The Magazine Hotel & Apartments

Step out of the hotel and you’re right at St. Stephen Basilica square, with the Basilica in front of you and everything close by. The location is perfect for a quick getaway, and the rooms and hotel have been nicely renovated. Staff were nice during my few-day stay. Room 1 was small, but enough for two. The only drawback was a sewage smell that came through now and then, so I had to keep the bathroom door shut.

The location was amazing and the apartment spacious, but it was in poor condition. The sofa was broken, and the curtains were too small to block the daylight coming in at 5:30 am. We had booked a family room at the hotel, then were sent to a place called “Rumor Apartments,” three floors above the actual hotel. With no reception or staff on site, check-in was confusing and self-service. We left after the first night, even though we’d prepaid for four, rather than risk our yearly family holiday. I reported the problems, but so far haven’t received meaningful support.

Waking up to the view of St Stephen’s Basilica was a treat for a few mornings, and the small extra charge for a room facing it felt worthwhile. Still, the windows could use an update, as they have several wide stanchions. Noise comes with the location, especially on weekends, though I expected it and slept fine. The Basilica bells start every 15 minutes from 6am. In a city known for partying, inconsiderate guests can also be an issue, especially with the front desk closing at 8pm each night. The room had tea and coffee, but they weren’t replenished. Housekeeping came daily, though it felt half-hearted: one bin wasn’t emptied, dishes stayed, and the floors weren’t swept. It was more rearranging than cleaning. The queen bed had two twin-sized comforters, which felt like absurd cost-cutting. I’d pick somewhere else in peak tourist season, when the neighboring square stays lively long after I want to sleep.

The room was good and the location great, but the noise was too much, including that damn church bell.