Golden Ball Club Hotel & Fitness

We enjoyed the spa on our weekend package. The pools, sauna and steam rooms were clean and kept at a comfortable temperature. Staff we dealt with mostly spoke English. The restaurant food looked good, and although we don't eat meat, the chef made us a tasty vegetable dish. We were a little confused by the package wording: we thought dinner and a bottle of wine were included both nights, but they were only included for one. Breakfast had plenty to choose from, including eggs, bacon, sausages, cereals, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, yogurt, pastries and toast. The coffee was decent, though plant milk wasn't available, so bring your own if you need it. The older furnishings in reception and the restaurant felt welcoming, and I personally liked the style. The hotel was clean, and it was handy being near the station and city centre. Free parking was another plus. I would've liked tea and coffee facilities in the room, but we were pleased with the stay and would come back.

The staff at reception were a bit slow, and they misread our booking several times. Still, we had a great stay. Our standard room was well above average for Hungary, and the gym could hold its own against a regular gym, let alone most hotel gyms. The wellness area is small but lovely, with two jacuzzis, a larger pool and clean, pleasant saunas. There was drinking water by the saunas, but no glasses to use. I'd recommend the hotel.

The squash courts, sauna and swimming pool are great. The rest of the place feels like it's been left in another era, with very dark rooms. I also couldn't work out how you were meant to get to the bar or restaurant.

The hotel itself isn't that bad, but the staff brought my rating down. They came across as lazy, incompetent and arrogant, with only a very basic command of languages other than Hungarian. I also felt they were prejudiced against guests from outside Hungary. I've met plenty of hotel and service staff while travelling, and this group was among the worst I've encountered. It doesn't surprise me that Orbán has so much strength in the country.