Gróf Degenfeld Castle Hotel **** Superior

The staff were very kind, the location has amazing views, and our VIP suite with a balcony was fantastic. The pool was good and the service great. We were a little disappointed by the half-board dinner. It wasn’t a buffet, as is customary at hotels offering half board. Instead, we had to choose from the menu, and some dishes required an extra fee.

It’s a nice place to visit, but we were really disappointed when staff refused to serve us drinks on the restaurant terrace. They said they needed to focus on hotel guests, even though only one table was occupied and the terrace wasn’t busy. The receptionist was nice and keen to sell us unopened bottles, but that didn’t make up for the situation.

I’ve worked in catering for 37 years, and it’s hard to impress me. Everything was high quality, from the location and cleanliness to the food, wine, and pairings. To me, it was better than a one-star Michelin experience. Still, I don’t think the estate needs to chase that status. It could cost them the homey feeling and relaxed atmosphere. I’ve travelled all over the world, and this is somewhere I’d have loved to own, open, or run. If you’re visiting Hungary and have time for the Tokaj region, it’s a perfect place to stay and belongs on your bucket list. They also pair dessert wines with main courses here, as people did long ago. Wow, it’s an authentic experience worth trying.

The site has an incredibly rich history, and the staff’s knowledge of it is something else. The service is very polished. I hope to visit again when I get the chance.