Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 297

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Located in the heart of Pest, just off Deák tér,
this slick German-run hotel, opened in 1992, has quickly earned a reputation as the
hotel of choice for corporate visitors to Budapest (and also big-act musicians—
Madonna, Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan have all stayed here).
The building itself is, at least from the outside, a cement behemoth, one of a number
of ugly new buildings marring this neighborhood (though the recent reconstruction
of nearby Erzsébet tér has made the immediate neighborhood a lot nicer). On the
inside, however, the decor is modern sleek German and everything is quietly and
unmistakably luxurious. The rooms are as well appointed as one might expect from
such a hotel, and soundproof windows shield guests from the noise of the busy traffic
below. Temporary art exhibitions line the walls, and the hotel has an impressive art
and antiques collection. The impressive spa was renovated in early 2005, and trans-
ports guests to Asia with its authentic Tjai masseuses and Asian-accented rooms. It
includes a fitness room, massage rooms, a solarium, steam baths, a sauna, a pool, and
a number of other features. Rooms are equipped with up-to-date technology, includ-
ing mobile Internet connections. The hotel has a number of excellent restaurants and
its American-style buffet breakfast (not included in the rate) is exceptional. Almost
half the rooms are smoke-free.
V. Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest. & 800/426-3135 in North America, 00800/426-313-55 in Britain, or
1/429-3777. Fax [phone]. www.kempinski-budapest.com. 365 units. 260 € -450 € ($312-$540) double;

570 € -2,600 € ($684-$3,120) suite. VAT not included. Children 12 and under stay free in parent's room. Breakfast

($32) extra. AE, MC, V. Parking 7,000 Ft ($35/£18) per day. Metro: Deák tér (all lines). Amenities: 3 restaurants;
2 bars; indoor swimming pool; sauna; exercise room; concierge; car-rental desk; business center; conference facilities;
shops; salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry service; dry cleaning; rooms for those w/limited mobility. In room:
A/C, satellite TV w/pay movies, high-speed Internet access, minibar, hair dryer, safe, separate shower, robe, 2 phones.
Expensive
K & K Hotel Opera Operated by the Austrian K & K hotel chain, this
tasteful, elegant establishment opened in 1994 and expanded in 1998. A complete
renovation was completed in September 2005, and the hotel is a few steps above most
of the city's other four-star hotels. Directly across the street from the Opera House in
central Pest, the hotel building blends nicely with the surrounding architecture. The
interior design is now even pleasing, with an understated elegance. The hotel is on a
quiet residential street, and the soundproof windows in the guest rooms keep out
street noise. A tastefully decorated bar/cafe/restaurant echoes the Asian touches found
throughout the hotel. The staff is uniformly friendly and helpful, even when inun-
dated with groups. This hotel is not only within close proximity of the Opera House,
but is also right near Budapest's theater district. Half of the rooms are now nonsmok-
ing, but there are no wheelchair-accessible rooms.
VI. Révay u. 24, 1065 Budapest. & 1/269-0222. Fax [phone]. www.kkhotels.com. 205 units. 168 € ($201) sin-
gle; 209

27 €

Value

($12).
Metro: Opera (Yellow line). Amenities: Exercise room; sauna; tour desk; car rental; business center; massage; babysit-
ting; laundry service; currency exchange; Internet corner. In room:A/C, TV, high-speed Internet connection, minibar,
coffeemaker, hair dryer, safe.
Moderate
City Panzió Pilvax Opened in 1997, this is one of three Inner City pensions
owned by the Taverna Hotel group, which also owns the large Hotel Taverna on Váci
utca. The staff is friendly and the rooms are clean and functional, but this place lacks
the charm found in many of the pensions in the Buda Hills. It costs a bit more than
the Buda Hills pensions, too, but the location is obviously what you are paying for.

($250) double; 336 ($403) suite. Rates include breakfast. VAT included. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking 15

€ € €