Our first visit to Budapest we stayed at the art'otel on the Buda side. Great location with easy access to public transportation and many sites walkable. Upgraded to a river view and although the traffic noise was noticible (we slept with the windows open) I always travel with earplugs and that made a big difference. Although our room was a little on the worn side and could use a coat of paint, it was very large by European standards. Comfortable and clean. The staff was great and the reception area employees were very attentive to our requests and needs. We booked through a travel agency and received free daily breakfast which was wonderful. We enjoy starting the day with a big breakfast, a light lunch and a small supper. Just a lovely stay with a great view from our room of the Parliment Building. Interesting enough, the featured hotel artist is from Asheville, NC just 2 hours from where we live. We would definitely stay here again.

We stopped here for 4 dats last Feb and it was ok. We had to move from first room because of a terrible smell. The location of the hotel is ok and not far from the local undergorund which is a perfect way of getting around. Lovely views of the Danube from our room ( at night, looks grim in the day lol). Hotel bar is a bit pretentious and the lady behind the bar thinks she belongs on the screen when in fact she should be locked away lol

Just got back from a 5 day work trip to Budapest. I normally stay in The Boscolo (ridiculously ornate, o.t.t. 'Louis the Fairground' type of place) but thought i'd try this hotel on the recommendation of a Hungarian friend. I had a river view room. It was tired and scruffy, badly in need of refurbishment (which in fairness was taking place elsewhere, as the screaming drills and frantic hammering from 8.30am testified) but the view over to the Hungarian parliament was very pleasant. In fact location is the best thing about the hotel, it's set in the older part of Buda, tucked under the castle and it's very enjoyable to wander around the empty, wintry streets past tiny, no-frills bars where locals sit in heated discussion on volatile local politics.
The rest of the hotel reflects the same tired and scruffy feel, the regular restaurant was shut for refurbishment and the open bar/cafe had as much atmosphere as a library in a crypt.
But the food was surprisingly good. I'm not normally a fan of Hungarian fare, but this was well cooked and presented, especially the scallops and steak on hot stone.
There is what's laughingly called a Fitness room, which takes the prize of the smallest gym I've ever been in; a step machine, fixed bike and small multi gym leave no room to even do a thorough warm up.
The staff were generally very pleasant and helpful though and that makes for a strong foundation for the future and the breakfast was excellent.
So perhaps i'm being a little unfair, it's certainly very good value for money as the Fiorent is weak against the pound at the moment and I will be interested to see what it's like when fully refurbished. I'd certainly stay there again though, if just for the location.

I stayed here with my son (then aged 5) when I visited Budapest for a weekend at half term. I booked it on the basis of the relatively reasonable price and apparently good location. I was not disappointed - we had a stunning view of Castle Hill from our larger than average room. The bed was comfortable and bathroom clean (though the furnishings of the room were perhaps a touch worn).

On arrival check in was quick and official and we were assigned our room ahead of the stated check in time having taken an early morning flight. We were offered a 'special deal' for breakfast which I further negotiated down in the case of my son who has a modest appitite (this was better than the deal available when booking on line). The restuarant was nicely decorated and selction quite decent.

We got an airport bus that stops at different hotels on demand when coming into town but I was delighted with the access to transport. Trams on the doorstep, a metro just 300 metres away and the walking options numerous to see many of this cities splendid sites. The view even as you step out the door was across the river towards the Parliament Building.

Eating places were also easy to find within walking distance as well as small shops to buy things like drinking water (typically marked up 10 times or more in the hotel).

The lobby had free Internet which is always welcome (I cannot remember about wi-fi). The hotel gave me a voucher to spend in the bar (10 Euro) but I did not use it as really there was no time.

Staff were mostly pleasent and helpopful - a discrepancy with the bill over the deal offered on arrival was resolved without any fuss.

Overall as good and probably better than I would have expected - would recommend.