When we booked the Agro Panorama for our first trip to Hungary we wanted a combination of price and location to fit a fairly low budget without going as far as shared accommodation or facilities. It fitted our requirements admirably with a pre-booked transfer getting us from the airport in 30 minutes, and the initial impression of the room being clean with good facilities, if a little “tired” and in need of refurbishment. The only disappointment was that the room had twin beds although we had booked a double. We were told that a double was available, but would not have the panoramic view over the city. Unusually, our room looked exactly like a picture on the hotel’s website, but what the website does not fully do justice to is the magnificent view over the city once the mist and cloud has lifted. To enjoy the location even more, there is even a binocular telescope on the fifth floor patio adjacent to the restaurant.

What soon became apparent was the peace and solitude of the hotel’s location. From our fourth floor balcony we could hear the sound of people walking through the autumn leaves below, and there were none of the usual early morning noises from the housekeepers.

Breakfast was perfectly adequate by continental standards – a choice of two fruit juices (different each day) with a range of breads, hams and cheeses with a choice of hot or cold sausages. A selection of teas with fresh lemon juice as an alternative to milk along with hot chocolate and coffee option would satisfy most people, but be aware that the “full English” option is not available, but perhaps should not be expected from 1000 miles away!

We had opted for the “half board” meal option which is provided “as is” but items were willingly substituted to cope with dislikes and allergies. We found that this gave us an insight into Hungarian cuisine that we did not previously have.

Budapest probably has one of the best integrated public transport systems in Europe. It is cheap, efficient and well used by the locals. They claim that you are never more than 400m. from a public transport stop an that is probably true. There is a choice of bus stops within 5 minutes walk from the hotel, one downhill and the other uphill but through a lovely hillside forest area that is used for skiing in the winter. It takes 20 minutes to reach the city, and we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to arrive.

Prices in Budapest are surprisingly cheap for a capital city – a decent bottle of Hungarian wine in the hotel restaurant cost the equivalent of £6, and coffee and cake for two in an Austrian style “konditorei” near to the castle cost less than £5. Petrol is 70p a litre. Most bar prices were on a par with buying from UK supermarkets and the ubiquitous McDonalds cheeseburger costs less than £1 for two.

Overall our exploratory trip to Budapest has given us a taste to go back, but sadly the Agro Panorama has been sold and early next year will probably be a residential care home.

The hotel was 50mins from airport and 20 mins bus ride into moscow square were you can join the metro and the main tram system. deffinatley not for the elderly or unfit, but the view was excellent from the top floor. The room we were given was grubby and was on the back ,not a pretty view of unkept gardens. We asked to move but the manager said they were fully booked ? more like couldnt be bothered as i dont think we saw more than 50 people the three days. Drinks etc are expensive and not so good and the entertainment non existant in fact ive seen more life in a tramps vest !!. breakfast was ok but the coffee was awful. Dont exchange money there either they gave 360 florints to 1 gb pound in town 400 with no commission.Dont book taxis either its a rip off it costs 3600 florints from airport and they will book a taxi back from hotel to airport at 7500 florints.If you wander around the corner on the main road youl find a small no frills cafe bar its no very pretty but drinks, coffee etc are cheap and your made welcome. Were informed that this hotel is closing its doors as a hotel soon and is to become a old folks home !!! i couldnt stop laughing , i couldnt envisage sending my granny there .it will be more like a prison for them but at least they wont be able to wander far. All in all we made the trip good and had a day in slovakia, catch the 10.05 train to komaron then just a walk over the bridge into slovakia its a beautifull town but the main street is under construction, its cost 2200 florints return but make sure you get a ticket before getting on the train or youl get ripped off also dont buy drinks on the train they ask 900 florints for a can of beer and they are only 125 in the shop. if you want buy anything go to the main market in town its aboslutley amazing and great value, if you smoke english cigarettes are 5500 florints and plentyful. The boat trip on the river is intresting too and good value. Great sights and intresting, pity the hotel wasnt. have fun johnny.

Myself and my boyfriend stayed at the Hotel Agro in July and we had a great time, the hotel is really good value for money and was definately better than we had expected. The staff were very helpful and spoke very good english. The room was clean and had great views of the city.

The only problem with this hotel was the location, it is very far out of the main city centre, but a reliable bus service does run regularly, i would not reccommend this hotel if you are planning to visit Budapest for the nightlife as buses stop running at about 11 and the area can get abit rough at nightime.

However the hotel is lovely and i would definately reccommend it. We are planning to visit Budapest again later in the year and are certainly considering Hotel Agro again!

Once we had managed to find our way around the transport system, this hotel was very convenient for getting into the city. Perched high on the Buda Hills, it had beautiful views over the city. Staff were very helpful. Breakfast adequate although items ran out because of huge numbers of tour groups. Rooms were basic but comfortable and clean.