Baltazar Hotel

Hotel review

The Baltazar Hotel, a relatively new addition to the Buda side of the Danube, already looks to be a great find. The hotel is nestled just behind the Fisherman’s Bastion inside the old castle fort; a perfect base for exploring historic Budapest with its winding, cobbled alleys and quaint little cafés awash with goulash and local artisan beers. Enjoy a relaxed meal on the hotel’s terrace looking over a beautiful little square. The terrace is well decorated with fairy lights and verdant bushes galore. The menu offers an interesting mix of traditional Hungarian staples (goulash soup followed by pike with parsley potatoes) and a more modern fusion style selection from the grill. The waiters are friendly and attentive. There are eleven individually art-themed rooms. Ours had wallpaper adorned with books and an artwork above the headboard comically mocking a Renaissance era oeuvre; an eclectic marriage of the old and the new. Tones of white, beige and brown soothed the eyes after the bright summer sunshine, complemented by the effective mood lighting and open plan bathroom. The walk in open shower was certainly a fun addition and L’Occitane products were a nice touch, along with the hairdryer and other amenities. The room was not hugely capacious, but certainly not to its detriment. Downstairs, by contrast, the bar, restaurant and reception areas boast sleek interiors; bold contrasts of black and red, leather and shine ooze style and modernity, quite distinct from the comfort that lies upstairs. It must be added that the cocktail menu is not to be overlooked, with some interesting alternatives to the usual suspects. The Baltazar should be top of the list for those looking for a romantic, tranquil and chic hotel in a stylish enclave of Buda.

Poppy Empson Review published: 31/10/2018