Comfort, Style and Convenience at Pullman Budapest

My first trip ever to the enchanting city of Budapest, which was decades overdue, was enhanced immeasurably by my first stay, coincidentally, at a Pullman property. I had also long wanted to experience Pullman – the lifestyle and arts brand of Accor, the largest hospitality company in Europe – and Pullman Budapest was the perfect introduction. 

First impressions matter, and Pullman Budapest’s bold, contemporary design captivates from the moment one enters. The striking reception area beckons, but attention quickly wanders to the adjacent, richly decorated lobby niches as well. The stunning pieces of art on the walls, as well as the sleek, casually elegant, front-and-center bar, all signal that your stay at Pullman will be invigorating and far from boring. 

Check-in, handled by friendly and professional front-desk staff, was a breeze. And the reward of free welcome drinks at the bar – a nice perk of certain levels of membership in the All Accor loyalty program – made the experience that much more pleasurable. 

Advantageous Location

Pullman Budapest is not in the area of the metropolis where most of the city’s leading hotels are concentrated – but this is not a disadvantage. The property is in the heart of a quiet residential neighborhood, yet still in easy walking distance to many of the major sightseeing attractions (St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament, and more) – and closer still to classy Andrassy Avenue, one of the three areas places specified by name in the reasons Budapest was recognized as a collective UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Not least importantly, the hotel is just a five-minute stroll to the Metro station at the Hungarian National Opera House, and thus very convenient for accessing the city’s extremely efficient public transport system. Consisting of interconnecting subway trains, trams, and buses, the mass transit network will quickly and easily whisk visitors anywhere they want to go.

One of the routes of this system is in itself an attraction: trolley line #2, which meanders along the banks of the legendary Danube River. The Budapest Card will save you money on transportation – and more bargains – and seniors above the age of 65 travel for free throughout the BKK system. 

By the way, one does not even need to resort to public conveyances to get to a variety of places to eat in Budapest. The leisurely saunter from the hotel to the Opera subway station takes one past a row of inviting cafés and restaurants. 

Deluxe Accommodations and Amenities 

The 136 inviting guest units in the hotel comprise rooms, suites, and lofts, providing every amenity and comfort that one might expect from a hotel in the category defined as Premium by Accor. Each unit in the eight categories of room and/or suite is furnished with comfortable king-sized beds; electronically controlled lights and climate control with easy to recognize symbols; large flat screen television with multi-channel and multi-lingual programming; laptop-sized electronic safe for valuables; and refreshment corner with complimentary mineral water (still and sparkling), mini-refrigerator/minibar, espresso machine and electric kettle for making tea.

In addition, free WiFi extends to all guest rooms, as well as public spaces. One interesting touch was that there is even an umbrella in guest rooms (as opposed to being stationed in the lobby). The entire property is smoke-free. 

Bathrooms are fastidiously clean, with spacious shower stalls equipped with dual shower heads, separate toilet cabinets for extra privacy, pampering C. O. Bigelow toiletries, and hair dryers. In fact, Pullman provides more amenities than the usual assortment – a sleep mask, to name just one. Plush monogrammed robes and matching slippers complement the thirsty bath towels. 

For those craving indoor exercise in addition to walking around and exploring the fascinating Hungarian capital, there is a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment, open 24/7. There are no saunas or whirlpool baths yet, although a spa is in the works for the future (and one suite boasts a jacuzzi-style tub on its porch). 

On-site parking is also available – although there is really no need to rent a car during the days you are staying in the city, since not only is public transport convenient, but taxi/Uber service is quick and fares are cheap. Pullman Budapest is pet-friendly, and there are also accessible rooms for wheelchair guests.

Dining at Pullman Budapest 

As noted, there is an attractive bar in the lobby, which doubles as a coffee shop, serving snacks and light meals. The premises is also home to Tutto Restaurant, whose cuisine is described as “infused with American and Italian influences.”

Breakfast is a real treat here, with a lavish buffet served from early morning until 10.30 a.m., and even 11.00 on weekends. The more than ample spread includes hot and cold foods, eggs made-to-order, an unusually large selection of fruit juices, and unlimited refills of coffee. There are also healthy choices, including even sugar-free and gluten-free options. 

One final observation about dining that applies not only to the hotel, but also to Budapest in general. Restaurants do not stay open late, and if you prefer a late supper, it is hard to find a place whose kitchen remains open after 9.30-10.00 p.m. We discovered by chance that a small, friendly Cuban eatery right next door to the hotel does serve very tasty food late at night. We did not come to Hungary to eat Cuban food, but it is still a rare enough find in Europe to qualify as a special culinary experience. 

Rates at Pullman Budapest start at just under $150 per night for a couple (not including breakfast), and are adjusted slightly higher during peak tourism season. Members of the aforementioned All Accor loyalty program enjoy a 10% discount on published rates, as well as other benefits and deals. 

Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.

Text and photos by Buzzy Gordon, who was a guest of the hotel for purposes of review. As always, the opinions expressed are his own.