Budapest is a city filled with charm, beautiful architecture, and history. One thing I try to do in every city I stay in is make sure the place I lay my head is a good representation of the city I’m in. I like the accommodations I’m staying in to be a good embodiment of the character and “personality” of the destination, so to speak. The Marriott Executive Apartments did this a little bit with the classic décor, but for the most part it was a basic hotel with the standard look and amenities. The reason I stayed at the Marriott Executive Apartments was because I was able to get a good price.
It’s a comfortable, clean place to stay and it’s in a great location, which are probably the most important things about a hotel, but it just didn’t have that “oomph” I was looking for. Here are some of my impressions of my stay there:
For the most part, the front desk staff was friendly. Because of the way I booked my package, I had to book three nights in the hotel even though I only needed to stay for one. I very boldly asked Sandor at the front desk if I could have free breakfast the following day since I wouldn’t be using my other two room nights. Instead of laughing in my face (which is probably what I would have done), he graciously agreed. So that was nice and the breakfast was good. Standard hotel breakfast, nothing traditionally Hungarian, but good.
The rooms are extremely spacious, just as the name suggests—they’re apartments. There is a nice kitchen area, sitting area, bedroom, and bathroom. The air conditioning worked but it didn’t get as chilly as I like it at night.
Again I’ll mention that it is in a great location, which is the number one most important aspect of a place to stay for me at least. It’s walking distance to Liberty Bridge, tons of great restaurants, historical buildings, and cathedrals.
Something I will mention–and I hope anyone thinking of staying there has made it this far in reading my post—I would steer clear of using the hotel’s public restroom. It’s on the second floor near the conference rooms and I was directed there one morning when I asked where they were before leaving for a day of sightseeing.
Video tour of my apartment at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Budapest:
The conference floor was completely empty except for me. I think it was a weekend. I used the restroom and when I tried to leave the stall the door was stuck. It wasn’t a normal size stall either. It wasn’t even big enough for me to outstretch my arms on either side and the door went from floor to ceiling instead of having a space on either side.
I hip-checked the door, jiggled the handle, pounded on it, and it wouldn’t budge. It was actually quite scary. Thankfully I had my phone with me and had had it set up to work while traveling internationally, because I called the front desk to help me. But lots of people wouldn’t have had their phones or had it set up to work in the case of emergencies. I don’t know what I would have done—probably spent the day and night sitting on a toilet. Scary stuff.
When it was time for me to leave the hotel, the front desk was very fast and efficient at helping me get a cab.
Overall, my stay was good, despite my brief bathroom entrapment. I’d probably stay again if I found another can’t-be-beat deal, otherwise I’d look for a historic or boutique hotel.
Until Next Time,
CAITLYN WITHOUT A COMPASS
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