With a rich history and stunning architecture, Budapest is one of central Europe’s most amazing destinations.
Hungary’s capital city has endless energy, and you’ll find everything from a world-renowned classical music scene to nonstop nightlife. On my latest Hungarian adventure, it was all about the spas and Christmas market as I experienced the winter wonderland that is Budapest.
Looking to treat yourself and fall in love with central Europe? Check out my ultimate suite experience at The Ritz-Carlton Budapest.
Getting to Budapest
Nestled in the heart of Europe on the Danube, Budapest is easy to get to by train or plane from anywhere on the continent. By rail, it’s less than a three-hour, southeast ride from Vienna, Austria.
We arrived by train and left by plane.
The Ritz-Carlton Budapest provided a private chauffeured limousine service that picked us up and dropped us off, so transport was super easy.
The Hotel
Offering a breathtaking view of St. Stephen’s Basilica and the famous Erzsébet Square, this five-star hotel is located about a 15 minutes’ drive from the UNESCO World Heritage Buda Castle.
The Ritz-Carlton Budapest features 200 guest rooms, a full service spa, a first-class restaurant alongside two lounges, a fitness center, and an indoor pool; it is also within walking distance of some of Budapest’s greatest attractions.
The Chairman Suite
We stayed in the Chairman Suite and fell in love with the property. Our two-bedroom suite featured five-star touches at every corner: a spacious living room and dining area and a furnished balcony with a striking panoramic view of Hungary’s chicest street, Fashion Street.
Staying in the Chairman Suite also meant having a dedicated butler who was ready 24/7 to get us anything and everything we needed.
When staying in the Chairman Suite you get an in-suite dining experience, which was definitely a highlight for us. Our chef and sommelier prepared a four-course dinner with local Hungarian wine pairings. It was super romantic and the perfect introduction to the best of local cuisine (be sure to grab a bottle of Hungarian wine before you leave).
The suite experience also offers exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge access. This is the place to go for a full breakfast, all-day snacks, and drinks.
A private chauffeur was also included during our time staying in The Ritz-Carlton Budapests’ Chairman Suite. This was incredibly handy. We only had two days in the city, and having a private driver meant that we could easily get around to much of Budapest in the little time we had.
After a whirlwind tour of the city, we had the rejuvenating spa treatment that was included in the room. I went for the Royal Palace Ritual, which was a 130-minute-long treatment featuring exfoliation and hot stones, while Meyer got the 90-minute deep tissue massage.
The full experience includes a private tour, a five-star two-bedroom suite, spa treatments, transfers, and lounge access.
Tip: As far as splurges go, The Ritz-Carlton Budapest Chairman Suite is around 5,600 euros per night total.
The Food
The food at The Ritz-Carlton is the ultimate culinary experience. There are four different dining options; the Kupola Lounge for breakfast and tea, the Kupola Bar for happy hour and bites, Cake Stories for baked goods and the main restaurant, Deak St. Kitchen.
Deak St. Kitchen uses the best of local ingredients to create exquisite Hungarian dishes. Accompany your meal with a great selection of Hungarian beer and wines. You can choose to sit in the elegant inside dining room or the relaxed outside terrace.
What to Do
Check out the view from Fisherman’s Bastion and Gellért Hill. Take a tour of Budapest’s ruin bars. Walk around the city’s public plaza, Heroes’ Square.
From there head to the famous Széchenyi thermal bath! Budapest is famous for thermal baths and this one is absolutely incredible. Admire the architecture at the Vajdahunyad Castle.
Be sure stop at the world famous New York Cafe a.k.a. “the most beautiful café in the world” for a hot chocolate.
Stroll along the Danube and then finish your day watching the sunset from St. Stephen’s Basilica. When the sun goes down, the Christmas Markets come out! Stick around for the incredible light show in front of St. Stephen’s.
If you’re looking for the ultimate VIP experience, you have to check out The Ritz-Carlton Budapest.
Read More: How to Spend 48 Hours in Budapest in the Winter
More Information
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton Budapest
Location: City Center, Budapest, Hungary
Accommodation: Luxury
Price Range: $$$$
Thanks to The Ritz-Carlton Budapest for hosting me during my stay. As always, thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Love this post and this site! Your travels are fascinating!
I love luxury holidays, My last trip was to a wellnesshotel in South Tyrol, that was great!