Hotel Gellert Budapest

Well past its prime

Although this hotel was once the happening place to stay in Budapest, I found the hotel remarkably run down, overpriced and poorly maintained. The rooms were small--roughly 10 by 10 feet, without a desk or other business-related ammenities. The bathroom had a single 45 watt bulb well behind the sink making shaving very difficult if not dangerous. The water pressure in the room barely created a stream of water from the rusty faucety. The green tiled shower, the burnt orange tiled floor and the moth-eaten brown curtains further enforced the fact that this hotel was in major need of renovation. The restaurant was poor and the front desk uninterested in assisting foreigners. I could never in good conscience recommend this hotel to a friend.

A pleasant experience

The hotel is certainly the most ornate I've ever stayed in. I liked its position by the river and it is close enough to sights, shopping and public transport. My room was comfortable, clean and had a balcony overlooking the Danube. The breakfast was fine. The hotel though not shabby is a little frayed around the edges, but I found this endearing rather than offputting. The baths and changing areas are very old and worn, but an interesting experience none the less. I ate in the brasserie - perfectly good meal at a reasonable price. The small bar is well stocked and pleasant, and service overall was attentive and helpful. For 66 euros a night I thought I got excellent value for my money.

An experience not to be missed !

I stayed in the Gellert for one night last week, and was sorry it was not for longer. The whole experience was wonderful, from beginning to end. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and our room was beautiful, with an amazing view of the Danube, and a large bathroom. The breakfast the next morning was gorgeous. The best part of the stay though, had to be the baths - it really is an experience not to be missed, and the convenience of the private lift is great. We found the location very good, both for restaurants in the area, and for the Danube cruise at night. I would highly recommend this hotel.

Gellert & baths

Gellert

The once glorious Gellert is a shadow of its former past, superseded by more modern convenient, centrally located hotels on the Pest side of the Danube. But I wanted to experience the remnants of this once glorious past and fantasise of that decadent age, and I wasn't disappointed.

However, the practicalities of staying in such a hotel diminish from the pleasure of the experience. I'd like to point out the courtyard view is a marketers way of saying you look into a small quadrangle surrounded by other rooms, as is the case of many other hotels. There is no view at all. It is not a courtyard as you would imagine one to be as in an old coaching inn. Their terminology is misleading. The lack of air conditioning in summer is uncomfortable. You sit and sweat.

The main reason for staying in the Gellert is to experience the baths. There is a private lift with operator which takes you directly to the baths and the operator gives you your pass and points you in the right direction. The baths are wonderful and so is the private lift, but be ready to be exposed to the public in your Gellert robe as soon as you exit the lift. No one looks at you but you imagine they do.

Located in Buda near Gellert Hill the hotel is not conveniently positioned for going out by foot in the evening as there is not much of interest in the evening nearby. Once you have mastered the excellent transport system travel throughout the city is easy, without resorting to taxis. For a short stay (recommended) the hotel's Bistro and restaurant are well worth a visit.

It all comes down to price and value. Whereas, I was disappointed with the room's size, view and lack of temperature control I might have been better paying more for a better room. The en-suit facilities were adequate. The breakfast and breakfast room were excellent, as was the lobby and architecture of the building as a whole. The restaurant's terrace, food and service were divine, spoiled only by the head waiter standing over me as if he had something to hide, while I checked the bill, maybe he had, as I was intimidated to quickly sign my room number. The Bistro Bar is a good place for a snack and/or a drink, surprising for a hotel bar. Whenever you had to deal with a member of "The Gellert's" staff you felt that it was their privilege to serve you

Overall "The Gellert" is an experience not to be missed. The room is pricey for what you get, especially considering Hungary's cost structure. I paid the same for the 5* Intercontinental, but there I didn't get the baths or the classic architecture or superb service.

Terrible

Terrible experience.

Very shabby and outworn. Old communistic flair.

Furniture like from bulky refuse, carpets with holes,...

Stuff not friendly and not helpful.

The famous baths a catastrophe.

But very expensive.

I will never go back and will use another hotel the next time in budapest.

Greeat character and charm - not to be missed

What a relief to see that the true character and charm of the Gellert Hotel has not been lost. You can stay in many Budapest Hotels which have more luxury but none of them can compare with the greatness of this hotel. It is still like going back in time and congratulations must go the those who make the decisions in preserving the character of this hotel. Things have changed grealty in Hungary, thank good ness the Gellert stays the same. Without doubt it is one of the great hotels of the world. Rooms, staff, services, spa baths etc you can read about anywhere. Just go and believe this place for the pure charm and character.

Stayed for the experience, will go elsewhere for comfort

Was travelling on business and excited to stay at the historic Gellert Hotel. My room was one of the smallest I have seen in a European hotel, kind of shabby as well. Also along with many other rooms, windows opened on a courtyard with some kind of disco party going on all night several nights in a row. The staff was friendly but not helpfull. I asked for a room away from the noise and was told to "ask again tomorrow". How do I buy concert tickets? "Ask us later". How do i arrange a cab to the airport? "Ask later". Lobby gift shop and pastery shop never open while I was there. Resturants and bar were nice though, as well as the famous thermal baths. Dont miss those.

Has seen better days

The Gellert is a beautiful old hotel from a former age, but at the same time is in need up updating. The dining room is drab and unairconditioned (yet the food and service were excellent). Apparently some (or perhaps all) of the rooms are undergoing renovation, but mine had not yet been renovated and was reminiscent of the communist era (or earlier). Fluorescent lights are de rigeur so ambience is a little wanting. The breakfast (included with my room) left a lot to be desired. Hungary is rivaled perhaps only by France for the excellence of its pastries yet the Gellert did not come through. Pools and spas are a great deal for outsiders and included for guests. A must see/experience. Massages and other services are very inexpensive; flipside: you must endure 60+ year old facilities/locker rooms. Main pool areas are timeless and very clean (natural thermal spring feeds pool continually so no need for chlorination). I'd probably go back and would recommend for first timers, but still think the hotel needs work.

Fantastic hotel!

Stayed at the Gellert in Jan 2004 for only one night, but wished we could have stayed for longer. This place just oozes character and from the moment we checked in the staff were fantastic (let us check in 3 hours early, sorted out taxis and take-away breakfast because we had an early flight the next morning). The room was great but the really superb thing about the Gellert are the ornate thermal baths that guests can use for free. Take advantage of them - the perfect way to wind down if you've been travelling.

Danubius Hotel Gellert: Pros and Cons

I have stayed at the Gellert a few times. The hotel is in an exellent location, directly across the street from the river. Excellent public transport also. The hotel is a grand old hotel. The interior is very nice. The staff at the front desk is very helpful, friendly, but overly so. The buffet breakfast is served in a beautiful dinning room on the second floor. Plenty to eat so you won't go hungry. The staff in the dinning room, again, friendly, but didn't see too many smiles on their faces. Now, the rooms, I book a single, and going to the room is like walking down a corridor looking like jail cells. Very non descript corridor with large white doors for entry into each room. The rooms VERY small. about enough room to turn around in, small TV, and very small bathroom. Adequate, but if you are a big person you may feel a little hemmed in. Now the good news, the famous Gellert baths, is included in the room rate. This should not be missed. It is well worth the stay just to take advantage of the baths themselves. Not to be missed. The next time I travel to Budapest I will probably look for a different hotel, the room, well again, too small, or maybe I am just getting to big.