Aurea Ana Palace Hotel — Hotel in Budapest

Do not book this hotel if what you're looking for is a 5 star experience.||The property itself is opulent and lovely to look at but that's the main selling point.||Cost wise, it was on the lower end of 5 star properties in Budapest, but still more expensive than the upper end 4 star properties, and in retrospect I believe those 4 star properties would've been a better stay.||The Bad:||The breakfast was very mediocre (I've had much better breakfasts in 4 star properties) and the made to order eggs is nothing special. The coffee at breakfast is absolutely horrid and there's no mention anywhere of any fresh coffee on the menu and no fresh coffee is offered by the servers.||The tea options are very poor with mostly fruit based or green tea. No black teas were there in the selection.||The spa area smells of sweat and damp and the floors are always wet with no one at the reception.||The mini bar is a pretty poor offering and they also don't restock things used.||Our room was 'cleaned' but every time something wasn't done properly. Dirty coffee cups left dirty. Only 1 face towel being replaced instead of 2.||Got room service one night and had a chicken sandwich and the basque cheesecake. The bottom bun of the sandwich was soggy from the tomatoes and inedible, and the cheesecake was below average.||Also, room service stops at 11pm, unlike the usual 5-star 24h room service where you still get limited room service overnight eg. light sandwiches/snacks, drinks etc. and also seems very limited in what they can offer even before that, as we asked if they had any black tea, since all what was available in the room was green tea and they said all they could offer was coffee.||A proper 5-star service should have a bellboy service round the clock to take your luggage for you up to your room. Not available here. There's only reception staff.||A 5-star hotel should also have a concierge who makes their presence felt in case the guests need anything extra eg. Restaurant recommendations, bookings etc. I don't believe there was a concierge at all.||Apart from the tiny coffee table in the room which is already full, there is no other place apart from the bed if ordering room service to enjoy it. ||The bed isn't a true king bed, but 2 single beds pushed together.||The Good:||The property is magnificent to look at and has a very regal feel to it. ||Not many young children running around and touching everything at the breakfast buffet, as it seems this hotel attracts mainly adults, or families with older children.||The breakfast room is a fantastic place to dine and the servers are all attentive, even if the breakfast itself is lacklustre.||The bathroom is spacious and has a rainfall shower as well as a large bathtub. ||The lounge/bar area seems like a nice place to relax/wait for check in and has live music on some evenings.||The location is fantastic. Steps away from parliament as well as the famous 'Shoes on the Danube'. Easily walkable to most attractions and very close to the metro and tram.||Would I stay again?...

Do not book this hotel if what you're looking for is a 5 star experience.

The property itself is opulent and lovely to look at.

Everything else is lacking.

Cost wise, it was on the lower end of 5 star properties in Budapest, but still more expensive than the upper end 4 star properties and in retrospect I believe those 4 star properties would've been a better stay.

The Bad:

The breakfast was very mediocre (I've had much better breakfasts in 4 star properties) and the made to order eggs is nothing special. The coffee at breakfast is absolutely horrid and there's no mention anywhere of any fresh coffee on the menu.

The tea options are very poor with mostly fruit based or green tea. No black teas were there in the selection.

The spa area smells of sweat and damp and the floors are always wet with no one at the reception.

The mini bar is a pretty poor offering and they also don't restock things used.

Our room was 'cleaned' but every time something wasn't done properly. Dirty coffee cups left dirty. Only 1 face towel being replaced instead of 2.

Got room service one night and had a chicken sandwich and the basque cheesecake. The bottom bun was soggy from the tomatoes and inedible, and the cheesecake was below average.

Also, room service stops at 11pm, unlike the usual 24h room service where you still get limited room service overnight eg. light sandwiches, drinks etc. and also seems very limited in what they can offer even before that, as we asked if they had any black tea, since all what was available in the room was green tea and they said all they could offer was coffee.

A proper 5-star service should have a bellboy service round the clock to take your luggage for you up to your room. Not available here. There's only reception staff.

A 5-star hotel should also have a concierge who makes their presence felt in case the guests need anything extra eg. Restaurant recommendations, bookings etc. I don't believe there was a concierge at all.

Apart from the tiny coffee table in the room which is already full, there is no other place apart from the bed if ordering room service to enjoy it.

The bed isn't a true king bed, but 2 single beds pushed together.

The Good:

The property is magnificent to look at and has a very regal feel to it.

The breakfast room is a fantastic place to dine and the servers are all attentive, even if the breakfast itself is lacklustre.

The bathroom is spacious and has a rainfall shower as well as a large bathtub.

The lounge/bar area seems like a nice place to relax/wait for check in and has live music on some evenings.

The location is fantastic. Steps away from parliament as well as the famous 'Shoes on the Danube'. Easily walkable to most attractions and very close to the metro and tram.

Would I stay again?...

Aurea Ana Palace Hotel – A Hidden Royal Gem in Budapest

We had a truly magnificent stay at the Aurea Ana Palace Hotel, nestled just a block or two from Hungary’s Parliament building. Though we’re not sure if it was literally once a palace, everything about it feels palatial—graceful, regal, and meticulously elegant.

Our Junior Suite was stately and spacious, complete with high ceilings, excellent fixtures, and even a separate room with a vanity and bath; aside from the two other WCs; one with shower. It featured a sitting roomcome with convertible couch for our adult son. The furnishings exude Old World charm, blended seamlessly with modern comfort.

The public spaces are breathtaking. Sweeping red-carpeted staircases, ornate chandeliers, and massive arched mirrors offer a sense of grandeur rarely found in modern hotels. The breakfast room could rival a royal ballroom, with frescoed ceilings and natural light streaming through tall windows. Breakfast itself was a daily delight—abundant, varied, and elegantly presented. Pastries like pogácsa and pikóta sat beside fresh fruit, cheeses, and more, presented with artistic flair. A cultured, well-groomed clientele made every morning feel like a gathering of fellow travelers, not tourists.

The cocktail hour was equally elegant, often accompanied by a fabulous pianist whose creativity and talent transformed the lobby into an intimate concert hall.

The spa facilities—by appointment—were flawless: a hot tub, cold plunge, starry-ceilinged steam room, and glass-walled sauna, with plenty of fresh towels and privacy. Everything was spotless, well-maintained, and relaxing.

Throughout our stay, the staff was exceptional—attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. There was always someone at the door greeting guests, adding both charm and a sense of security.

Just a half-block from the Danube promenade, you’re steps away from postcard views of Buda's hill and Royal Palace. The neighborhood is serene, lined with graceful buildings and quiet streets—ideal for evening strolls or an early-morning walk along the river.

And yet, despite all this elegance, the price was extremely reasonable for what you receive: luxury, location, history, and hospitality all wrapped into one.

Highly recommended. We'd return in...