City Hotel Matyas Budapest — Hotel in Budapest

On September 22, 2025, the taxi driver who brought us from the airport showed us the entrance to the City Hotel Matyas, a heavy rusty iron door. It also had a tasteless sign very high up, which you don’t see at first glance. We pushed the door open and found ourselves in front of a high-ceilinged dark corridor, with faded walls and a damaged floor. Ten steps preceded it, worn by the weather. Obviously, this is a 19th-century building.|We moved along the dark corridor and suddenly on the left we saw a light and a tasteless sign that read “Reception”. We followed the light and another very narrow corridor led us after many turns to a room, where there was indeed a counter that read “Reception”. We were greeted by an employee who checked our reservation and explained where our room was.|So we went back to the original dark hallway, climbed more worn and dirty stairs and arrived at a door with bars. To open the door we had to dial the code the employee gave us on the keypad. Then the door with bars opened and we found ourselves in front of a very dirty elevator. We went inside, went up to the second floor, and there another door on the left was waiting for the electronic key. We entered a hallway again, bright and clean this time but with a strong smell of cigarettes. We searched for the room and finally found it. At least this one was clean.|The next morning we started to have breakfast. The hotel employee had informed us that breakfast was served on... the fourth floor. So we took the dirty elevator again and went up to the fourth floor. But there we encountered closed doors and no sign of a restaurant. While searching, we discovered a bilingual sign that informed us that breakfast was served in... the next building.|We got back on the dirty elevator, went down to the ground floor, went to the “Reception” and complained to the employee, who informed us that by following another corridor, we would end up in another elevator, cleaner than the previous one, which would take us to the fourth floor, where the famous breakfast was served.|Indeed, they served us breakfast in two very old rooms, with tables without tablecloths and very stale bread.|The same inconvenience was repeated the next day, with the difference that on the door of the second “clean” elevator we discovered a new sign that politely apologized for the malfunction. In other words, to eat our second breakfast we were forced to climb four floors of stairs!|On the third day in the morning we ran out of this miserable building, where no one was interested in changing us...

The outside of the building is impressive, lovely old doorways and windows etc. The location is great for sightseeing etc|The bed was comfy and the room was clean. However the interior of the hotel needs some renovation. |The reception area seems to be from 1980s and lacks any character at all. The guy who welcomed us was helpful, chatty and friendly. However all other reception staff didn't even get eye contact, let alone say a ' hello' as we passed through. ||The stair case was tatty, dark and old. Flickering lights with sensors came on as we walked from floor to floor. The lift worked reliably but could only fit 1 person and a suitcase in. Plaster was off the walls in some pĺaced too. It has clealy been beautiful at some point, but now feels rather intimidating. ||My husband found the outdoor balcony/corridor from the stairs to our room quite terrifying! We were on 5th floor amd the old wrought iron fence along the edge of the walkways did not give reassurance of safety. The drop down was a long drop... not great if you are scared of heights.||The bedroom was clean and reasonable, but very dated ... 1980s since they were last 'done' I suspect. No kettle or tea making facilities. There was a tiny travel size hairdryer. The bathroom was similar in style. Struggled to get more than lukewarm water in the small shower. But all was clean. ||Breakfast was basic. We struggled with the food at breakfast. Rock hard pastries, bread but no toaster. No English breakfast tea available, which is usually pretty standard in hotels nowadays, I dont like coffee so no warm drinks for me! We ate in once, then went elsewhere. ||The hotel clearly could be beautiful, with lots of original decor and features. It needs a lot of TLC to make that happen. Its a budget hotel that feels like an aged b&b or motel. Get what you pay for, I suppose! However ... we won't be returning to tgat hotel. But would...

I stayed here in the autumn with my girlfriend for a romantic Budapest city break. First impressions of the outside of the building and the foyer / reception was good but not spectacular. The hotel looks a little dated but the public areas was very clean.

The reception staff were very good and pleasant. Some were multilingual and all that I met spoke very good English. Some reception staff spoke German as well as French but I think French was probably the weaker of the languages they spoke from my observation.

The Hotel operates from a historic building full of charm and quirks which I loved but I feel that the amount of steps will be difficult for those with mobility for issues. I would not characterize this as suitable for people in wheelchairs.

The room I had was big for the price and very clean. Basic furniture but it was all in good condition and clean. One of the best showers i've had in a hotel it was very hot and powerfull. The bed was firm just how I like it and low almost like a futon. Because it was autumn time in October we had the heating on and it was great. Rooms were warm with radiators to hang our damp clothes after being caught in the rain a few times. A lot of rooms face a court yard area like our one did so not an amazing view. Some rooms may have a view of the Elizabeth Bridge which is literally 50 Meter away.

The location is very good close to the Danube river and Elizabeth Bridge. A number of tram stations and metro lines nearby. The main shopping and tourist street Vaci Utca is just around the corner and a few hundred meters away is the Central Market.

I didn't have breakfast, lunch or dinner at the hotel on my stay but Budapest has so many good restaurants and Cafe's it's a...