Hotel Rum Budapest — Hotel in Budapest

Decided on Rum for our visit to Budapest to celebrate my partner’s 50th birthday. The Hotel staff were great (special thanks to Patrik) in arranging flowers and other treats for our arrival and during our stay; these were pre-arranged and pre-paid, of course.

For me, the Hotel is in an excellent location, nicely away from the noise of central downtown, but close enough to points of interest and facilities.

There are negative reviews on here about small room sizes. That is unfair as their website is very clear in naming and describing room types and sizes, with dimensions, so that is a matter of choice. Based in reviews we chose large + and it was certainly more than spacious enough (but see below).

Breakfast was to a very high standard, served in the rooftop terrace restaurant which has wonderful views across the city.

Dinner of the tasting menu in the Michelin starred Salt restaurant was fantastic, and the subject of separate review, but for here just to say you will need deep pockets, but it doesn’t disappoint.

The Hotel is stylised in a metro-modern style and it looks great there are some areas where it suffers style over substance and I have the following criticisms which I make in the hope that a few modest tweaks will help elevate this hotel from good to very good:

Despite being a large+ room, there was pretty much no usable space/surface to put anything down. What spaces were available already accommodated things such as the room phone, kettle, Nespresso etc. I get it that each room is different, and some of the photos on here show desks in other rooms, but ours was lacking in this aspect;

On the subject of Nespresso, all that was available was obviously sourced from Lidl or some such, there was no choice. Why provide Nespresso if you are not going to provide a range of good coffee to choose from, for example decaf;

While the Hotel were good enough to lend (free of charge) towels to visit the famous baths they wanted 100 euros to lend robes (50 euros per robe). That is absurd. I would understand a security deposit perhaps, but that much to hire a robe? Obviously we declined;

While the breakfast is very good you do only get the one cup of coffee/tea. The restaurant is open to non-residents, and I get it that if you want coffee you pay for it, but for residents it would make you feel more welcome if you could have another coffee without charge;

The sofa(bed) in our room was obviously the cheaper end of the IKEA range. It was uncomfortable and you slide off. Such nasty furniture has no place in a Hotel of this calibre;

Lastly, and my biggest gripe with style over practicality was with the wash basin in the bathroom. This was a small basin immediately below a protruding mirrored cabinet (which did not open), meaning it was impossible to get your face to the water to wash without getting water all over the place; please I invite the designer of this room to use this facility and maintain they are happy with it!

Without question I would return to this Hotel, but they need to make a few changes to elevate it to what is portrays itself to be, and...

I have mixed feelings, I guess it depends on your priorities as a guest. Pluses are: nice contemporary design of room and lobby (although pay attention that the rooms vary in design and the online photos might not be relevant to your room, as it was in my case), lobby is pleasant to meet, also if you have an informal meeting. restaurant offers nice selection of food, both dishes I had were very good, and you get a welcome drink on the house, very nice gesture! staff in reception is mostly friendly, even if not always helpful (more in the minus section) rooftop with stunning view, where breakfast takes place. Breakfast itself however is not "rich buffet" as described online, but rather a modest buffet with several basics, often done and not quickly replaced as the staff on the floor is one guy plus one person behind the desk for service. location is brilliant. Minuses are: worst part of all down sides for me was noise. Noise of all kinds: the heavy room doors slam automatically, so around the clock you hear "BAM!" metal doors slam. Walls are paper thin, all sounds pass through and if you happen to be on the 6th floor it means lots of people passing by from the rooftop down, up and onwards. The noise from the rooftop (might only be relevant for 6th floor) is from 7AM and on the weekend it includes live shows at midday, so taking a nap is out of the question (upon my complaint I was offered a free meal excluding drinks, which I found a satisfactory reply specifically for that time). On top of that, there was an ongoing drilling noise coming every 10-20min from unknown source. First, the receptionist was rude and expressed disbelief, which I found offensive. Later on I was suggested a late check out, which was helpful, but not at all an answer to the problem. Moving a room was not an option - I have asked and was offered the room next door, which wouldn't have solved the issue. air condition is off, only heating at this time (March April!) Only option was put it off, but the sole window in the room only opens completely or not at all, which is a hard choice. price/return is not valuable, too pricey for what is offered, at least 20% above reasonable, I estimate.

All in all tending to positive, but if you are noise sensitive as I am, reconsider. At least one receptionist was giving always best efforts to assist, so service is also...

Beautiful, stylish, comfortable, great value! Not the cheapest, but you get great location, service, and character well worth the price.

Rooms large by European standards, with good overhead lights and bright reading lights on each side of the very comfortable bed. Enough power outlets, especially along the bedroom counter/desk, with a full sized electric kettle and iPod/iPhone powered speaker for music. Solid windows with full opening and top tilt options to let in air but preserving security. Square can be noisy at night but windows are modern and soundproof, so sound not a problem with windows shut.

Bathroom very well thought out with full sized shower, glass enclosure and door that keep the water in (not always the case in European hotels), plenty of hot water with excellent pressure and two shower heads (overhead fixed and flexible handheld). Huge bonus is the headed towel drying rack over the toilet: heated with steam, your hand washed clothes dry overnight and are ready to wear in the morning!

Breakfast very well done with plenty of protein and veggies: scrambled eggs, poached eggs with bacon in cups, yoghurt, sliced meats and cheese. Sliced fresh veggies and fresh whole fruit. Excellent assortment of local breads and rolls, all breads really tasty everywhere in Budapest. Free espresso, coffee, tea with breakfast brought to table by polite, friendly staff.

Front desk staff great: helpful with local info, an iron or ironing board, making change, adjusting reservations. Totally professional and up to any Marriott/Hilton standard.

The local environment is perfect: right off a square with plenty of shopping and restaurants yet not on the main tourist drag. Easy walking distance to both Elizabeth and Freedom bridges, where all sorts of trams and busses can be hopped on. Metro stop nearby: walk 2 blocks towards Elizabeth Bridge. Convenient market (like a 7-11) on other side of the building: turn right heading out of the hotel, turn right twice to pass around the Starbucks in the same building, and walk 1/2 block. Market on right side, sandwiches/drinks/chips/cookies for two: 2100 HUF (about $7).

Hotel Rum was a great place to stay in and a perfect place to explore...