Hotel review: Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre – A Newly Opened Hotel Ideally Located for Sightseeing
It had been 24 years since I first visited Hungary during a solo backpacking trip around Europe as a student. This time, I returned on a work trip—and found myself back in Budapest after all these years.
The first hotel I stayed at was the Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre, a relatively new property that opened in 2019. It’s located on the Pest side of the city centre, just east of the Danube River.
If you’re looking for a Hilton-branded hotel in Budapest, this is definitely one worth considering.
You may also want to check out our stay reviews of Hilton hotels in Budapest and Vienna
Hilton Hotels in Budapest
There are currently three Hilton-branded hotels in Budapest, and during this trip, I had the chance to stay at two of them.
Hilton Budapest
Located in the iconic Castle District on the Buda side of the city, Hilton Budapest sits amid the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical quarter. Just a short walk from landmarks such as Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, the hotel boasts rooms with sweeping views of the Danube River and the Hungarian Parliament. The on-site lounge and bar provide relaxing spots to unwind between sightseeing.
You can read a full review of my stay here.
– Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre
Opened in 2019, this hotel is located on the Pest side of the city, right in the heart of downtown. Surrounded by historic architecture, it’s a convenient base for both business and leisure travellers. I’ll be covering it in more detail in this post.
As a mid-range option, it’s also a great choice for those looking to keep accommodation costs in check.
Hampton by Hilton Budapest City Centre
This newly built hotel opened its doors in 2023 and is also located in central Pest, within walking distance of many major attractions, restaurants, and shops.
As with other Hampton properties, it includes complimentary breakfast and offers an easy, fuss-free stay. With practical amenities and a convenient location, it’s well suited not just for tourists but for longer stays as well.
Access
Many travellers from Japan may choose to travel to Budapest via Vienna. Below, I’ll outline how to get to the hotel whether you’re arriving overland from Vienna or flying directly into Budapest.
From Budapest Keleti Railway Station
Direct trains run frequently between Vienna and Budapest, with the journey taking around 2.5 to 3 hours. If you book early, you can often find tickets for under €50.
Trains from Vienna arrive at Budapest Keleti station. If you’re carrying heavy luggage, the easiest option is to take a taxi from the station to the hotel.
Alternatively, you can take Metro Line M2 to Deák Ferenc tér station, which is the closest major stop to the hotel. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk. It’s not far, but be mindful when navigating with your phone, as it’s easy to get distracted on busy streets.。
From Budapest Airport
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is served by direct flights from many European cities, including London. It’s the most convenient airport if you’re flying into the city.
You can take the 100E airport bus directly to Deák Ferenc tér, which takes around 40 minutes and costs 2,200 HUF. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the hotel, as described above.
If you’re arriving very early or late in the day, the wait for the airport bus might feel long. In that case, taking a taxi directly from the airport is the fastest and most convenient option. The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs approximately 7,000–10,000 HUF (please note these are rough estimates).
For more on taxis and recommended ride-hailing apps, see the Useful Information section below.
Location
Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre is located on the Pest side of the city, right in the heart of downtown. It’s an excellent base, especially if you’re planning to focus on sightseeing within the city.
Here are just a few highlights within walking distance of the hotel:
St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika)
One of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks, this grand basilica features a stunning dome and ornate interior. The panoramic view from the observation deck is well worth the climb.
Hungarian State Opera House
Considered one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, it’s a must-visit for lovers of classical music and architecture.
Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út)
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this elegant boulevard is lined with upscale boutiques and charming cafés, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Danube River and Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd)
This iconic bridge connecting Buda and Pest is one of Budapest’s most photographed sights — it is especially magical when lit up at night.
Hungarian Parliament Building
A stunning example of Neo-Gothic architecture, the Parliament building is easily reachable on foot and makes for a picturesque riverside walk.
Room
While the hotel doesn’t aim for the opulence of a five-star property, it opened in 2019 and feels fresh, clean, and very comfortable—especially in terms of the bathroom and overall maintenance. Despite being located in the city centre, it’s tucked away from the main road, offering a quiet and restful atmosphere.
Hilton Garden Inn is Hilton’s mid-range brand, and some readers may already be familiar with it—especially those who have stayed at Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma, the brand’s first location in Japan (You can find my review of that property here).
As my visit to Budapest was partly for business, I really appreciated the in-room desk and comfortable chair, which made it easy to work before and after meetings.
The bathroom featured only a shower, which is common across many hotels in Europe. There was no bathtub in my room. Since I visited during a colder time of year, I asked about bathtub availability at check-in—but was told that the rooms with bathtubs had already been allocated.
If having a bathtub is a must for you, I’d recommend considering Hilton Budapest, where more rooms offer this feature.
Restaurant and Bar
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, Garden79 Restaurant & Bar, offers a stylish yet relaxed setting where you can enjoy a variety of dishes—from traditional Hungarian cuisine to light bites, appetisers, mains, and desserts.
It’s open until 10 PM, which makes it a convenient option for those evenings when you’re too tired to head out. While waiting for my schnitzel to arrive, I exchanged the complimentary drink voucher I received at check-in—as a Hilton Honors Diamond member—for a glass of wine.
The adjoining bar serves a good selection of drinks, including local beers and cocktails. And let’s not forget the wine—Hungary is well known for its excellent wine, and this is a great spot to sample some local varieties. Whether you’re winding down after a day of sightseeing or squeezing in a quiet break between work meetings, the bar offers a cosy and welcoming space.
While Hilton Garden Inn properties don’t typically feature an Executive Lounge, I was pleased to find that the complimentary drink voucher for Diamond members could be used at the restaurant or bar—a thoughtful touch that added to the experience.
Breakfast
As with many other Hilton properties, breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre is served buffet-style and offers a wide selection of dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Both continental and full English breakfast options were available, so whether you prefer a light start to the day or something more filling, you’ll find plenty to choose from.
Hilton Honors Diamond members also enjoy complimentary breakfast here, which is a welcome perk and makes the stay even more enjoyable.
Gym
The hotel’s gym is well equipped with modern fitness machines and is available to all guests 24/7, making it easy to stay active at any time during your stay. It offers a good range of cardio equipment as well as weight-training machines and free weights.
Although there’s no sauna on-site, Budapest is famously known for its thermal baths—so why not take the opportunity to visit one during your stay? Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the city’s most iconic spas, is also conveniently located not far from the hotel.
Useful Information
One of the most convenient tools I used during my time in Budapest was the Bolt ride-hailing app. I highly recommend downloading it before your trip.
On one occasion, I asked the hotel to arrange a taxi for me. I was told that card payment would be possible—but once in the car, the driver insisted on cash only. When I explained I didn’t have any Hungarian forints, he said euros would be fine. Caught off guard and unsure of the exact exchange rate, I ended up paying in euros—likely more than I should have.
When using Bolt, you can avoid these kinds of situations entirely. Fares are clearly shown in advance, payment is handled in-app by card, and there’s no need to carry local currency or negotiate with the driver. It’s reliable, transparent, and easy to use—especially for international visitors.
Thank you for reading this far. If you liked this article, please give a ♡ at the bottom left.
Check out DoubleTree by Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre on booking sites>>
>>If you like what you see, why not go ahead and book your stay?
