June 16, 2010
Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: Dohány str. 42-44, Budapest, Hungary, H-1074
Budapest's increasingly hip VII district got a new upscale boutique hotel this week. Forget nearby youth hostels or three-star duds such as the King's Hotel, next time you hit the Jewish district, consider looking into ZeinaHotel's second Budapest location, The Continental Hotel Budapest (the first is an established four star property, opened in 2006, near the Danube river).
This former bath house has been wonderfully restored by local owners and boasts an indoor rooftop pool (and hot tub) next to a outdoor roof garden, 272 rooms (everything from simple singles to suites to 35 "deluxe" rooms), a full service restaurant (Araz) and two courtyards. Five conference rooms and a gallery round out the find.
The entire hotel reflects one of the owners' Jordanian roots, with subtle Arabic design touches throughout.
We just checked a few dates in July, and rooms are available on websites such as expedia.com from as low as $79, in line with rates at other area hotels also forced to offer great deals this summer (another steal are rates at the nearby just-opened-in-June Courtyard Marriott Budapest...hotels.com has rooms going for $81 in July). Oh and for the record, this hotel chain has nothing to do with the fashion brand. But maybe there could be a partnership in the future?
[Photo: Charlie Amter]