The Cranley Report®: Novotel Budapest Congress
Hotel Summary Restaurants & Cafés Beaches Special Needs
Location & Layout Bars Pools Environment
Lobby & Guest Relations Business & Event Facilities Sports & Gym Report Details
Shops & Amenities Children’s Facilities & Clubs Golf    
Rooms, Suites & Villas Entertainment Spa    
Novotel Budapest Congress, Budapest
Hotel Address
Alkotas utca 63-67
1123 Budapest
Hungry
 
Cranley Rating

Novotel Budapest Congress: Click to magnify
Photo 1 of 20. Click to enlarge
Hotel Summary
Category Hotel
Awards Won Best Congress Hotel 2006 awarded by Budapest Week.
Best 4 Star Hotel 2006 awarded by Budapest Week.
Hotel Opened
 1986
Refurbishment On-going refurbishment in 2007 of all rooms and leisure areas at a cost of ten million Euros.
Cranley Summary
The Novotel Budapest Congress is located in the historic Buda Castle district of Budapest. It is twenty-five kilometres from Ferihegy International Airport and six kilometres from the main railway stations. This modern nine storey hotel dominates the landscape. It was awarded Best Congress Hotel 2006 and Best 4 Star Hotel 2006 by Budapest Week. Set in its own grounds and surrounded by the Chestnut Park, it has three hundred and sixteen stylish new Novation bedrooms and three suites, all with a refreshing contemporary feel. International fine dining is found at the Cote Jardin Restaurant, and the hotel has a choice of three bars. In their free time, guests can enjoy a swim in the indoor pool and or relax with a sauna and massage, before heading to the on-site ten-pin bowling alley. The Novotel Budapest Congress is a family friendly establishment, welcoming children in all public areas of the hotel. It also has a children's games room to keep its younger guests entertained. The hotel has a Business Centre and a Cyber Terrace and is on the same site as the Budapest Congress and World Trade Centre, Budapest's premier congress centre.
Hotel Location & Layout
Location Description
The Novotel Budapest Congress is located in the Buda district of Budapest, the city's historic and traditional business area. The hotel is twenty-five kilometres from Ferihegy International Airport and six kilometres from the main railway stations. Tram and bus stations are also a few minutes walk away from the hotel. Historical sights such as the Royal Castle, the Parliament building and entertainment venues such as the Duna Palota and the Vigado are all approximately fifteen minutes by taxi, bus or tram. The hotel is within five minutes walk of MOM Park, one of Budapest's largest shopping malls.
Airports
Distance 25 km
Airport Transfers Taxi or minibus transfers can be arranged.
Cities and Sights
Distance 4 km
City/Sight Transfers Taxi transfers.
Bus/tram services nearby.
Layout Description
From the airport guests must cross the Danube and pass some of the old streets of the Buda district to reach the Novotel Budapest Congress. This modern nine storey hotel dominates the landscape. Set in its own grounds with ample parking and surrounded by the Chestnut Park, guestrooms are situated on each of two wings off the main T-shaped building. The reception, Lobby Bar, Business Centre, shop, Fitness Centre and pool are all on the ground floor. The Cote Jardin Restaurant, Cyber Terrace, Bowling Pub and Congress and World Trade Centre are located on the lower ground floor and can be reached via stairs at the far end of the lobby from reception.
Lobby & Guest Relations
Open Hours
 Twenty-four hours.
Languages Spoken English, German, Italian, French, Russian and Hungarian.
Payment Methods All major credit cards accepted.
Foreign Exchange Most major currencies can be exchanged at reception.
Taxis Arranged Taxis on request.
Tours Arranged Tours of the main sights of Budapest can be arranged through reception or the Malev Air Tours desk behind reception.
Guest Relations Standard services.
Concierge Services
 Standard services.
Medical Facilities A doctor can be called out from the local hospital. Call out times are approximately twenty minutes according to the hotel.
Parking Free parking for fifty cars.
Cranley Comment
As guests enter the lobby of the Novotel Budapest Congress they will notice a huge glass mural depicting time zones and clocks from around the world. The reception desk in front of the main entrance is staffed twenty-four hours a day by multilingual staff who can provide around-the clock room service, exchange currencies and offer tour advice. The Lounge Bar is to the left of the entrance and offers a variety of seating options, both inside and on the terrace. To the right of the main entrance is the souvenir shop and lifts and beyond the lifts the Health Centre and indoor pool can be found.
Shops & Amenities
Description
There is a small souvenir shop and news stand in the lobby next to the reception desks, open 07:00 to 22:00 daily. The shop sells souvenirs, newspapers and periodicals, cosmetics and t-shirts.
Cranley Comment
The hotel is within five minutes walk of MOM Park, one of Budapest's largest shopping malls. The more traditional shopping of Vaci Street is just twenty minutes away by bus, tram or taxi over the Danube in Pest. It was the first street in Budapest to be pedestrianised, but it was one of the best places for shopping long before this change. The street was built in the 18th century but most houses date back to the 19th and early 20th century. Today it has a wide range of well known international stores as well as many specialist Hungarian shops.
Rooms, Suites & Villas
Number of Floors 9
Total Rooms 319
Elevators 3
Rooms per Elevator 106
Total Staff 160
Staff per Room 0.5
Check-in Time 14:00
Check-out Time 12:00
Late Checkout Available on application through reception and subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms Two hundred and fourteen rooms over seven floors.
Room Service Full menu of hot and cold snacks is available twenty-four hours a day.
Laundry Service Laundry delivered to reception before 09:00 will be returned the same day.
Cranley Comment
The three hundred and nineteen guestrooms feature modern, colourful Scandinavian-style decor and furnishings and include wireless Internet connections and LCD televisions with satellite channels and pay movies.
  Type of Room, Views & Facilities
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Novation Rooms 316

City

Air conditioning
Safe
Minibar
Tea and coffee making facilities
Hairdryer
Telephone
Desk and chair
Wi-Fi access
High speed Internet access - chargeable
Flat screen television with pay movies

 3 Adults 40
Cranley Comment
A small lounge area greets the guest as they enter the Novation Room. A separate wc and shower room is located just off a corridor which leads to the large bedroom. The Novation Rooms have been refurbished to a high standard with Scandinavian-style decor of grey and blue carpeting, light pine wood panelling and modern artworks. The bedroom contains a king-size bed and has a desk, chair and flat screen television. The shower room has a tiled shower and separate washbasin and wc.
Type No. View Facilities Max. Occupancy Size m2
Suites 3

City

As for Novation Rooms with the added benefit of:
Sofa bed
Wardrobe
Dining table and two chairs
Second television
Second shower and separate wc
Bathrobes

 2 Adults and 2 children 90
Cranley Comment
The three Suites are on the ninth floor and consist of two adjoining rooms, both decorated in a Scandinavian-style with grey and blue carpeting, light pine wood panelling and modern artworks. Guests enter into a lounge which has a sofabed, table with two chairs and flatscreen television, just off the lounge is a second shower and wc. A connecting door leads to the bedroom which is identical to the Novation Rooms with its own shower room and wc, king-size bed and desk with television.
Restaurants & Cafés
Number of Restaurants
 1
  Cote Jardin  
Restaurant Type International
Restaurant Capacity 190 (including 160 inside and 30 outside)
Opening Times 06:00 to 15:00
18:00 to 23:00
Dress Codes Casual.
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Designated smoking areas.
Children’s Facilities Children's menu.
High chairs available.
Breakfast Options Buffet breakfast available 06:00 to 10:30 daily (including Hungarian specialities).
Cranley Comment
Located in the lower ground floor area to the left of the reception and with a terrace overlooking the Chestnut Park, Cote Jardin is a relaxed, informal restaurant with simple decor, lots of rustic colours and light wood furnishings. The Cote Jardin serves a range of international dishes created by Head Chef Zsolt Both complemented by a selection of Hungarian "Pallonia" wines. Themed dinners and barbeques are occasionally hosted on the terrace.
Bars
Number of Bars
 3
  Bowling Pub  
Bar Type Pub
Opening Times 17.00 to 00.00
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking areas.
Admissions Policy Children allowed.
Cranley Comment
The Bowling Pub was being refurbished at time of review.
  Lobby Bar  
Bar Type Lounge Bar
Bar Capacity 100 (of which 70 inside and 30 on the terrace)
Opening Times 07.00 to 01.00
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking areas.
Admissions Policy Children allowed.
Cranley Comment
Located at the far end of the lobby at the left hand side of the hotel's entrance, the Lobby Bar has parquet wood flooring and cafe-style furnishings and a variety of seating options including an outside terrace. In the main bar area an LCD television screen projects news and sports events. The Lobby Bar serves a variety of beverages and hot and cold snacks, including a speciality gateau of the day.
  Pool Bar  
Bar Type Pool Bar
Bar Capacity
Opening Times 08.00 to 00.00
Dress Codes Casual
Air-Conditioning Yes
Smoking Policy Non-smoking.
Admissions Policy Children allowed.
Cranley Comment
The Pool Bar was being refurbished at time of review and is due to re-open in May/June 2007.
Business & Event Facilities
Wireless Internet Chargeable Wi-Fi access in all areas of the hotel.</