Sofitel Budapest, Budapest

The Cranley Report®: Sofitel Budapest

Sofitel Budapest, Budapest

Hotel Address

Roosevelt ter 2
1051
Budapest
Hungary

Cranley Rating

Sofitel Budapest

Photo 1 of 18. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	Green Hotel Title by Hotel Association of Hungary Best 5 Star Hotel 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Budapest Week Hungary Tourism Quality Award by the National Tourism Board The Paris Budapest Cafe is a recommended restaurant in the 2007 Michelin Guide

Hotel Opened	1982
Refurbishment	2005

Cranley Summary

Set in the heart of Budapest on the banks of the Danube, the Sofitel Budapest is a sophisticated city centre business hotel. Its beautiful location ensures breathtaking views of the Danube, the Chain Bridge and the Royal Castle. The hotel is twenty-two kilometres from Ferihegy International Airport and three kilometres from the main railway stations. It was awarded Best 5 Star Hotel in 2004/5 and 2005/6 by Budapest Week. This modern, glass-fronted eight-storey hotel features a huge inner atrium. It has three hundred and fifty rooms including fifty-four suites, rooms for guests with limited mobility, non-smoking floors and an Executive Floor. Dining experiences include the Paris-Budapest Cafe (a recommended restaurant in the 2007 Michelin Guide), Terrasse Restaurant and Bibliotek Lounge. With a Fitness Centre, indoor pool, Business Centre, Ballroom and sixteen other conference rooms, it has facilities to meet most business and leisure needs. For entertainment the Las Vegas Casino is open twenty-four hours a day.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

The Sofitel Budapest is located in the heart of the city (Pest side), in the fifth district, Budapest's main business and entertainment area. The hotel is twenty-two kilometres from Ferihegy International Airport and three kilometres from the main railway stations. Underground stations are a few minutes walk away and tram/bus services are immediately adjacent to the hotel. The Sofitel Budapest benefits from superb views over the River Danube, the Chain Bridge and Royal Castle. Additionally, historical sights such as the Royal Castle, the Parliament building and major entertainment venues are all nearby. The hotel is within five minutes walk of Vaci Street, one of Budapest's premier shopping areas.

Airports
Distance	22 km
Airport Transfers	Taxi transfers

Cities and Sights
Distance	0 km
City/Sight Transfers	Taxi transfers. Bus/tram services adjacent to the hotel.

Layout Description

This modern, glass-fronted eight-storey property features a huge atrium with a spectacular full size model of a bi-plane suspended from the roof. The hotel is square shaped with the bedrooms on three sides of the atrium with hotel services utilising the fourth side. The Executive Lounge is on the eighth floor. The Bibliotek Lounge and Terrasse Restaurant are both visible from the lobby and the Paris-Budapest Cafe is on the ground floor at the opposite end from the reception desks. The Fitness Centre and indoor pool are on the first floor level. All the meeting and conference rooms are on the mezzanine level or lower ground floors.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	Twenty-four hours.
Languages Spoken	Hungarian, English, German, Russian, French and Italian.
Payment Methods	All major credit cards including Amex, Diners, Visa, EuroCard and JCB.
Foreign Exchange	Most major currencies can be exchanged at reception.
Taxis Arranged	Hotel taxis. Street taxis. A taxi rank is adjacent to the hotel.
Tours Arranged	Boat and coach tours of Budapest's main attractions can be arranged by the Concierge.

Guest Relations	Standard services.
Concierge Services	Standard services
Medical Facilities	A doctor can be requested by the hotel. Call out times are approximately twenty minutes, according to the hotel.
Parking	Valet parking. Private indoor parking for seventy cars.

Cranley Comment

The huge atrium lobby greets guests and six reception desks are located to the left hand side of the lobby. The modern French design of the lobby including parquet flooring, wood panelling, leather sofas and chairs contrasts with the colourful paintings of Hungarian artist Sonia Delaunay. The Swarovski lighting in the reception area and the "fountain of pearls" curtain in the centre of the lobby add a touch of glamour and are reminiscent of the "Belle Epoque" era. Both the Bibliotek Lounge and the Paris-Budapest Cafe are on the lobby level. The Business Centre is at the back of the hotel on the ground floor and the Fitness Centre can be found on the first floor level.

Shops & Amenities

Description

The Sofitel Budapest's beauty and hairdressing salon is located on the first floor within the Fitness Centre. It is open from 07:30 to 20:00 on weekdays, 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays.

Newspapers and souvenirs can be purchased from the Business Centre on the lobby level which is open from 06:00 to 22:00 daily.

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel Budapest is five minutes walk from Vaci Street, one of Budapest's premier shopping areas. 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	8
Total Rooms	350
Elevators	3
Rooms per Elevator	117
Total Staff	300
Staff per Room	0.9

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Late check out on arrangement with reception.
Smoking Rooms	Dedicated non-smoking rooms available and four floors are smoke-free.
Room Service	A full menu of hot and cold dishes is available twenty-four hours a day.
Laundry Service	Laundry service is available daily from 07:00 to 17:00 except Saturdays (07:00 to 12:00) and is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Items received after 09:00 will be returned the next day. Items received after 09:00 or on Saturday and returned same day are subject to a 50% surcharge.

Club or Executive Facilities

The Executive Lounge is on the eighth floor executive level with private check in/check out from 07:00 to 21:00 in the executive lounge. Executive guests also receive complimentary continental breakfast, all day tea, coffee and soft drinks and newspapers. In the afternoons, hors d'oeuvres, sandwiches, fruit salad, snacks and desserts are available with a selection of wines, beers and champagne. Executive Lounge guests can also enjoy a free half hour massage upon every stay.

Cranley Comment

Guests can take one of three glass fronted lifts to rooms, passing along a wide corridor open to the atrium lobby and enter the rooms via a bright red painted door. The hotel has a wide choice of rooms from Superior, Deluxe and Executive to four types of spacious suites - Junior, Superior, Deluxe and Presidential. All guest rooms feature deep carpeting, muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet access and satellite television with video and music on demand.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior Room	162	City	Tea and coffee making facilities Iron and ironing board Air-conditioning Safe deposit box Minibar Satellite flat screen television with video and music on demand Two telephones Voicemail Wireless Internet access High speed transmission line Armchair Desk and chair Twin or double bed Choice of pillows Bathroom amenities Hair dryer and vanity mirror in the bathroom Radio and telephone in bathroom Bath, shower and WC	2 Adults	27

Cranley Comment

Guests enter the Superior Room via a long corridor with the bathroom to one side and bedroom with feature window at the far end. With deep red striped carpeting, Superior Rooms have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. Modern polished wood units house the flat screen television, minibar and tea and coffee making facility. The bedroom has either a king or queen-size bed or twin beds. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio and a bath, shower and wc.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Room	143	River	As per Superior Room with the added benefit of: River view	2 Adults	27 - 36

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Rooms offer views of the Chain Bridge and the Royal Castle. The rooms have a small corridor with a wardrobe as you enter with the bathroom to one side and the bedroom with a feature window at the far end. With deep carpeting, Deluxe rooms have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. Modern polished wood units house the LCD television, minibar and tea and coffee making facility. The bedroom has either a king or queen-size bed or twin beds. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio, wc and separate bath and shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	26	City	As per Superior Room with the added benefit of: Lounge area with sofabed Large desk and chairs. Additional LCD television	4 Adults	36

Cranley Comment

Guests enter the Junior Suites directly into the bedroom area. The bathroom is to the side and the lounge to the rear of the suite, divided from the bedroom by a pillar and chest of drawers. Junior Suites have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. Modern polished wood units house the flat screen television, minibar and tea and coffee making facility. The bedroom has a king-size bed or twin beds. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio wc and separate bath and shower. The lounge area has a sofabed, second LCD television, desk and two chairs.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior Suite	12	River	As per Junior Suite with the added benefit of: Separate lounge River views. Additional sqm	4 adults	49

Cranley Comment

Guests enter the Superior Suites directly into the bedroom area. The bathroom is to the side and the separate lounge is opposite the bathroom with river views, divided from the bedroom by a pillar and chest of drawers. Superior Suites have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. Modern polished wood units house the flat screen television, minibar and tea and coffee making facility. The bedroom has a king or queen-size bed. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio, wc and separate bath and shower. The lounge area has a sofabed, additional LCD television, desk and two chairs.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Suite	13	River	As per Superior Suite with the added benefit of: Separate shower and bath	4 Adults	49

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Suites are all in corner positions with stunning panoramic views of the Danube and Roosevelt Square. Guests enter directly into the lounge area with sofabed, desk and chairs and from this area a wide corridor links the lounge to the bedroom and bathroom. Deluxe Suites have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. The bedroom has a king-size bed, large wardrobe, desk, chair and armchair with large flat screen television. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio, wc and separate bath and shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	2	River	As per Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of: Large separate dining area with dining table and eight chairs Second minibar and coffee making machine.	4 Adults	96

Cranley Comment

There are two Presidential Suites in the Sofitel Budapest - one on the seventh and the other on the eighth floor. The Presidential Suites are beautifully furnished and have a muted pastel decor and contemporary furnishings incorporating traditional artwork. A private corridor leads guests directly into a dining room with a table and eight chairs. A separate guest wc and lounge with additional television links the dining area to the bedroom which has a king-size bed and two wardrobes. The bathroom has marble flooring and surfaces, a large mirror and separate vanity mirror, its own telephone and radio, wc, bidet and separate bath and shower. In one of these suites the bathtub is located against the window providing a direct views to the river Danube.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Terrasse Restaurant

Restaurant Type	International
Restaurant Capacity	Total 130
Opening Times	06:30 to 23:00 daily
Dress Codes	Smart casual.

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas.
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available. Children's menus.
Breakfast Options	Buffet breakfast.

Cranley Comment

The Terrasse Restaurant is located on the mezzanine level reached via the lifts or stairs through the Bibliotek Lounge. With dark parquet flooring, deep red or brown armchairs and dark wood panelling it has a contemporary design augmented by large trees in pots. The buffet breakfast has a full range of hot and cold dishes and an omelette station. The Terrasse Restaurant can be reserved for lunch and dinner but only for groups attending conferences and seminars.

Paris-Budapest Cafe

Restaurant Type	French and Hungarian
Restaurant Capacity	Total 132 (of which 92 inside and 40 outside)
Opening Times	12.00 to 23.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual.

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking area.
Children’s Facilities	High chairs available. Children's menus.

Cranley Comment

The Paris-Budapest Cafe is located to the right of the lobby area on the ground floor and offers a fusion of French and Hungarian cuisines prepared in a show kitchen "theatre". It has an excellent wine cellar featuring an exceptional selection of fine Hungarian and French wines as well as a modern bar. The restaurant can be seen from the lobby through the glass walls of the wine cellar. In fine weather, cafe guests can use the outside terrace. The works of art in the cafe are photographs linking the two cities, Paris and Budapest.

Bars

Number of Bars

Bibliotek Lounge

Bar Type	Cafe/Snack Bar
Bar Capacity	28
Opening Times	Daily 09.00 to 20.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual.

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas.
Admissions Policy	Children allowed.

Cranley Comment

The Bibliotek Lounge is located at the main wooden staircase. Designed in the style of a French library it offers a quiet area for guests to enjoy drinks and snacks or to browse the selection of magazines and books, including coffee table works about Budapest and Hungary. The Bibliotek Lounge provides guests a wide selection of aromatic teas and infusions, Malongo coffee specialities and delicious home-made desserts concocted under the supervision of head pâtissier Laszlo Mihalyi.

Paris-Budapest Cafe

Bar Type	Saloon Bar
Bar Capacity	45
Opening Times	Daily 08.00 to 02.00
Dress Codes	Smart casual.

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Non-smoking areas.
Admissions Policy	Children allowed.

Cranley Comment

The Paris-Budapest Café is located to the right of the lobby area on the ground floor. It is decorated in vibrant colours with a zinc counter and is the place to unwind in comfortable armchairs. A full range of drinks and cocktails are available. In fine weather the Paris-Budapest Cafe guests can use the outside terrace. Inside and out the Paris-Budapest Cafe features breathtaking views of the Chain Bridge and the Royal Castle.

Business & Event Facilities

Wireless Internet

Chargeable wireless Internet access.

In-Room Services

Desk with telephone and Internet access socket.
Wireless Internet access.
High speed transmission line.

Business Centre

The Sofitel Budapest's Business Centre provides:
Support staff
Two workstations with telephone, PCs, scanner and printers
Wireless Internet access
Computer hire facilities
Copy/print service available
Fax machine
Secretarial service (typing)
Translating/interpreting service

Meetings & Events

The Sofitel Budapest has the following rooms available for meetings, conventions, product launches, presentations, weddings and gala balls:

The Sofitel Budapest has the following rooms available for meetings, conventions, product launches, presentations, weddings and gala balls:

Ballroom
The Ballroom is three hundred and twenty-three square metres, measures 20.7 x 15.6 x 3.65 metres and can accommodate up to four hundred guests in reception style, three hundred and sixty in a theatre style, seventy in a U-shape, two hundred and seventy in a banquet style and two hundred and thirty in a classroom style.

Ballroom A
Ballroom A is a sub-division of the main Ballroom and is two hundred and twenty-five square metres, measures 13.8 x 15.6 x 3.65 metres and can accommodate up to two hundred guests in reception style, two hundred and twenty in a theatre style, forty in a U-shape, one hundred and eighty in a banquet style and one hundred and twenty in a classroom style.

Ballroom B
Ballroom B is the smaller sub-division of the main Ballroom and is one hundred and eight square metres, measures 6.9 x 15.6 x 3.65 metres and can accommodate up to one hundred guests in reception style, one hundred in a theatre style, thirty-five in a U-shape, ninety in a banquet style and sixty in a classroom style.

Bellevue I, II and III
The combined Bellevue rooms are two hundred and thirty-three square metres, measure 20.8 x 11.2 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to one hundred and seventy guests in reception style, one hundred and fifty in a theatre style, forty-five in a U-shape, one hundred and fifty in a banquet style and ninety in a classroom style.

Bellevue I
The Bellevue I is seventy-six square metres, measures 6.8 x 11.2 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to sixty guests in reception style, sixty in a theatre style, twenty-four in a U-shape, fifty in a banquet style and thirty-five in a classroom style.

Bellevue II
The Bellevue II is eighty-one square metres, measures 7.2 x 11.2 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to sixty guests in reception style, sixty in a theatre style, twenty-four in a U-shape, fifty in a banquet style and thirty-five in a classroom style.

Bellevue III
The Bellevue I is seventy-six square metres, measures 6.8 x 11.2 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to sixty guests in reception style, sixty in a theatre style, twenty-four in a U-shape, fifty in a banquet style and thirty-five in a classroom style.

Vaszary
The Vaszary is one hundred and twenty-six square metres, measures 9.0 x 14.0 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to one hundred guests in reception style, one hundred in a theatre style, thirty-five in a U-shape, eighty in a banquet style, and sixty-four in a classroom style.

Foyer
The Foyer is one hundred and ten square metres and can accommodate up to three hundred and fifty guests in a reception style.

Academy Room I
The Academy Room I is fifteen square metres, measures 3.3 x 4.0 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to six guests in board set up style.

Academy Room II
The Academy Room II is thirty square metres, measures 6.7 x 4.4 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to twenty guests in theatre style, twenty guests in a reception style and fourteen in a board set up style.

Academy Room III
The Academy Room III is thirty square metres, measures 6.8 x 4.4 x 3.00 metres and can accommodate up to twenty guests in reception style, twenty guests in a theatre style and fourteen in a board set up style.

Academy IV
The Academy Room IV is thirty-four square metres, measures 3.00 metres high and can accommodate up to forty guests in reception style, twenty guests in a theatre style and fourteen in a board set up style.

Academy Room III and IV
The Academy Room’s III and IV together are sixty-one square metres are 3.00 metres high and can accommodate up to forty guests in reception style.

Board Dining Room
The Board Dining Room is fifty-three square metres, measures 7.2 x 7.3 x 3.0 metres and can accommodate up to fourteen guests in board set up style.

Board room
The Board room is fifty square metres, measures 7.2m x 7.8m x 3.0 metres and can accommodate up to fourteen guests in board set up style.

Business Corner
The Business corner is fourteen square metres and measures 4.0 x 3.4 x 3.0 metres and be used as a break out room.

Executive Lounge Boardroom
The Executive Lounge Boardroom is fifteen square metres, measures 3.5 x 4.0 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to ten guests in conference style and ten in a boardroom style.

Majorelle
The Majorelle is fifty-nine square metres, measures 9.0 x 6.5 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to fifty guests in reception style, fifty in a theatre style, twenty-one in a U-shape, forty in a banquet style, twenty-four in a board set up style and thirty-two in a classroom style.

Rippl-Ronai
The Rippl-Ronai is fifty-nine square metres, measures 9.0 x 6.5 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to fifty guests in reception style, fifty in a theatre style, twenty-one in a U-shape, forty in a banquet style, twenty four in a board set up style and thirty-two in a classroom style.

Szechenyi
The Szechenyi is thirty square metres, measures 7.5 x 4.0 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to twenty guests in a board set up style.

Guimard
The Guimard is fifty-nine square metres, measures 9.0 x 6.5 x 2.65 metres and can accommodate up to fifty guests in reception style, fifty in a theatre style, twenty-one in a U-shape, forty in a banquet style, twenty-four in a board set up style and thirty-two in a classroom style.

Terrasse Restaurant
The Terrasse Restaurant is two hundred and twenty-four square metres, is 2.65 metres high and can accommodate up to one hundred and forty guests in banquet style and two hundred in a reception style.

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel Budapest has a well equipped Business Centre on the lobby level open from 06:00 to 22:00 daily. It also has a variety of meeting and conference rooms mostly on level C (between the lobby and first floor) and the lower ground floor. Both locations have ample space outside the meeting rooms for refreshments and snacks. All rooms are decorated in a contemporary design in bright colours with dark wood tables and chairs. A full range of audio-visual equipment and laptop/PC connectivity is available in all rooms. The Sofitel Budapest has fashioned a new business/meeting experience in prestige venues with luxurious decor, first-class cuisine tailored to specifications and with dedicated on-site staff.

Children’s Facilities & Clubs

Restaurant Facilities

See Restaurants

Babysitting service

An external babysitting service is available on request. A charge is made for this service.

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel Budapest is a city centre business and conference hotel and has limited facilities for children. Children under the age of twelve are given a teddy bear on arrival.

Entertainment

Daytime Activities

Cranley Comment

Evening Activities

Cranley Comment

The hotel has a casino on the mezzanine level next to the entrance to the Terrasse Restaurant. The Las Vegas Casino is open twenty-four hours a day with slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, and punto bacco/blackjack on offer. The hotel does not have any live evening entertainment but is however within easy walking distance of the Opera House, major theatres and Budapest's lively bars and restaurants.

Pools

Indoor Pool

Opening Times	07:00 to 21:30.
Temperature	27 degrees celsius.
Depths	120 centimetres.
Size	10 x 16 metres.

Facilities	Chairs and loungers with blue and white cushions. Changing rooms with showers and wc.
Safety	No lifeguard on duty.

Cranley Comment

The indoor pool is part of the Fitness Centre on the first floor level of the Sofitel Budapest, located just behind the huge sign for the Bibliotek Lounge. It has a large reception area and a long corridor leading to the pool area which is decorated with plants and surrounded by a number of chairs and loungers. The indoor pool has a relaxing atmosphere with a low ceiling and subdued lighting.

Sports & Gym

Gym & Health Club

Opening Times	07:00 to 21:30
Description	The Fitness Centre is fitted with high-tech cardio equipment (treadmill, stepper and two bicycles), seven variable resistance machines and free weights. It also offers guests a massage room, sauna and solarium (these services are available 08:00 to 20:00 only). The Fitness Centre has one large screen television and a water cooler.
Size	11 x 10 metres.

Cranley Comment

The Fitness Centre is located on the first floor level, just behind the huge sign for the Bibliotek Lounge. It has a large reception area with changing rooms off an adjacent corridor which leads to the pool and fitness areas. The fitness room has a large mirror at the far end of the room and a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the pool at the other end.

Land Sport

Cranley Comment

Margaret Island, a leafy oasis in the centre of the Danube, lies two kilometres from the hotel and has a running track around its perimeter. The area around the Sofitel Budapest offers a range of sporting facilities including football pitches and jogging tracks in the City Park.
All the activities listed below can be arranged with the concierge:
Golf - driving range
Rowing or canoeing
Water skiing
Motor boating
Volleyball
Yoga classes/instruction
Running track/path
Basketball
Racquetball/squash
Tennis
Scooter/Moped Rentals
Bicycle rentals
Horse riding
Fishing

Spa

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel Budapest does not have a spa however the city of Budapest is famous for its spa baths. The most famous of these are the Gellert Baths which feature steam rooms, hot spa pools, cold plunge pools and an ornate Art Nouveau swimming pool. Visitors can also have massages and beauty treatments here; alternate days are for men or women only. The Gellert Baths are across the Danube from the hotel, just one kilometre away.

Special Needs

Communal Areas

Wheelchair access.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Two adjoining rooms are fully adapted for guest with special needs.

Restaurants & Catering

Wheelchair access for all public areas except for the Bibliotek Lounge which is on part of the mezzanine level only accessible by the staircase.

Recreation Facilities

Wheelchair access.

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel Budapest is a modern hotel and has good facilities for guests with special needs.

Environment

Measures

Recycling
Energy Saving
Community Service
Minimise Cleaning Materials
Environmental Audits
Water Saving
Alternative Energy

Cranley Comment

The Sofitel recently received a Green Hotel Award by Hotel Association of Hungary for its approach to environmental issues.

Sofitel Budapest, Budapest, Report Details

20th June 2007

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