Sofitel Chain Bridge – Budapest – Hungary

I stayed on business at the Sofitel Chain Bridge in Budapest in September 2009 for 5 nights. The hotel itself looks nothing special from the outside, but inside it is quite different. It reminded me of the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas with a huge atrium stretching right up to the roof and all the rooms facing the inside as you look up, so you can see all 10 floors from the foyer.

The rooms were a decent size with a large double bed which you could lie and fit in either way round and with the most comfortable mattress I have ever had. Home or away! I was on the 4th floor looking over a sidestreet at the back so while the view was crap (the building opposite) there was virtually no outside noise at night. One minor drawback of the in-facing rooms was that you did get a little noise from outside, but not enough to keep me awake. My room was on a corner so there was another room door adjacent to mine, the problem being everytime room service or people knocked on it, I thought they were knocking on mine.

There was a flat screen TV, mini-bar, reasonable storage space, a safe and an Internet cable connection (they also have wifi). Internet costs extra but mine was provided by the conference organisers so I can’t tell you how much. The bathroom was a decent size, shower and bath – standard fare, all very clean. You do get a bathrobe and slippers too though! The safe was free although you lock/unlock it by swiping a credit card.

Breakfast was pretty decent. The full English wasn’t that great, but the choice is very good. I mainly used the omelette station and they were v tasty. Toast, creals, cold meats, hot food – lots there. The teabags are pretty weak though! I didn’t have an evening meal there – there are so many good restuarants locally and Mocha is recommended – although I had a lunchtime burger one day from the bar which was OK, nothing special.

Reception is quite lush with 3 (fast) glass lifts taking you up inside the atrium so you get a full view of the inside of the hotel as you climb. I’m not great with heights and I could see the really paranoid not liking the hotel, but it wasn’t too bad even with corridors looking down to the reception floor from high up.

Hotel service was professional and decent but as you may know, service is very laid back (read “slow”) in Budapest (two meals we had at restaurants took over 3 hours!). The reception staff and maids were very friendly, while the breakfast andbar staff did their job wihout too much chat. Apart from one girl in the bar who was very chatty and friendly. The concierge service was decent too and the bell boys.

Taxi from the airport is easy enough but one tip. From the airport terminal go outside and go to teh Zona Taxi booth (very obvious) because the taxi fare is standard (22euros as I write). Takes about 20/25 minutes to the hotel depending on traiific. On the way back however, we got the “official” taxi partner of the hotel. Service fine in nice Mercedes, but costs 50% more. Calling Zona Taxi is a better option. Tips are normal in Budapest, 10% being the suggested requirement.

The location of the hotel is perfect for everything. Right next to the Danube and easy walking distance to shops, restaurants, across the bridge to the castle/palace etc. Spot on. There is a nice outside terrace bar in the hotel which we used a lot. The hotel’s casino (“Las Vegas”) is accessed from the front or inside (1st floor). You need a passport to register, takjes just a couple of minutes, then you get a card. There are about 12 tables and 50 slots in the casino – small but a decent, airy space with a small bar. Smoking is permitted too but there is a small no-smoking area with games at the back.

Yes I’d definately stay at the Sofitel again, although looking at the Four Seasons over the road that looks amazing! Colleagues who stayed at the Kapinsky (just round the corner) also rated that hotel as an option, while the Intercontinental next door also had good reports. And Budapest is an amazing place – did the bus tour and will definitely go back for a better look round.