Kimpton BEM Budapest

We loved this hotel! From start to finish everything about our stay was great. The service, the atmosphere, the decor, the food, the drinks, the rooftop bar, the saunas, the housekeeping, the location, and on and on! And it is very clean. If you want to be treated like royalty this is the place to stay.

A relatively good deal popped up while I was in Budapest, so I decided to book this hotel instead of one of my usual tried-and-tested options in the city centre. The hotel is located on the Buda side of the river, meaning it is a little further from the main sights and attractions. That said, getting into the centre is easy enough, either with a few tram stops or by taking the metro. The building itself is stunning, and it is obvious that no expense was spared during the renovation. Everything is beautifully designed and constructed, from the grand entrance and soaring ceilings to the impressive lobby. I had requested a quiet room in advance and was assigned a first-floor room at the end of the corridor, facing a busy street. At first, I thought this must have been a mistake and was ready to complain. However, the sound insulation proved to be exceptional. I could barely hear anything from outside, apart from a passing ambulance one night. In fact, it was probably the best window insulation I have experienced in any hotel. The room looks exactly as it does in the photos on the website, so if having a traditional, separate bathroom is important to you, this may not be the right hotel. Personally, I found the layout perfectly acceptable, and both the shower and toilet offer sufficient privacy when needed. The rest of the room is attractive, although not particularly memorable. The bed, however, deserves special mention. It was among the most comfortable hotel beds I have ever slept in, and combined with the quiet surroundings, it gave me some of the best sleep I have had all year. Breakfast was more of a mixed bag. I had expected much more in terms of variety, quality, and overall choice. There were four à la carte options, ranging from Eggs Benedict to omelettes, but guests could only choose one, with any additions charged separately. For example, when I asked whether I could add a poached egg to my avocado toast, the answer was, "Of course, but we'll need to charge for it." As for the Eggs Benedict, the roll used as a base was pleasant enough, but it was not toasted sufficiently and ended up rather chewy. The buffet itself was basic for a five-star hotel, comparable to what you might expect at a good three-star property. The small Asian section, including the soup offering, was also underwhelming. On the positive side, the service ranged from good to excellent. A special thanks goes to the waiter who remembered how I liked my tea after the first morning and prepared it for me every day thereafter. The ground-floor bar is beautifully designed, and the service there was excellent as well. We also visited the rooftop bar once; it was pleasant enough, though nothing particularly memorable. The reception staff were generally helpful, but there were moments when they addressed me and my concerns in an overly casual manner, occasionally forgetting that I was a guest rather than a friend. The hotel also offers complimentary bicycles for exploring the city, which is a great idea and, in principle, a very welcome amenity. One morning, I requested a bike and one was brought out within ten minutes. Unfortunately, I immediately noticed that the front brake was not working. I was assured that the rear brake functioned properly, so it should be fine. After cycling about 100 metres, I also discovered that the tyres were almost completely flat, to the point where the rims were nearly touching the road. I returned and asked whether the issue could be resolved, only to be told that no bicycle pump was available. The receptionist kindly suggested that I walk the bike to a nearby petrol station and use their air compressor, even pointing me in the right direction. Needless to say, this was not what I expected from a five-star property. If you offer bicycles as a guest amenity, they should be properly maintained and ready to use. The gym in the basement was extremely small. Fortunately, I was the only person using it whenever I visited, but it still felt cramped and more like an afterthought than a genuine fitness facility. I also suspect there is a rubbish chute nearby, as I noticed the smell of garbage on more than one occasion. The adjoining spa area was not especially inviting either, feeling rather dark, grey, and lacking atmosphere. Overall, I am not entirely sure how to rate this hotel. It is not particularly central, the service can be inconsistent, the breakfast falls short of expectations, and both the gym and spa are disappointing for a property of this calibre. On the other hand, I loved the quiet room and exceptionally comfortable bed, some members of staff were genuinely outstanding, and the building itself is a pleasure to return to after a day in the city. I would happily stay here again if the price were right. However, in many cases, you can find a more central property with stronger overall facilities for a similar rate.

Excellent short stay. High quality rooms, and great design. Definitely recommend!

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in early August. The river and the trolly stop are right in front of the hotel, very convenient, and great views. The entire staff was very friendly and helpful in all respects, including suggestions and tips for our visit. The property was very clean, and our room was comfortable and conveniently set up. The hotel is set back from the road and river just enough to be quiet at night. We would definitely stay there again. J&C

From check in to check out, the experience was fabulous! Beautiful hotel! We were greeted with a lovely complimentary glass of champagne. Room was clean and stylish. AC worked great! We requested a fan, for white noise, and they delivered right away. We needed ice packs frozen for medications. They accommodated us with a smile. Breakfast was so delicious and the variety was bountiful! Rooftop bar had a great bartender, Garrett. He was friendly, helpful, and made great drinks. They took care of delivering our luggage upon arrival and departure. Overall a great experience!