Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest

We recently stayed at the Matild Palace in Budapest, and it is truly one of the most beautiful hotels we have ever experienced. The property itself is breathtaking, but what truly sets it apart is its exceptional staff, whose warmth and professionalism made our stay unforgettable. Before our arrival, I had the pleasure of corresponding with Esra, who graciously arranged a room upgrade and breakfast for us. As longtime Marriott Titanium/Platinum members who have spent hundreds of nights at Marriott properties around the world, this thoughtful gesture was greatly appreciated. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Lily, who checked us into two fabulous rooms with spectacular views. Concierge Daniel was outstanding, helping us navigate the city and arranging dinner at a wonderful local restaurant. He also provided excellent recommendations and directions for visiting the Hungarian Parliament, the Shoes on the Danube Memorial, St. Stephen's Basilica, and the Dohány Street Synagogue. When we returned to the hotel, Daniel introduced us to Victoria, who escorted us to The Duchess rooftop bar. This is an absolute must visit—the panoramic views of Budapest are simply spectacular! The following day, Istvan was incredibly helpful in planning an itinerary which included a visit to Buda Castle and a walk across the iconic Chain Bridge. That evening, we had a delicious dinner at Cova, the hotel's beautifully renovated restaurant. We were also fortunate to enjoy breakfast there the next morning, which was equally excellent. In summary, Matild Palace exceeded every expectation. It is a true gem, not only in Budapest, but among the finest hotels we have stayed in anywhere. The combination of a magnificent property and genuinely world class service makes this a hotel we recommend without hesitation. Our sincere thanks to Esra, Lily, Daniel, Victoria, Istvan, and the entire team for making our stay so memorable! We cannot wait to return.

We went to Budapest because our trip to Thailand and the Maldives was cancelled due to the unfortunate war in the Middle East. Obviously we didn’t have the climate of southwest Asia, but we found the warmth in the kindness of the staff at the Matild Palace. The hotel is elegant and comfortable at the same time. The breakfast buffet was superb. Everything was varied and tasty. We had reserved a room with a balcony and when we arrived there was a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and cake for my birthday. The bathroom was an experience in itself. It is completely decorated in art nouveau blue, gold and turquoise mosaics. The room was clean and quiet. The spa is very relaxing (sauna, steam room, etc). They supply towels, drinks and snacks. You couldn’t find a better location as it’s in the heart of the city. Practically everything is in walking distance or a short trip on very practical public transport. I would go back in a heartbeat. As they say locally, “ Nagyon szépen köszönöm!”

Matild Palace blows every other Marriott property we’ve ever stayed at OUT OF THE WATER! From location (perfect with walking access to most popular sites) to the gorgeous decor, incredible history, rooftop bar that’s exquisite (they give hotel guests priority) to the insanely gorgeous and tasty breakfast buffet (you can also order off the menu) at the newly remodeled Cova, everything about our stay was literally perfect. It was also such a value for a regular room and we were so happy to be able to use our ‘nightly upgrades’ for a one bedroom suite with balconies on either side of our room. The price for a regular room was half the price of our hotel room in Athens at a comparable level hotel. After walking into the St Regis next-door, trust me when I tell you that the Matild Palace is far superior. The views from the hotel are absolutely gorgeous, the sites and the Danube river (literally a block away) are stunning and the shopping & restaurants in the pedestrian walkway are right out the front door. The large Budapest market is a 15 minute walk as well and the Parliament building is about a 30 minute walk! The Jewish quarter with the ruins bars and so many beautiful restaurants and shops are only a 20 minute walk as well. We absolutely fell in love with Budapest and can’t wait to go back- such a young, vibrant city with so much to offer and we felt so safe, no matter what time of day or night we walked around. We had so many incredible meals. I can’t even remember them all. One night after midnight, we walked from dinner in the Buda side to the Pest side to the hotel and saw tons of young people and single women walking without a care in the world. A special shout out to Matild Palace manager Katherine in the Cova restaurant. We spoke with her a couple of times at breakfast, and it is so clear that she and her coworkers run a very tight ship with very pleasant, respectful, kind employees with a work culture that must be positive because everyone seemed very happy and friendly, with a constant smile on their face. We felt very taken care of, and they checked in several times to ensure that we were enjoying our stay and didn’t need anything. I wish Marriott employees in other locations, especially in the US, could spend one week at the Matild Palace and be re-trained in how to give the best customer service. Thanks for an absolutely exceptional vacation!

This was our second stay at Matild Palace, and somehow it exceeded our already high expectations. If you have the opportunity, book the Elisabeth Bridge Suite (Room 212). It is simply stunning. The room is beautifully designed, exceptionally spacious, and absolutely spotless. Every window offers a wonderful view, with the one overlooking the Danube and Elisabeth Bridge being particularly spectacular, especially at sunset. The huge marble bathroom, comfortable bed, excellent espresso machine and attention to every detail make it a suite we would happily return to again and again. As frequent luxury travellers, we are not easy to impress, yet Matild Palace managed to do exactly that. A special thank you to István Szűcs, Senior Concierge and proud Les Clefs d’Or member. His knowledge, professionalism and genuine willingness to help made every request effortless. Nothing was too much trouble, and every request was handled within minutes. This is exactly what a world-class concierge should be. The welcome amenity on arrival was beautifully presented and a lovely personal touch. Breakfast deserves special mention. It is among the best hotel breakfasts we have experienced. The setting is elegant, the presentation outstanding, and the quality of the food exceptional. The combination of buffet and à la carte works perfectly. Everything is fresh, beautifully prepared and served with genuine warmth. The service is remarkable, with staff constantly checking whether you would like another coffee or anything else, yet never being intrusive. It feels more like breakfast in a Michelin-starred restaurant than in a hotel. The gym is another pleasant surprise. It is spacious, very well equipped, impeccably maintained, and stocked with thoughtful touches including towels, still and sparkling water, making it feel like a professional fitness club. The rooftop bar, the elegant lobby and the atmosphere throughout the hotel complete the experience. Every member of the team genuinely seems to care. Our first stay was excellent. This one was even better. Matild Palace remains one of the finest luxury hotels in Budapest, and we cannot recommend it highly enough. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

The Cova in Matild a perfect Italian Dolce Vita which meets the quite luxury with a hint of Hungarian History! The historical interior and the attentive service makes this place a fantastic journey! Stunnig location, in the very heart of Budapest! The sweets were were way above expectations! Mr Benedek Molnár made our stay just superb and his fantastic presentation about the Cova was amazing! Thank you for the true moment