"Opened in 2015, this colorful spot from NYC-based The Library Collection celebrates music—and music lovers. Set in the historic city center, near pedestrian dining and shopping streets, the restored 19th-century bank now houses 48 rooms and suites spread over four genre-themed towers. Each accommodation is named for musical legends in that theme, so think names like Puccini in the Opera tower, Billie Holliday in Jazz, Prince in Contemporary, and Chopin in Classical. The decorative style and details vary slightly depending on the genre (Classical rooms have Murano glass chandeliers, for example, while Jazz ones have Art Nouveau-inspired furniture), but aside from caricatures of the featured artists and related books and CDs, the vibrant décor isn’t kitschy or themed. Instead, guests can expect luxurious comforts like high-end (and customizable) bedding, home theater-grade entertainment systems (linked to a digital music library), onyx-lined bathrooms, and Handy 4G phones for complimentary international calling. Downstairs, the glass-roofed Music Garden courtyard is the place for breakfast, daily afternoon wine and cheese hour, and live music performances (all complimentary), while the fireplace- and terrace-equipped Satchmo’s lounge pairs cocktails with jazz, and the Stradivari Restaurant serves Hungarian-inspired farm-to-table menus amid strikingly bold décor. The underground Harmony Spa relaxes with holistic therapies, a heated pool, and saunas and steams rooms, while the rooftop High Note Sky Bar—open year-round—has become one of the hottest hangouts in town for its spectacular views (get there early to snag one of the floating “love nest” seating nooks). Don’t miss a visit to the lobby-level office of the in-house Musical Director, who can help plan itineraries, source tickets, create city-themed playlists, or lend you a concert DVD to watch in the hotel’s private screening room."

"Part of a boutique brand of art-centric European properties, Art’otel is one of six chic stays, each of which showcases pieces by different post-1945 artists, from Andy Warhol (in Berlin) to Dutch star Joepvan Lieshout in Amsterdam . At the Budapest incarnation, 579 works by contemporary U.S. painter Donald Sultan are spread across 165 sleek accommodations that overlook the Danube or Buda Castle, as well as in various common areas, from the restaurant to the meeting rooms. There’s also a fitness center and event space for up to 180 guests, but perhaps the biggest selling point is the location. Right in the center of town, the hotel sits about a 10-minute walk south of the city’s iconic Chain Bridge."

"Situated in the historic Buda Castle district, amid bustling restaurants and pubs, this intimate design hotel has just 11 individually appointed rooms that feel like hidden gems. Warm wood paneling and moody hues envelop you in the reception area, and many of the interiors are inspired by the works of famous artists and designers—the two-bedroom Baltazar Loft is a standout, with Keith Haring–inspired artwork on exposed brick walls and two king-size beds. A free hot breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant makes this a good value for money-conscious travelers; those who stick around for lunch and dinner can enjoy grilled meats cooked up in the Spanish-style charcoal Josper oven over a glass of Hungarian wine, then hit the town. The hotel is one of a number of properties run by the local Zsidai family, who also own some of the city’s trendiest boîtes, including an Italian concept restaurant in partnership with Britain’s beloved chef Jamie Oliver."

"If you’re looking for a no-frills base for exploring the city on foot, look no further than Bohem Art Hotel, a four-star boutique propertynear Váci Street, across from Gellért Hill, and just steps fromthe Danube. Given their central location, the 60 crisp white rooms look way better than they need to: each features bold red and black accents and work by a specific contemporary artist, and guests are encouraged to choose the room they’d like to stay in by reviewing the artists’ CVs, which are listed on the hotel’s website. Large groups will appreciate the not only triple- but also quadruple-room configurations, as well as a handful of suites with sofa beds and huge bathrooms. And if it’s too daunting a task to choose a local bar for pre-dinner cocktails, Bohem has you covered with its lobby lounge."

"Founded in what was previously an artists’ residence, Brody House fittingly takes its name from Hungarian author Sándor Bródy. Each of the 11 air-conditioned rooms features a bohemian mix of upcycled furniture—think sofas with frames crafted from old shipping pallets and accent walls made with old wooden doors—and some have claw-foot tubs. The hotel is part of a larger effort that includes condo-style accommodations (Brody Apartments), a grand suburban villa (Brody Villa), and an art gallery (The Art Yard). However, the group's best-known property is Brody Studios, a private-members club for the local arts communities featuring bars, workshops, and even a recording studio. All guests staying at Brody sites get free access to the space and its regular calendar of dance parties and literature- and art-related events as well as the occasional English-language comedy show."

"Corinthia Hotel Budapest Opened as the Grand Hotel Royal in 1896,the luxurious Corinthia Hotel has a long and storied past. It was here that the first film was ever screened in Budapest, and the building weathered fires and war before relaunching in its most recent incarnation in 2004. Travelers who really want to learn about the hotel’s history can take one of two weekly tours with manager Tibor Meskál, who has worked on and off here since 1961. Though the original interiors were demolished long ago, the property nevertheless retains a regal atmosphere. Italian limestone, Spanish marble, and gilded molding lend a sense of grandeur in the Grand Ballroom, a marble lobby is accented with swirling golden filigrees in the flooring, and guest rooms feature warm wood furnishings and creamy palettes. Even the leisure facilities skew toward the opulent: the courtyard-style indoor swimming pool is topped with a stunning stained-glass ceiling."

"An Art Nouveau hotel on thewestern (Buda) side of the River Danube, just below Géllert Hill, Danubius Hotel Gellért first opened its doors in 1918, and quickly became one of the city’s most popular places to stay, attracting international royalty and a fair number of U.S. presidents. Today, the hotel’s biggest draw is the Géllert Spa, a sprawling complex comprised of multiple hot-spring baths along with steam rooms, saunas, and an outdoor wave pool that dates to 1927. The 234 rooms are large and elegant, with classical furnishings that echo the stately historical atmosphere of the common areas. Dine under crystal chandeliers at Panoráma restaurant, and don’t miss the huge stained-glass pictorial windows and wrought-iron banisters that ornament the main staircase."

"It’s hard to say what’s most appealing about the ultraluxurious Four Seasons Gresham Palace, a stately Art Nouveau hotel on the banks of the Danube. Perhaps it’s the central location, on the Pest side of the iconic Chain Bridge, or the swank accommodations, which range from lovely river-racing rooms with marble bathrooms and deep soaking tubs to sumptuous suites, the largest of which measures 1,464 square feet and features a dining room with crystal stemware and private butler service. With its top-floor infinity pool and picture windows overlooking the city, the spa alone makes a stay worthwhile—a coup in a city known for its thermal bath complexes—but for many travelers, it’s the hearty dishes served at Kollázs Brasserie & Bar (rotisserie lamb shoulder with eggplant and olives; octopus and scallops with potato paprikash) that seal the deal."

"Set in the heart of the Gastronomic Quarter Downtown neighborhood, near theBudapestEye Ferris wheel, Fashion Street, and the river, this upscale hotel draws from all its surrounding influences. The 351 rooms and suites blend traditionally elegant décor with contemporary touches like Nespresso machines, Ferragamo bath amenities, Smart TVs, and—a unique perk—24-hour room service from the on-site Nobu restaurant. Many rooms have views of Erzsebet Park, while suites—particularly the five in the top-level Corvinus Suite Collection—have more extensive vistas, along with original artwork, additional living and dining space, and furnishings and decorative items that reflect Hungarian artisan traditions. (Note that a floor-by-floor renovation of the rooms is scheduled to finish in March 2019.) On the food and beverage front, options range from the aforementioned Nobu—as refined and on-point as all the sushi master’s other outposts—to a cozy coffeehouse, modern bistro, New York-style deli, and the intimate Blue Fox Bar. Wellness is also a top draw: along with a fitness center, indoor pool, and Jacuzzi, highlights include a tepidarium with steam rooms, Finnish and bio saunas, a menu of holistic Elemental Herbology treatments, and a relaxation atrium from which you can spy the tops of nearby historic buildings."

"Housed in an elegant 1880s edifice that has served as a bank, an office building, and a movie theater (allegedly Budapest’s first), Hotel Moments was renovated and launched as a boutique hotel in 2016. The 99 rooms range in size from 225 to 850 square feet, and have contemporary decor and luxury touches such as herringbone wood floors, rain showers, and crushed-velvet bed runners. Particularly impressive is the Basilica Suite, which offers a bird’s eye view of Saint Stephen’s Basilica through skylights in its angled ceilings—even in the bathroom. There’s also a small fitness center with a sauna as well as a chic restaurant, Bistro Fine, where you can taste Hungarian and international wines without hestitation thanks to a state-of-the-art dispenser that opens bottles without allowing air into them."

"Equal parts quirk and luxury, Soho Boutique Hotel is a funky stay with friendly staff and a sleek-and-chic vibe. It has conference facilities and high-speed internet for business travelers, but its location right next to Váci Street, the city’s main pedestrian shopping zone, makes it just as appealing to tourists. The 76 rooms and most of the eight suites feature contemporary decor that’s a hodgepodge of modern and midcentury revival styles with 1970s color schemes (think bright hues of orange and olive green). However, a couple of the suites stray from the hotel’s general vibe, insteadhighlighting goth accoutrements such as black chandeliers and purple walls in honor of a local theatrical performance called Dance of the Vampires . Fittingly, free tickets to the show as well as spooky welcome drinks are included in the price."