Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest Review
The Párisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest opened in June 2019, less than a month before my four night stay. Housed in a 100+ year old former office building and shopping arcade, the property went through a four year renovation to reopen as the hotel.
The hotel is branded as a Hyatt Unbound Collection property. Currently there are less than 20 properties in the collection that fits into the Hyatt brands as unique buildings that tend to be on the luxury end of the scale. Standard rates for a night in a standard room start at $300+. This is one of the most expensive hotels in Budapest (overall a cheap city by European standards).
The amazing thing is that currently (and I doubt this will last long), the cost in points redemption for one night is only 8,000 Hyatt points. I value Hyatt points at around 1.2 cents — this is an extremely good use of points. One of the best I have ever seen for your average night even if you believe that the cash rate is inflated.
Even better, Hyatt is currently running a promo for new properties where you get 500 points per night — even on points stays. So that essentially lowers the redemption price to 7,500 points per night; less than most Hyatt House properties.
What’s more, this property has a lounge for those Globalists or Explorists that want to use a lounge certificate.
Location
Budapest is a very large city divided in two. The Párisi Udvar is located on the Pest side in the inner city near the Elizabeth bridge. It is set about two blocks back from the river so there isn’t a river view from most of the rooms except perhaps the two penthouse residences.
The area around the hotel is definitely touristy — there are Thai massage parlors and overpriced restaurants all around. The main tourist street Váci Utca runs a block over. With that said, the location is convenient. The M3 subway has a stop (Ferenciek tere) outside the main entrance. The airport bus drops passengers off two blocks away at Astoria.
Check In
I arrived in the afternoon and there was no wait at the registration desk. Later I would be told by a staff member that occupancy rates are low (which makes sense as it is a newly opened hotel). The staff spoke good English and were very professional. Most of the staff came over from the Buda Bar Hotel, another high end property and managed by the same company, that recently closed. In addition to checking me in, they offered me an overview of the city and explanation of the hotel amenities.
The entire ground floor (floor 0) of the property is an old shopping arcade that runs the length of the building. The check in desk is at one end and restaurants take up the other areas. The building has been masterfully restored and is breathtaking. Throughout my stay many tourists came through just to take photos of the “lobby”.
Guest rooms are on floors 1-5 with the penthouse residences on floor 6. Room key is required for access to any guest floor.
Room
I was assigned room 316 and was upgraded to a 1 King Bed Ferenciek View Room as an Explorist. As this is an old building, each room is unique in layout, size, and view. Room 316 is just across from the elevators though noise was never an issue (I could hear my neighbors closing their door but that was it).
As you enter the room, there is a hall with the large bathroom on the left.
The bed is in the middle of the room with windows and desk against one side, closet and mini bar against the other. The bed faces the wall with the TV. There is a bench at the foot of the bed. Additionally there is an arm chair in one corner.
The closet has two sections and includes a safe.
Above the mini bar is Nespresso type machine. Two bottles of water are complimentary and replaced each day.
I found the lighting to be too high tech. I counted at least six sensors throughout the room that would turn lights on or off depending on if it sensed movement. I appreciated the night lights built into the baseboards that would turn on if you got up in the night, but the bathroom night light turned on at random times (and never when I actually wanted it to). There is even a light inside the toilet.
The view from the room is pleasant and will be nicer once the construction on the opposite hotel (a Marriott I am told, to the right of the building below) is finished.
The window has three different curtain systems. Sheer, blackout, and external sun shade. The first two are controlled by hand while the shade is actually between two windows and is controlled by switches at the bed or on the wall by the TV.
The overall look of the room is light – lots of whites and gold and all very modern. The carpet is already showing some wear and should probably be replaced with a hard surface.
Bathroom
The bathroom follows the trend of using whites with marble like stone walls. A huge mirror with built in lighting is above the generous counter and single vanity.
Soaking tub is against one wall.
Large shower with both rain head and handheld wand is opposite the tub. Toilet with overly complicated bidet is next to the shower.
The bath products are Noir branded.
Lounge
The lounge is located in the atrium of the floor 1 (to the left off of the elevators). Unlike most lounges I have encountered, it is not in a space that could be used for rooms but is in a communal space — though only those with access are allowed to use it. I was told that they try to put guests with lounge access in the rooms just off the lounge (though these would seem to have worse views and more noise).
In addition to the atrium seating area, the food and drinks are located in a separate room. Breakfast is served and includes the standard cold options in addition to three warm options (sausage, bacon, egg). Guests can also order an egg dish from the restaurant to be brought up free of charge.
In the evenings there are small dishes and desserts. Beverages are available throughout the day with small snacks.
The staff in the lounge did a great job of getting to know each guest (I am sure the low occupancy helped). I found them friendly and incredibly helpful.
Gym and Spa
While there is no pool, there is a work out facility in addition to a spa. Services are available and guests are able to use the facility for free. Facilities include gender integrated steam room, sauna and jacuzzi (though not yet open during my visit).
Overall
Throughout my stay the staff were incredibly attentive, helpful, and friendly. There is a strong security presence which I suppose is necessary for the clientele — as an example the cast and crew of Black Widow stayed at the property during their time filming Budapest. Housekeeping was thorough with twice daily visits including an evening turn down service.
I didn’t eat in any of the restaurants so I can’t speak to the quality.
I enjoyed walking around the property and seeing the details of the original building and how they have been renovated. Even the stairs between floors, which most people probably never use, are incredibly detailed with stained glass.
I assume the cost for points redemption will go up. I think 20,000 points would be reasonable for this property. I absolutely would suggest checking it out if you find yourself in Budapest.
