A Heritage hotel in Budapest
About the hotel
Who: Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Where: Váci utca 36, 1056, Budapest, Hungary (Pest side of Budapest)
What: Matild Palace is situated in one of the twin palaces right before the Erzsébet Bridge which connects Buda and Pest.
Room Type: Deluxe Room
First Impressions
This was our first time staying in Budapest and Hungary was the last stop on our Europe Christmas Markets trip. We were very relieved to see we picked somewhere very close to the station and perfectly situated to get between Buda and Pest. Check-in was seamless and within minutes we were already in our room (I did dawdle around a bit before going up to take in all the beautiful Christmas decorations to help me get in the spirit after a long train ride).
The Look
The building itself is a treasure of Budapest, and really makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the Golden Age of Hungary (but with the convenience of a lift). The building is from the turn of the 19th century but the heritage has not been lost here as it still retains that Art Nouveau style that you’ve travelled all the way to Budapest to experience.
The Room
It’s not often that you go to a city hotel bathroom and say “I wish this was my apartment”, but that is what you’ll find yourself thinking here. Just like a high schooler blindly following the queen bee Regina George, I saw Matild Palace tiled their shower room in turquoise mosaic tiles so I went and tiled my shower room in turquoise mosaic tiles.
The quality of the room furnishings are high, and with a mirror that is also a TV (this blew my mind) I did consider if it was really worth leaving my room (don’t worry, I did talk myself into it).
And the thing is, we stayed in the Deluxe Room. Can you imagine how good the other ones are!?
The Facilities
There is a spa and a gym which are on the basement floor, both of which we did not use but we did take a tour around the facilities (did I mention we were on our last stop around Europe? We were barely human anymore). The spa has a sauna and steam room which is so beautiful. It has a similar aesthetic to the gorgeous bathroom I was ranting about before so you know I need to come back here when I return to human form.
Instead, I took myself back up to my room with firm plans to unpack my luggage and find an outfit to wear to dinner – but instead fell asleep on the bed. Welcome to travel life.
The Food & Drink
There is also a rooftop bar (Duchess), cabaret club, and restaurant (Spago by Wolfgang Puck, a Michelin Guide restaurant) – all of which we didn’t go to. Yeah, I know, I know. I have to go back.
Lastly, there is a cafe called the Matild Cafe. This we did go to. It is a gorgeous old-world cafe that is like a grand Viennese coffee house (and yes, they have soy milk!).
The Location
Matild Palace has the most perfect location and let me tell you why.
Firstly, you can literally walk over to Buda. The bridge is right there. Secondly, you’re a quick walk to most of the attractions and the train station on the Pest side.
Thirdly, and maybe most importantly, there is a Starbucks right outside and Starbucks in Budapest has like 1 million vegan options (or 10, but that is a lot in Vegan World).
It took us about 20 minutes to stroll to St. Stephen’s Basilica. That first night headed out and made sure to go to the Christmas Markets on the way. We walked over to the parliament building after exploring St. Stephen’s Basilica and walked home along the Danube River.
The next day, we took the bus over to Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle in the morning to take in the morning views which was super easy as the bus stop is right outside the Matild Palace (you can choose to walk if you want to!)
how to book Matild Palace, Budapest
My favourite way to book hotels is through Booking.com. Booking.com offers a price guarantee (even when not paying upfront and paying at the hotel), they match prices, and they also offer a wide range of rooms with benefits (like afternoon tea and breakfast). Click to see the availability for Matild Palace.
VERDICT
My Grade:
5/5
High point of my stay:
Did I mention the bathroom? I’m pretty sure I mentioned the bathroom, right?
Low point of my stay:
They didn’t have their signature Le Chemin by Byredo products while we were there.
Who would love to stay at Matild Palace?
I think Matild Palace would be suited to couples (especially DINK couples) who are looking for a place to stay in Budapest that is an experience in itself. If you’re looking to experience Hungarian architecture, heritage cafes, and want somewhere you can come home to and still have a cocktail at a rooftop bar and look out at the Danube River while still being walking distance to everything you’ll need, this is your jam.
Did this article speak to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re on Instagram, you can find me over here: @apicturesquelife so feel free to reach out or use #apicturesquelife and I’d be happy to connect!