Budapest has a way of sweeping you up into its story. From grand boulevards lined with 19th-century façades to thermal baths steaming in the winter air, Hungary’s capital feels theatrical, romantic and layered with history. For our family city break, spending three days in Budapest, we wanted somewhere that gave us space to breathe after long days of sightseeing, but still placed us firmly in the centre of the action. Our stay at NH Collection Budapest City delivered exactly that.
This modern all-suite hotel proved to be an ideal base for exploring the city with three children in tow. Spacious, thoughtful and quietly luxurious, it offered all the comforts of home with the polish you’d expect from the NH Collection brand. And with its connection to one of Budapest’s most iconic historic hotels next door, it also came with a generous slice of grandeur.
If you’re planning a family trip to Hungary’s capital and wondering where to stay, here’s our detailed review of NH Collection Budapest City. It was the perfect base on our winter trip to Budapest.
Read our full 3 day Budapest itinerary here.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Table of Contents
Location – central yet calm
NH Collection Budapest City sits on Osvát Street in the 7th district, within easy walking distance of many of Budapest’s headline sights. The location is great – close enough to all the sites and transport but hidden away on a quieter side street so there’s not too much noise.
The hotel is directly linked to the magnificent Anantara New York Palace Budapest, one of the city’s most famous historic hotels. This connection means guests can access some of the neighbouring hotel’s facilities, including dining venues that feel positively palatial.
Within a short stroll you’ll find:
- New York Café – often described as the most beautiful café in the world
- Dohány Street Synagogue – the largest synagogue in Europe
- The elegant Andrássy Avenue
- Numerous ruin bars, cafés and restaurants
Public transport is also excellent. Trams and metro lines are close by, making it simple to reach the Danube, Buda Castle or the thermal baths.
For a family city break, this makes everything really easy. It was wonderful to walk out to explore but then have our times back at the hotel relaxing.
NH Collection Budapest City – the history around you
While NH Collection Budapest City itself is a contemporary property, its location means it’s the perfect place to enjoy the surrounding history of Pest. The district around the hotel flourished during Budapest’s late 19th-century golden age, when the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and experienced a cultural surge.
Just next door, the New York Palace building (home to the New York Café) opened in 1894. Designed by architect Alajos Hauszmann, it was commissioned by the New York Life Insurance Company and quickly became a hub for writers, poets and journalists. During its heyday, literary figures would gather beneath its frescoed ceilings to debate, write and dream.
The building survived the devastation of the Second World War, the brutal period of Arrow Cross rule, and decades of Communist austerity when many grand interiors were stripped back or neglected. Painstaking restoration in the early 2000s returned it to its former glory. Today, it stands as a glittering reminder of Budapest’s opulent past.
The New York Cafe is one of my favourite places in Budapest. It just oozes history and class and it feels really special to be there, enjoying it’s gorgeous surroundings.
Staying next door, with the freedom to step into that grandeur whenever you choose, adds something special to an already memorable trip.
Our two-bedroom suite – space to relax (NH Collection Budapest City)
Travelling as a family of five can make hotel stays tricky. Standard rooms rarely provide enough space, and squeezing everyone into one area can quickly feel cramped.
At NH Collection Budapest City, we stayed in one of their two-bedroom suites, and it was perfect for us.
The layout included:
- Two separate double bedrooms
- One with a large king-sized bed
- One with twin beds
- A spacious living area
- A third bed set up in the living room for our eldest son
- A generous bathroom with both bath and separate shower
- A kitchenette with cooking appliances
- Our own washing machine
From the moment we walked in, we were struck by how much space there was. The living area was large, with a comfortable lounge zone, dining table and kitchenette. After long days exploring Buda Castle, the Danube or the baths, it was the perfect space to relax into.
The kitchenette proved more useful than we expected. Even simple things like preparing snacks, storing drinks in the fridge or making tea when we fancied it made the suite feel like a home from home. The washing machine was a real luxury mid-stay – being able to wash everyone’s clothes halfway through the trip meant we could pack lighter and avoid returning home to mountains of laundry.
For families planning several days in Budapest, this is a wonderful place to feel like you’re actually living in the city.
The bathroom – generous and well equipped
The bathroom was large and thoughtfully designed. We loved the addition of the bath and a shower.
The toiletries were excellent quality, and there was plenty of space for everyone’s belongings. No balancing washbags on tiny sinks or competing for mirror space.
Touches like fluffy towels, good lighting and ample storage also made for a very comfortable stay.
Family friendly touches that made us smile
What really set this stay apart were the thoughtful details.
Each time we returned to the hotel, the lobby offered cookies and sweets for guests. A nice little greeting whenever we arrived back from sightseeing.
The children loved the animal-themed key cards. Instead of the standard anonymous plastic card, theirs featured the sweetest animal designs. I loved these too and think they should offer them for all ages.
Waiting in the suite were adorable animal-shaped cookies just for them – another lovely touch.
For me, there was also a pamper kit delivered to the room: fluffy slippers, pillow spray, an eye mask and chocolate-covered almonds. A lovely treat to come back to.
These are the kinds of touches that make a hotel memorable.
Dining experiences
Although NH Collection Budapest City offers its own dining options, one of the highlights of our stay was the seamless connection to the neighbouring Anantara hotel.
Dinner at the White Salon
One evening we dined at the White Salon restaurant next door, set within the historic New York Palace building. The meal was extraordinary – not only for the food, which was excellent, but for the setting.
High ceilings adorned with frescoes, gleaming marble columns, glittering chandeliers and live musicians created an atmosphere that felt almost theatrical. It wasn’t simply dinner; it was an event.
The service was polished without being stuffy, and the entire evening felt immersive and special. It’s not an inexpensive option, but it’s an experience we won’t forget.
Breakfast at New York Café
Guests at NH Collection Budapest City can choose to pay extra for breakfast at New York Café. We did, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Under gilded ceilings and sweeping balconies, we enjoyed an abundant breakfast spread. We lingered longer than usual simply soaking in the ambience with live musicians playing again as the snow fell outside. It really was magical.
Dining at NH Collection Budapest City
The hotel itself also offers meal options, including breakfast buffets and lighter fare suitable for families who prefer a more relaxed setting.
Exploring on foot – what’s near to the NH Collection Budapest City
One of the best aspects of staying at NH Collection Budapest City is how much you can explore on foot.
Dohány Street Synagogue
Just a short walk away is Dohány Street Synagogue. Completed in 1859 in Moorish Revival style, it is the largest synagogue in Europe. The complex includes a moving Holocaust memorial and museum, offering important insight into Hungary’s Jewish history.
Andrássy Avenue
This elegant boulevard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches towards Heroes’ Square and is lined with neo-Renaissance mansions and cultural institutions. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Hungarian State Opera House
The beautifully restored Hungarian State Opera House is also within walking distance. Opened in 1884, it’s one of Europe’s finest opera houses.
The Danube and Parliament
A longer but manageable walk (or short tram ride) takes you to the Danube. Here you can see the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building.
For families, being able to dip in and out of these sights without complicated logistics helps keep the trip enjoyable rather than exhausting.
Why the NH Collection Budapest City worked so well for us
Budapest is a city of contrasts: Buda’s hills and castles across the river, Pest’s grand boulevards and buzzing cafés. Exploring it fully involves a lot of walking. I think this is probably the most we have walked on any trip. Although there are other transport options, for us, we were happy to get out and explore on foot.
Coming back each evening to a spacious suite where everyone could unwind made all the difference. The children could relax in the lounge while we enjoyed a cup of tea. There was room to breathe.
The combination of practical features (kitchenette, washing machine, separate bedrooms) and thoughtful luxury touches (pamper kit, cookies, beautiful neighbouring dining spaces) created a stay that felt indulgent yet really suited to family travel.
Ready to book the NH Collection Budapest City?
Check availability and prices of the NH Collection Budapest City here.
Read more of our Hungary posts here –
Read all about winter in Budapest and our trip there. You can also read about our Italian stay here at the NH Collection Palazzo Verona, Italy – A review.
