If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Hungary, I highly recommend the Aria Hotel Budapest!
We stayed at the hotel for 2 nights to extend our stay in Budapest following our Emerald River Cruise on the Danube River.
I’m sharing more about why it’s our favorite new hotel. After you stay at the Aria Hotel Budapest, you’ll understand why too.
I was a guest of Aria Hotel Budapest. All opinions are my own.
1. It’s a Luxury Boutique Hotel Design Inspired By Music
The Aria Hotel Budapest is a music-themed hotel with a playful nod to music in both the public spaces and guest rooms.
The literal meaning of “aria” is a long accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera house or oratorio.
This luxury boutique hotel does a wonderful job of continuing the musical concept in each space that you enter in unique and surprising ways with exquisite design.
As soon as you walk in the Aria Hotel Budapest your eyes are immediately drawn to the giant piano key floor tiles winding the lobby floor.
Master designer Zoltan Varro’s vision was to experience a lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace with the warmth and comfort of a private residence simultaneously.
The Aria Hotel Budapest is also a member of the Library Hotel Collection with properties that are located in New York, Prague and Toronto by the mastermind of Henry Kallan.
What are the core characteristics of a Library Hotel Collection property?
- Unique Concepts and Beautiful Designs
- Exceptional Locations
- Kind, Unpretentious Hospitality
- A Wealth of Amenities
- Refreshments in their Club Lounges
Musical Concept Wings of the Aria Hotel Budapest
There are four themed wings of the hotel.
- Contemporary Wing
- Opera Wing
- Jazz Wing
- Classical Wing
Each of the 49 rooms at the Aria Hotel Budapest pay tribute the world’s greatest musical legends with caricatures by international artist Joseph Blecha.
During our visit, a member of their customer service team gave us a tour of some other rooms in the hotel so that we could see how the rooms varied.
Here is a sample of some of the music legends inspiring the great style in the individual rooms.
- Mozart
- Maria Callas
- Michael Jackson
- Elvis Presley
- Frank Sinatra
- Count Basie
- Whitney Houston
- Bob Dylan
- James Brown
- Franz Liszt (one of the world’s greatest classical pianists)
Types of Rooms and Suites at the Aria Hotel Budapest
Guest can choose from a variety of luxury rooms and suites.
- Luxury Room with 1 King Bed
- Aria Signature Room 1 King Bed- Music Garden Balcony View
- Aria Signature Room with 1 King Bed- City View
- Grand Luxury Room with 2 Full Beds- City View
- Two Bedroom, Two Bath Family Duet
- Opera Suite with 1 King Bed, Plus a Sofabed – City View
- Romeo & Juliet Opera Balcony Suite with 1 King, Plus a Sofabed- City View
- La Traviata- Two (or One) Bedroom Terrace Suite
- Terrace Room with 1 Euro King Bed
- The Liszt Studio
- SunRoom with 1 King Bed
- Create Your Own Suite
If you are staying with multiple family members you can customize your room type according to your needs.
Tour of the Terrace Room at the Aria Hotel Budapest
We stayed in The Terrace Room pictured above, which is located in the Classical Music Wing of the hotel.
The theme of the room was dedicated to Niccolo Paganini, an Italian composer and violinist.
I loved all of the details of the music-inspired decor throughout the room including the carpet.
We also enjoyed having access to the private terrace from our room.
Our bathroom had a beautiful chandelier light fixture, large shower, and bath tub.
The bathrooms in the hotel also have heated towel racks and a bidet toilet.
Room Amenities at the Aria Hotel Budapest
This hotel comes with a long list of perks.
The following amenities are available for guests during their stay.
- Nespresso Machines for Complimentary Coffee and Tea
- Free Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Bottled Spring Water
- Docking Station for iPhone and Android
- An Interactive Multimedia Entertainment System & Blue-ray players
- In-room iPad
- Complimentary In-Room Laptop Safe
- Individual Temperature Control
- Signature Bathrobe and Slippers
- Handheld hair dryer & makeup mirror
- Molton Brown Products
- Complimentary International Newspapers
- Access to Digital Music Library
- Turndown Service with Fine Sweets
It’s Easy to Sleep Well
It’s very easy to enjoy a great night’s sleep at the Aria Hotel because all of their beds can be customized to your comfort preferences.
If you prefer a firmer bed, the pillow top can be removed or you can request an additional foam mattress topper if you prefer a softer sleep experience.
We had no problems falling asleep quickly with the mattress just as it was, the perfect blend of soft and firm.
As a bonus, fine chocolates are left on the speciality pillows during turndown service.
Complimentary Sleep Enhancements Available During Your Stay
Guests also have access to these complimentary sleep enhancements to ensure good sleep during their stay:
- Ear Plugs & Satin Eye Masks
- Night Lights
- Sleep Phones
- Hypoallergenic blankets/ duvet
- Summer blanket
- Pillow options (Hypoallergenic, Memory Foam, Ergonomic, Neck, Organic, Maternity, Child)
Relax at Harmony Spa Wellness Center
From 7am – 10 pm, hotel guests have daily complimentary access to the following amenities at Harmony Spa Wellness Center:
- Heated indoor swimming pool
- Aqua Bicycles
- Jacuzzi hot tub
- Exercise Room with cardio machines
- Aromatic Steam Room
- Infrared Sauna
- Finnish Sauna
- Free Weights
There is plenty of comfortable seating by the indoor pool to enjoy in-between dips in the pool or jacuzzi.
The underground spa has an assortment of treatments available for an additional fee. During warmer weather you can also book a Private Harmony Rooftop Yoga Session.
2. Breathtaking Views of Budapest from High Note Skybar
The High Note Skybar at the Aria Hotel Budapest has made multiple lists as one of top rooftop bars.
In fact, Conde Naste Traveler voted the High Note Skybar as one of the best rooftops bars in the world!
It’s easy to see why with its stunning year-round rooftop with 360 degree city views.
I would highly recommend an advanced reservation to get your preferred day and time.
Hotel guests are given some priority but you still need to plan ahead.
You can book your reservation online or via phone ahead of time.
This is very popular rooftop bar for obvious reasons. The views of Budapest from the rooftop are absolutely incredible!
If you make your reservation time around sunset you’ll get the best of both worlds with both daylight and nighttime views.
Sunset times can vary, so I would suggest double checking the local weather app for the sunset time and plan accordingly.
The High Note Skybar is open from 4pm-12 am on weekdays and 2pm -12am Friday-Sunday.
If you have a late night, the beautiful part is that your room is only an elevator ride away at the end of the evening.
Views From the Panorama Tower Areas
If the Panorama Tower areas are open I also recommend enjoying the vantage points of the city from there for another perspective.
Those areas can be reserved with a minimum hourly consumption fee. The sections have seating areas that are perfect for a group.
Drinks and Desserts at High Note Skybar
We opted for drinks and dessert during our time at the rooftop bar because we had diner prior to our arrival. There are plenty of options on the menu if you choose to eat a meal during your reservation.
My husband enjoyed trying different types of Hungarian gin and I tried a few cocktails.
One of our friends from the states joined us for drinks that night so we had an excuse to share three desserts.
We ordered the carrot cake, Citrus, and Rákóczi cottage cheese. The carrot cake was our favorite of the three.
3. Complimentary Breakfast Each Morning AND Complimentary Afternoon Wine & Cheese
Free wine and cheese??!! YES, please!
Yes, hotel guests get complimentary daily breakfast AND afternoon wine and cheese in the Music Garden during your stay.
This beautiful space is filled with lots of comfortable seating and natural light thanks to the large glass roof above.
What made the experience even better was that we enjoyed the afternoon wine and cheese reception while listening to live music. There is live musical entertainment at the hotel daily.
In the morning, the complimentary buffet breakfast includes pastries, fresh fruit, eggs made-to-order and specialty coffees and tea.
The Aria Hotel also has a room service menu that you can order from during your stay.
4. Beautiful Private Terraces and Inner Balcony Views
Our specific room had the best of both worlds with a private terrace AND access to an inner balcony view of the Music Garden Courtyard across the hall.
Our private terrace had two chairs and a round outdoor sofa perfect for lounging on.
We could hear sounds of the city once we stepped outside without hearing the city once we stepped back inside our room.
Either balcony option is a wonderful choice if you want coffee with a view.
The Inner Balcony views reminded me of the architecture in New Orleans. Guests can enjoy plenty of sunlight from the open-air balcony surrounded by multi levels of greenery.
You can also appreciate the design of the large piano keyboard in the Music Garden Courtyard below when you gaze downward.
5. Great Location Next to St. Stephen’s Basilica
The Aria Hotel Budapest is located in the historic city center next to St. Stephen’s Basilica. This is a very popular area of Budapest both day and night with lots of shops, restaurants and bars nearby.
It’s also only a 10 minute walk from the hotel to the Chain Bridge.
The central location of the Aria Hotel Budapest makes it a great base for exploring the city. It also reduces your need for shopping for car rentals while in Budapest.
We really fell in love with Budapest even more after wandering the streets, eating the local foods and absorbing the culture. If you are visiting Central Europe, don’t miss spending a few days here!
As an added bonus you are across the street from Gelarto Rosa known for their rose petal ice cream.
We also took advantage of public transportation during our visit and used the bus and subway system as stations were located just a short walk from the hotel.
I also recommend checking out one of the thermal baths in Budapest, which also happens to be the “Thermal Bath Capital of the World.”
The thermal baths are sourced from natural thermal springs with various temperatures ranging from warm to hot.
We enjoyed visiting Széchenyi Thermal Bath for a few hours one afternoon during our stay.
Where is the Aria Hotel Budapest Located?
The Aria Hotel Budapest is located at Hercegprímás Street 5, Budapest H-1051.
Spaces for Private Events at Aria Hotel Budapest
If you are planning a wedding, birthday or special event there are several spaces available to rent for private gatherings.
- High Note Sky Bar
- Teatro Aria
- Pavillion
- Panorama Terraces
- Library
- Mirror Room
Book Your Next Stay at the Aria Hotel Budapest
When you book at least a 2-night minimum stay, you can save 15% from their Best Available Rate.
You can save on your next stay at the Aria Hotel Budapest with my affiliate link here.
Definitely worth the splurge! Hope you get back there soon!
What a great trip down memory lane. I enjoyed a stay at the Aria Hotel with my family two years ago. After backpacking in Hungary for 10 days staying at very cheap hotels and AIRbnb’s we needed some luxury. Could only squeeze one night into the budget but no regrets. Such a lovely hotel. Need to go back some day 🙂