For the past 20 years, my travel experiences have mostly been limited to Asian countries, with the exception of airport transits. To diversify my travel portfolio, I made a conscious decision to embark on a trip to Europe and explore multiple countries. Budapest was one of the destinations I chose, along with two other countries. In this post, I will share my experiences about the hotel where I stayed, elaborate on the mode of transportation I used to reach the hotel, and provide valuable tips for navigating the city. Additionally, I will accompany my narrative with relevant pictures to enhance the visual aspect of my journey. Stay tuned for insightful information and practical advice to make the most of your time in Budapest!
The LOT Polish airline landed in Budapest at around 7 pm. After collecting my luggage, I was searching for a taxi sign when I noticed a Mini Bud Airport Shuttle counter. The staff member at the counter was extremely friendly and helpful, and most importantly, she spoke English fluently. I provided her with my hotel name and address, and she informed me that the cost would be approximately 25 Euros. To my delight, she offered a round-trip ticket option, which I promptly purchased. I appreciated that they also accepted credit card payments. The staff member assured me that the shuttle driver would be at our hotel three hours before our departure time.
Mini Bud Airport Shuttle: Convenient Transportation to and from Budapest Airport
There were several other passengers, including myself, patiently waiting near the counter and keeping an eye on the monitor displaying ticket numbers. After just 15 minutes, my ticket number appeared on the screen, and I expressed my gratitude to the attendant. I then proceeded to the shuttle waiting area located on the right side after exiting the arrival gate. Although the shuttle wasn’t luxurious, it provided a comfortable ride to my hotel, which happened to be the last stop on the route. Overall, I found the Mini Bud Airport Shuttle experience to be convenient and satisfactory
Stay at Rooms SasOne: Your Budapest Accommodation Guide
I booked my hotel through Booking.com due to its attractive price and convenient location. Initially, I had expected a standard hotel with a 24-hour front desk service. However, a few days before my departure, the hotel sent me an email with instructions on how to access the property and obtain the room key. I found the instructions and numerical references quite confusing. I had to reach out directly to the hotel and also communicate with Booking.com to obtain clearer instructions, but unfortunately, it wasn’t very helpful.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Access the Property and Room
Prior to my departure, I carefully reviewed all the emails I had received from both the hotel and Booking.com. From these emails, I obtained two important numbers. One was a four-key sign, while the other was a four-digit number (e.g., “xxxx”). To access the property, I discovered that there was a front door with a specific code requirement: the digits “4,” “Keysign,” and “xxxx.” As I entered, a prominent sign displaying the hotel’s name caught my attention. For those with luggage, there was a convenient elevator available. Just before reaching the main door of my room, I encountered a line of mailboxes. The email had indicated a mailbox number, along with a corresponding four-digit password. In my case, my assigned mailbox was #2. Following the provided instructions, I entered the password “xxxx” to unlock the mailbox, allowing me to retrieve the key essential for accessing both the main door and my room. The accompanying pictures below provide a visual representation of the step-by-step process to enter the property and room
Step-by-Step Picture Guide to Accessing the Property and Room
The room at the hotel was simple yet comfortable, featuring clean beds and a well-maintained bathroom. It was a no-frills accommodation that provided a complimentary water bottle per stay and offered free Wi-Fi access. The front desk or reception operated from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. As I arrived after 6:30 pm, I received the key to my room without any paperwork and proceeded directly to my accommodation. The following morning, I completed the necessary paperwork at the front desk. The staff member at the front desk was exceptionally helpful, providing me with a map and offering guidance on obtaining bus tickets. They also informed me about the availability of Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus tickets, although I regretfully couldn’t take advantage of this option due to time constraints. Although the check-out time was set at 11:00 am, I was able to leave my luggage at the hotel until the front desk staff finished their shift at 6:30 PM.
Simple and Clean: A Comfortable Stay in Budapest
A complimentary breakfast was included in the room rate, and it was served in the breakfast room located on the same floor. The breakfast offered a variety of simple items such as bread, ham, juice, and coffee. Having breakfast available at the hotel was more convenient than getting ready and going out in search of a breakfast spot. It provided a fast and convenient start to the day
Breakfast Room
There is a grocery store conveniently located in the same building as the hotel, making it easy to purchase any necessary items. Moreover, there are numerous restaurants within walking distance, offering a variety of dining options. One of the highlights is the St. Stephen’s Basilica, which is just a 5-minute walk away. Within the basilica complex, coffee lovers will be pleased to find both Starbucks and California Coffee, providing convenient options for a caffeine fix. Additionally, a ferris wheel is situated near the hotel, allowing guests to enjoy a picturesque view right from their room.
There is a Metro train station within a 10-minute walk, and the station has ticket machines to purchase bus tickets. You can also buy a single-day or multiple-day bus passes. I think multiple-day bus passes require validation, but please check the instructions.
Directions to the Metro Station and Getting a Bus Pass From the Hotel
A Safe and Secure Neighborhood Around the Hotel
Based on my two-night stay, I found the hotel to be situated in a good and secure neighborhood. Most restaurants in the area remain open until 11 pm, providing ample dining options. While there are several grocery stores and minimarkets nearby, I am uncertain about their operating hours, specifically if they are open 24 hours. During our trip, we were able to use credit cards for all our expenses, eliminating the need for currency exchange. Restaurants, convenience stores, tourist attractions, coffee shops, and bus ticket machines all accepted credit cards. However, I cannot confirm whether taxis in the area accept credit cards or not.
Selected Neighborhood Pictures
Here are some of the food places we tried:
After a shuttle ride to the hotel around 9 pm, I got a tasty burger with fries from a restaurant near the basilica. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of this restaurant, but the staff who served the food was very friendly and helpful in choosing the food. The menu was also available in English.
Japanika Sushi Bar
Japanika , a Japanese restaurant situated in the basilica complex, caught our attention during our visit. However, we found that the receptionist and the lady who took our order were not particularly friendly, and the restaurant itself was quite crowded. It seems to be a popular establishment, given its bustling atmosphere. Notably, Japanika closes late at night, at around 12:00 AM. While the food was decent and we had no complaints in that regard, the overall experience was somewhat underwhelming due to the lack of friendliness from the staff.
Japanika Sushi Bar
Pizza Me: A Delicious Dining Experience
“Pizza Me” was a delightful restaurant that we discovered in the basilica complex during our stay in Budapest. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with friendly staff members who were attentive to our needs. The restaurant offered a unique experience where we could choose individual slices from a variety of pre-made pizzas. I opted for two slices from different pizzas, although I must admit that I forgot the specific toppings. Nevertheless, the crust was perfectly crispy, and the toppings were fresh and bursting with flavor. The service was prompt and efficient, adding to the overall positive dining experience. Located in the basilica complex, our dining experience at “Pizza Me” left us satisfied, and we would highly recommend it to pizza lovers exploring Budapest
Pizza Me: Cool pizza place
Ramazuri Bistronomy: A Friendly Dining Experience
Excited to try the local cuisine, we eagerly ordered authentic Hungarian dishes at Ramazuri Bistronomy, located near Matthias Cathedral. I was delighted by both the flavors of the food and the warm hospitality of the staff. It was a wonderful experience, surpassing my expectations. If I have the opportunity to visit Budapest again, I will undoubtedly make a return visit to Ramazuri Bistronomy.
Ramazuri Bistronomy
California Coffee: Drinking Coffee With a Great View
After visiting the basilica, we decided to stop by California Coffee, which is conveniently located opposite the basilica. The coffee shop was quite spacious, but it was also crowded. The person taking our order seemed busy and didn’t have a friendly demeanor. Nonetheless, we spent some time there before proceeding to collect our luggage and head to the airport. One thing worth noting is that it’s important to keep the receipt from California Coffee, as it contains useful information such as the Wi-Fi details and a code to access the restroom.
New Bud Airport Shuttle: Awesome Transportation to And From The Airport
The pickup time specified on the ticket was 5:35 PM, so I positioned myself in front of the hotel at 5:15 PM, feeling a bit anxious and stressed about the shuttle’s punctuality. However, to my relief, the shuttle arrived promptly at the scheduled time and transported us to the airport without any complications. I opted for this shuttle service for two main reasons: 1) They accept credit cards, eliminating the need for currency exchange, and 2) English communication was effortless and convenient throughout the entire process.
Rooms SasOne: a Perfect place to stay to explore Budapest
Our stay at Hotel SasOne in Budapest was truly memorable. From the convenient location to the comfortable rooms, we couldn’t have asked for a better place to call home during our trip. The friendly staff and their helpful recommendations added to the overall positive experience. Exploring the city was a delight, with easy access to public transportation and various attractions within walking distance. Budapest’s rich history and vibrant culture captivated us, and we were able to immerse ourselves in the local cuisine and explore its stunning landmarks. We are grateful for the warm hospitality and the opportunity to create lasting memories. We highly recommend Hotel SasOne to anyone planning a visit to Budapest. It truly exceeded our expectations and made our trip all the more special.
It’s worth mentioning that during our short stay in Budapest, we had the opportunity to explore a few notable places shown below. However, for detailed information and a closer look at these attractions, we invite you to check out our other posts dedicated to each of these locations. Stay tuned for more insights into the beautiful city of Budapest and our memorable experiences at these remarkable sites.
- St. Stephen’s Baslica
- Buda Castle and Szent István room
- Matthias Church
- Fisherman’s wharf
- Chain Bridge
- Ferris Wheel of Budapest
Selected Pictures of The Places Visited
Batthyány Square (Batthyány tér) is a square located on the Buda side of the Danube River in Budapest. It is named after Lajos Batthyány, who was the first Prime Minister of Hungary. Batthyány Square is an important transportation hub, connecting the Buda Castle area with other parts of the city. It has a metro station, tram and bus stops, and a ferry terminal on the Danube river, making it easy to get around the city. The square is also home to several restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
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