Set within the well-heeled Palace District, a stone’s throw from the stately National Museum, Brody House sports quite some pedigree. Once a doctor’s residence, then prime ministerial domicile and finally an artists' colony, owners Peter and Will opened the place up as a hotel in 2009, naming it after the famed Hungarian author. The result is a veritable emporium of cool.
Beyond the chunky main door, crumbling stuccoed plaster walls precede a stately iron-balustraded staircase and a pleasantly ramshackle courtyard. Spread over 2 floors, each of the 8 rooms displays the artwork of a former artist in residence. Breakfast is taken in the Club, a bright and airy space embracing 3 warming lounges that are lovely to relax in throughout the day, with board games and honesty bars. A 15-minute walk away, the Brody Studios is yet another string to the Brody bow: a hipster arts hub where you can eat, meet and drink, as well as enjoy whatever’s on the cultural programme, be it live jazz, a magician, a comedian or a literary dinner. Popular with actors, artists and creative sorts, Brody House will appeal to any couple looking for a romantic, yet slightly unorthodox, refuge.
Highs
- Bespoke rooms with startlingly original furnishings and amazing art
- There’s an aura about the place that makes you feel just that little bit extra special
- Fantastic value, especially considering the spaciousness of your room and the hipster vibe
- It’s all very discreet and you’ll hear barely a sound from anyone or anything; ideal for independent types
- A great location in central Pest, a walk away from all the sights
Lows
- Not set up for children
- No lift and steep stairs, so not suited to those with limited mobility
- Some rooms lack much natural light, though given the myriad distractions, you’ll hardly notice
- Breakfast costs extra and there's no restaurant on-site, though the area teems with eateries
- A few little extras, like bathrobes, wouldn’t go amiss
Best time to go
Budapest is beautiful all year round, but at its best in spring, early summer and early autumn. In spring, the natives emerge from their post-winter slumber and the city’s premier annual event, the Budapest Spring Festival, swings into action. In September, the searing summer heat has dissipated, yet the days remain long and pleasantly balmy. Crowds are thinner too, and you’ll have the city’s attractions almost all to yourself.
Our top tips
Budapest’s Jewish history looms large, so go and explore the nearby Jewish quarter, the highlight of which is the magnificent Dohany utca Synagogue. Afterwards, retire to Central Kavehaz for coffee and cake; a throwback to the early 20th century, when it was the focal point of intellectual life in Budapest, this lovely old coffee house has retained much of its charisma.
- Boutique Hotel
- 8 rooms
- Breakfast + snack menu (restaurants nearby)
- Welcome but not ideal
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Board games
- Musical instruments
Rooms
The 8 rooms are mostly square, with lofty ceilings, tall windows, polished parquet flooring and romantic in-room bathtubs. Throughout, there’s bare brick aplenty, though any rawness is softened by layers of ageing paint and the odd splash of colour. Beautifully upholstered furnishings and oodles of artwork (all of which is for sale) add warmth.
There’s a subtle playfulness about the decor, too, from paper-pasted walls (culled from newspapers, comics and music scores) in the bathrooms, to stripped wooden doors horizontally positioned above the beds. A radiator is fashioned from a tangle of gas pipes in the hallway, and there's a chandelier chair wackily suspended from the ceiling. Many of the rooms have featured in fashion mags; even as the backdrop for a Playboy centrefold!
My room was ornamented with boldly coloured abstract pieces - an old wine bottle functioning as a bathroom mirror-light, and a champagne box as a loo-roll holder. Satisfyingly, there’s not a television in sight throughout.
Choose from spacious double/twin rooms or spoiling suites with 1-2 bedrooms and private living spaces. Slavic Artist Rooms and French Artist Rooms are the smallest but still very generous in size. The Museum View Rooms are our favourites, for their romantic feel and big windows that frame the National Museum gardens. The Photo & Print Studio is ideal for independent couples, while families, friends, or couples travelling together should choose one of the 2-bedroom suites, The Founders Quarters or The French Quarters: each comprised of two Museum View or French Artist Rooms (respectively), connected by a chic lounge and small but well equipped kitchen.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is worth the extra cost. A large table is laden with all manner of goodies: juices, exotic fruits and yoghurt, along with warm bread and croissants, homemade jams, local cheeses and cured meats. If you want the choice to fix your own meals, the suites have simple kitchens with an oven, two-ring stove, fridge and utensils.
There's no restaurant on-site for other meals, however, Pest teems with great restaurants (staff can advise). You can have wine or champagne delivered to your room, or visit the bar area during daytime hours.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Just wander, admiring the city's beautiful architecture. Budapest is bisected by the Danube river; one side is Buda, the other Pest. Stroll one then the other
- Dip in thermal waters at one of the city’s elegant 16th-century baths, such as Gellert or Szechenyi
- As well as being an architectural gem, the late 19th-century Great Market Hall is a terrific place to buy souvenirs
- Falk Miksa Utca is the street to buy art and antiques
- Go flipping crazy at The Pinball Museum, Budapest’s coolest attraction – and you can try all 130 of them
- Memento Park displays relics from Budapest's Communist period: oversized statues of Lenin and Marx that once stood forbodingly throughout the city, along with other remnants of Socialist realist architecture
- Budapest Zoo is one of the world’s oldest, with stunning Art Nouveau pavilions
- Take a boat trip up to Visegrad and the Danube Bend, one of the most glorious stretches of this iconic river
- Spend an evening at the Brody Studios, whose innovative arts programme includes film and literary events, dress-up and dance parties, and alchemist nights. It's members only, but staying at Brody House lets you join the club
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Art classes
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Theatre
- Well being
Kids
Although families are welcome, there's nothing for them here.
Family friendly accommodation:
Families should opt for either The Founders Quarters or The French Quarters, which have 2 double bedrooms connected by a comfy open-plan kitchen/living room. The Photo & Print Studio has a single sofabed. All rooms can be made up as twins on request.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Brody House is located in one of central Pest’s more desirable – and peaceful – areas, with easy access to all the major sights.
By Air:
Fly into Ferenc Liszt (aka Ferihegy), which is 20km away - click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it. From here it's a 20-minute drive to the hotel so you can jump in a taxi or book a transfer. You won't need a car - Budapest is best explored on foot - but if you want one, see our car rental recommendations.
Airports:
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International (aka Ferihegy) 20.0 km BUD
Other:
- Beach 0.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km