The Budapest Marriott Hotel has an executive club lounge, named the M Club Lounge, on its ground floor. This club lounge is large with views of the River Danube. It has a large buffet in the center of the room with lots of tables and seating around the edge. It also has a glorious terrace to one end of the lounge where you can sit out when it’s warm and enjoy your free food and drink alfresco with views of the paved waterside walkway and the River Danube beyond.
Location
The Budapest Marriott Hotel is located on the banks of the River Danube. It is at the far end of the paved waterside walkway, which runs from the the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, where you will find the Four Seasons Budapest and the InterContinental Budapest, to the Erzsébet Bridge which is closer to the Marriott. Both bridges spas the River Danube between Buda, where you will find tree-covered hills, and Buda Castle, and Pest, where most of the luxury hotels in the city can be found.
The Marriott is a huge concrete 1970s building, the highest in the area. I’m amazed it got planning permission, as it dwarfs most of the buildings around it. Its size means that many of the rooms and the communal areas have magnificent river views.
The club lounge is on the ground floor and also shares those views, from its ground floor position. It’s located off the foyer area. As you enter the hotel, you turn to your left and then back on yourself. You can use your card key to access the club lounge door.
Style & Character
The whole hotel, including the club lounge, has been recently refurbished and is modern and stylish. The main lounge area has a marble-tiled floor with a long, thin buffet made out of marble, which is placed diagonally in the center of the room. This buffet table offers loads of goodies and snacks and can be accessed from either side, meaning there is plenty of room to poke about and select what you want.
Around the buffet area are seats set around tables, much like in a restaurant, along with high stools and high tables, all perfect for eating and working on. Some are set on a dark wood parquet floor, which complements the wooden walls of the space. Others sit on tiled floors, and the space is softened by interesting spider-style lights on the ceiling and artwork and shelves containing interesting books and lighting fixtures on the walls.
Head towards the River Danube, and a lounge space opens up which is designed to enjoy the views. Comfy sofas, big bucket-style comfy seats, and high tables with seats are all positioned to gaze out at the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. This part of the lounge is softened by thick rugs placed around the sofas.
Beyond the glass panes, you will find the terrace, which is the highlight of this lounge. Comfy sofas and cafe-style metal chairs and tables are set out here on a private terrace that sits on a raised platform in front of the walkway in front. This relaxing area looks directly out at the Rover Danube, framed by pretty green trees planted up and down this boulevard.
As the walkway is pedestrianized, there is no noise from traffic, and the only thing that disrupts the view is the odd tram passing by. This area really is fantastic, and while the food and drink are better at the Ritz-Carlton, for views and a beautiful alfresco space, the Marriott Budapest lounge wins hands down.
Service & Facilities
This lounge is kept neat and tidy, with regular food and drink replenishments throughout the day. The staff are not that noticeable and do their job well.
Food & Drink
During the day, between meals, there are bowls of apples and nectarines. There are also cookies, crisps, fresh bread, hot soup, cheese, and cold cuts on the counter.
We did not experience the club lounge for the buffet breakfast or the evening drinks and snacks, but I was told that this lounge offers a full buffet breakfast, including hot egg dishes. In the evening, the food spread is also generous with complimentary alcoholic drinks, including beer, wine, vodka, gin, whiskey, and cocktails.
Conclusion
The club lounge at the Budapest Marriott Hotel is phenomenal. It’s one of the best club lounges in Budapest, and we think, because of its waterside terrace and lovely lounge area with those big windows, it is one of the best Marriott Club Lounges in the world.
Yes, the food, drink, and ambiance are more classy in the club lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Budapest, but the Ritz-Carlton lounge lacks interesting views or outside space to sit and relax on. The views and open-air terrace at the Marriott Club lounge in Budapest are simply incredible. If you stay here, this club lounge is brilliant.
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