Another positive Anantara experience to report, this time in Europe.
Property: Anantara New York Palace, Budapest
Status: Titanium
Room booked: Premium room - King
Room upgraded/type: Yes - upgraded to Grand Premium Room with terrace. Upgraded room was fabulous - a clever mix of classic and modern style, and to have our own balcony was fantastic. Many of this room type are in the modern annex but we were in the old 'palace' building and our balcony was flanked by the vast pillars on the street frontage, so very characterful.
Rate: €1120.90 total for 3 nights, 3 adults, room only
Early check in/late check out: Didn't request either, due to our schedule. Standard 12noon checkout time is very civilised, though. For check-in, was offered option of in-room checkin as long as we were happy to provide passport details ahead of time - we did this, and it was much more pleasant than hanging around at the check-in desk.
Amenity: Yes - bottle of wine with various savoury snacks (in line with our pre-stay preferences)
Free breakfast: Yes - not included in rate but utilised Titanium benefit. Had to remind staff about this as would have been charged for breakfast otherwise. Given there were 3 of us I was ready to pay for 1 breakfast daily but that was comped. Breakfast itself is very substantial and high quality, and in a fabulously buzzy space which adjoins the famous New York Cafe (which is a major Budapest destination in its own right). For the mix of vibe, live music from the cafe, astonishing gilded architecture (reminiscent of Versailles Hall of Mirrors) and amusing people watching, this is right up there for great hotel breakfast experiences, even if its not particularly relaxing.
Recommend: Yes, it's a lovely property and service standards were generally very high indeed. Subterranean spa was also pretty fun. All up, I feel like we got great value for money given breakfasts were included and we could seamlessly apply D$195 towards our bill at check-out (such a great feature).
Being able to experience most of the NY Cafe experience and that incredible space without lining up for the main cafe was a highlight. By contrast, the Poet's bar was a bit soporific and lacking in atmosphere, though staff were excellent. Didn't try the main restaurant (White Salon) but I hear good things and the space is certainly incredible.
Modest downsides were that housekeeping was a bit inconsistent, room service requests (ice, glasses) were very slow, and the location is not right in the tourist heart of the city (but I liked the location - right by a metro station, and an easy walk through the Jewish Quarter - probably the city's coolest neighbourhood - to downtown and the river.
