Ensana Grand Margaret Island

Staying here grants you a massive perk: free access to the massive wellness complex next door. Just walk through the climate-controlled tunnel. This isn't your average hotel pool. It's a proper Budapest thermal spa hotel experience using the island's own 70°C springs. The water is cooled down for you to soak in pools filled with calcium and magnesium. It's great for aching joints. But the medical spa is where things get interesting. You can try the famous Hévíz mud packs or jump into an underwater traction bath to stretch your spine. There's a salt cave and a full sauna world too. If you want to move, hit the island’s 5.3-kilometer rubberized running track or the clay tennis courts. Then, just duck back into the quiet corridor and head to your room. It’s the easiest spa hotel in Budapest to navigate without ever needing to get dressed up.

Eating at Széchenyi Restaurant feels like stepping into a 19th-century salon. Large windows look out over the park's ancient trees. The food hits the mark with Hungarian classics, but the atmosphere is the real winner. At night, a gypsy orchestra plays, and the music fills the room. It’s pure old-world drama. In summer, get a table on the Grand Terrace to eat near the Rose Garden. For something quicker, hit the Viktória Bar. Look for the 150-year-old coffee machine. It’s made of Herend porcelain and decorated with the Queen Victoria butterfly pattern. It’s a museum piece that still works. Sink into a leather armchair with a cocktail or an afternoon tea. It's the perfect spot to hide away after a long day of soaking.