Aria Budapest mixes luxury with jazzy kind of wow in city center

Aria Budapest, a member of Library Hotel Collection, puts the wow in wow factor with a jazzy wow at every turn starting with a showy keyboard design in the lobby floor. A rave-worthy rooftop bar in the shadow of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks beckons day or night. Imaginative room décor where funky touches in pink, purple or lime green never veer from luxury continues the playful tap into the musical connection. A cool-vibe indoor pool is lit by blue light and overseen by a mosaic wall of musicians in silhouette. And it’s all delivered in a 49-room boutique property with marvelous attention to detail in a repurposed, historic, 19th-century building.

Our overnight stay is a delightful exclamation-point ending to an unforgettable, seven-night Danube River cruise aboard AmaWaterways’ AmaViola, which launched in 2016 and has dedicated itself to this region. The company offers pre- and post-cruise add-ons in both Prague and Budapest (though we opt for Aria Budapest on our own). Sister property Aria Prague is on the list for next time. This Aria’s location in Budapest’s city center is super convenient. Our taxi enters a charming, gated side street that elicits a sense of security and privacy. Mere steps away is that iconic landmark, St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in the city and overlooking a square that’s a popular gathering spot. The doorman’s wide smile and friendly greeting sets the perfect tone. No stuffy uniforms here; staff attire is more casual but professional befitting the property’s hip ambiance. Inside, we instantly connect the melodic name “Aria” to its décor “in the heart of a region where some of the world’s most beloved classical music compositions were born,” notes the property fact sheet. (To purchase the full version of this story, email knewbern@yournovel.com) (Photos courtesy of Aria Budapest)