The original building of the St. George Residence in the Buda Castle dates back to the 14th century. The building -- that started functioning as an inn in the 17th century -- is classified as a historic landmark and retains the vaulted ceilings and gilded moldings of the ornate Baroque period. The property consists of a low-lying, two-story structure painted an appealing peach tone both outside and in some of the brightly lit hallways. The front entrance opens up onto an immaculately clean street in a pedestrian area of the castle district. Suits of armor, tufted leather chairs, and bronze statuettes combine with glass doors and the occasional piece of contemporary art for an elegant, museum-like setting. The property is built around a peaceful interior courtyard furnished with a few wicker tables and chairs.

This hotel sits in the historic area known as the Castle District surrounded by Baroque houses and streets closed off to car traffic. Small tourist shops, bars, wine cellars, and restaurants line the blocks nearby, though the area quiets down at night as many of the landmarks close. There are several bus lines within a few blocks; the Pest side of town is accessible via public transportation in about 25 minutes. The large modern shopping center Mammut is a 15-minute walk away.

Parquet wood floors, high ceilings, and gilt-frame mirrors populate these elegant rooms furnished with replicas of historic chairs and tables. There have been few complaints, though some guests have noted the lack of a comfy place to sit beyond the beds in some of the smaller rooms. Most visitors are taken with the regal charm of the spaces. All of the suites have a kitchenette unit built into a set of cabinets which contains a two-burner electric stove, a small steel sink, a microwave, an electric kettle, a mini-fridge stocked with drinks, and a good amount of cooking and serving equipment. Bathrooms have marble-tiled floors and walls, and combination tub and hand-held showers; some rooms have a very small amount of sink space, if any at all, and some rooms have only a shower.

The restaurant on-site generally gets strong marks from guests; there is also a more casual cafe and bar for a drink. Expect to pay extra for breakfast. A peaceful interior courtyard affords a few places to sit and enjoy the pretty setting provided by the hotel’s quadrangle. There are a few rooms that are available for events like weddings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.