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Guests who wish to stay in a hotel with a swimming pool will find a wide array of choices in our featured list. These accommodations can be categorized in a variety of ways: by stars rating, by the size of their swimming pools, by their proximity to the city center, etc. Instead we chose to categorize the hotels by the type of water found in their swimming pools. Namely, the grouping is based on whether the pools feature thermal spring water, standard water heated naturally under the sun, or perhaps just an artificially heated pool. Of course these are just wide categories to aid you in the selection process; further details are available separately about each pool.Speaking of thermal waters, let us diverge here for a bit of history. Today, Budapest is known throughout Europe as the capital of thermal baths - but this tradition goes back centuries. The city's famed baths can operate thanks to the thermal and medicinal waters that lurk beneath the surface in Buda and Óbuda. Exploitation of this natural gift goes back all the way to the dawn of history. It is generally accepted that use of the thermal water was already quite typical in the Celtic era: the name of the tiny Bronze Age village here was Ak Inq, which means "plentiful water". In the I century AD the Romans occupied the area and named the place Aquincum. They built an aqueduct to transport the precious water to the town and its public baths. In the XIV and XV century, the royal families decided to build several new thermal and medicinal bathhouses. The next major development of the area came during the Turkish rule of Buda, which started in 1540 and lasted nearly 150 years. Apart from a few typical basic Turkish structures, the invaders essentially built nothing but bathhouses. In the second half of the XIX century advances in the science of balneology and perfection of deep-drilling methods led to another major leap forward in the utilization of this natural resource. It was then that researchers discovered the mineral-rich, 44-75 degrees Celsius water that has since turned the city into one of Europe's most important medicinal water bathing destinations.
Much of Budapest's tourism originated with the establishment of the hotels and bathhouses that were built next to the medicinal and thermal water treasures. Currently five Budapest hotels have pools that are supplied with thermal spring water. Let us examine them in detail.
The city's oldest such hotel is the four-star Danubius Hotel Gellért. The Hotel is especially known for Gellért Bath, the bathhouse connected directly to the hotel, which features a large open-air swimming pool (38 x 14 m, closed in the winter), a covered thermal pool (27 x 10 m), a wave-pool, a sun-bathing terrace, thermal bath, steam bath, and a sauna - all of which are available to hotel guests free of charge.
The water in the bath comes from Gellért Hills natural medicinal springs, which are not only radioactive but also high in calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbon, alkaline, chloride, sulfate, and fluoride content. It is perfect for relaxation, regeneration, and rejuvenation of the body.
One five star and two four star hotels were built near another medicinal spring - located on the northern edge of the city center, in the middle of the Danube on Margaret Island. The thermal water at this spring is originally 70 °C, but using a careful process to preserve 100% of the active ingredients, the water is cooled to around 34-40 °C by the time it reaches the hotels' hydrotherapy units. The waters are especially recommended for the treatment of limb- and joint-related illnesses, for muscle and certain nervous-system ailments, and for treatment of peripheral circulatory problems. In the next section we will introduce these three hotels, where - once again - use of the spa facilities is free of charge for hotel guests, and many additional therapy sessions are available for an extra fee.
Let us begin with the four-star Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget (formerly known as Thermal Hotel Margitsziget), which was the world's first spa resort built in a capital city. The building is home to one of Europe's most sophisticated medicinal centers, and its bathing facility features the following, circulated-water pools:
Unfortunately there is no separate children's pool. The facilities also include 2 Finnish saunas, 1 steam sauna, and 1 aroma chamber. It is open Monday-Sunday 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM.
The four-star Danubius Health Spa Resort Helia (formerly known as Thermal & Conference Hotel Helia and part of the same chain as the aforementioned hotel) is located right across the river from the Margaret Island hotel, directly on the bank of the Danube, on the Pest side. Its newly renovated bathing facilities feature the following circulated-water pools:
Unfortunately there is no separate children's pool. The facilities also include 2 Finnish saunas and a steam sauna. It is open Monday-Sunday 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Corinthia Aquincum Hotel, located on the Buda side of the Danube and utilizing the same thermal springs, was built in the first part of the 90's. On the ground floor of the building, we can swim and relax using the following bathing facilities:
Unfortunately there is also no separate children's pool at this location. The facilities include 2 Finnish saunas, 1 infra sauna, 2 steam baths, and 1 Jacuzzi. It is open on Monday-Sunday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The fifth and newest hotel in our list of accommodations featuring spa-water pools is the five-star Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, which is in the city center on Erzsébet körút (Erzsébet boulevard). It is especially interesting that during the reconstruction of the building, workers accidentally stumbled upon the underground spring that now feeds the hotel's spa facilities. The owner decided to delay the reopening of the hotel to help preserve this underground natural treasure. Finally, the reconstruction process ended and the hotel gained a new 14x7.5 meter pool with a depth of 0.9-1.6 meters and a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. The Royal Spa facilities also include 2 Jacuzzis and 2 dry saunas as well. Open: Monday-Sunday 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM.
In the following section, we will list the hotels (including details) that provide facilities with normal- and heated-water pools.
Our selection includes 2 or 3 three-star hotels in Budapest that actually have a pool. Typically they have outdoor pools and because of this the temperature of the water depends largely on the weather.
The only exception to this is Hotel Stadion with its beautiful indoor swimming pool. The hotel is only a minute from the metro station and is right next to Budapest's largest sports complex, which includes Puskás Ferenc Stadium (named after the most famous Hungarian football star) and Papp László Sportarena (named after the most successful Hungarian boxer). The only reason why the newly renovated hotel did not receive a four-star rating is because its rooms are a tiny bit smaller than what is required for the higher status. The 13.5x5 meter pool includes a neck massage system and is equipped with a counter-current unit. Its water is a constant 26 degrees Celsius. There is also a coed Finnish sauna right next to the pool. It is open: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
At 15 kilometers from the city center, Hotel Dunapart is also in the three-star category with the largest outdoor pool available. It operates only during the summer; it is 25x14 meters in size, and 0,8-2 meters in depth. Its water heats up to approximately 20-24 degrees Celsius during the sunny hours of the day.
Hotel Papillon, about 6-8 minutes from the city center, is the last such hotel in this category featuring a small, 2,5x5 meter swimming pool with a depth of 140 cm. Actually the real purpose of this small pool, in the middle of the hotel's grassy garden, is so that you can take a break from sunbathing and dabble or soak a bit in the water - and to be honest it's really great for that.
Several four-star Budapest hotels feature normal, heated-water swimming pools.
About 40-50 minutes from the city center via mass transit, Aquarius Hotel is next to the loop motorway which surrounds Budapest and connects the various main freeways. A 12x5 meter, 140 cm deep pool awaits all those who wish to enjoy a relaxing swim after returning from the city. The water is 27 degrees Celsius. The wellness facilities include a 4-person Jacuzzi (33 C) and a Finnish sauna. Open: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Béke Radisson SAS Hotel is a conference hotel located in the city center on the main boulevard of Budapest, Nagykörút. It is close to the commercial district, to Szent István Basilica, to H.sök Tere (Heroes Square), to the Parliament, and to Margit Sziget (Margaret Island). The hotel's pool is 5x8 meters in size, 120 cm deep, and its water is 26 degrees Celsius. There is one coed sauna next to the pool. The pool is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM and the sauna stays open from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM on every day of the week.
Danubius Hotel Flamenco is on the Buda side of the Danube, on the border of a nature preserve, next to a small pond. It is very close to the city center, only a few minutes from the capital's shopping and commercial district. The hotel has one swimming pool that is 10x5 meters in size and 120-140 cm deep. The water is 26 degrees Celsius.
The pool, a separate male and female Finnish sauna, and a two-person infra-sauna is open to guests Monday-Thursday 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Friday-Sunday 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Hotel Holiday Beach is located far from the city's noise, in a quiet, green area, right on the bank of the Danube. About 20-25 minutes from the city center (via mass transit), the hotel is the ultimate destination for those who wish to relax, exercise, or just rejuvenate their mind and body. Its garden is more than one hectare in size and features a heated fun pool (1,2 m deep and 26-32 degrees Celsius water), a swimming pool (25x15 m in size, 1,4-1,8 m deep, 25-27 C), a children's pool (0,6 m deep, 28-30 C), a bathhouse with sunbathing terrace and pool-bar, 3 Finnish saunas, 1 infra-sauna, and 2 eight-person Jacuzzis. Open: Monday-Sunday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Best Western Lido Hotel & Wellness Center is also located in this part of the city. It has an indoor pool, which is 8x10 meters in size, 150 cm deep, and has water that is heated to 30-33 degrees Celsius. The facilities include 1 Finnish sauna and 1 infra-sauna. It is open Monday-Sunday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Hotel Normafa is located on a picturesque, forest-covered hilltop. This area, which is the city's most beautiful scenic outlook, was a favorite destination for the artists of the last century. It has an outdoor pool 16x10 m in size, 150 cm deep, and water that is heated to 26 degrees Celsius year-round. There are also 2 Finnish saunas and 1 infra-sauna available at extra cost, and a steam chamber. Open: October 1st-May 31st weekday 4:00 PM-9:00 PM, weekends 9:00 AM-9:00 PM. From June 1st to September 30th it is open every day from 9 AM to 9:00 PM. The saunas and the steam chamber are part of the fitness-wellness center, which is open every day of the week from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Rubin Hotel is an alpine-style building located at the foot of Sas hill. It is aimed at guests, tourists, and business travelers who want to be close to the city center, yet crave the seclusion of a true natural green area. The hotel features a three-storey, 2400 square meter wellness center with a swimming pool (8x8 m in size, 140 cm deep, and 29 C water), 1 Jacuzzi, 1 bio-sauna, 1 Finnish sauna, and a separate children's pool. The center is open to guests every day of the week from 6:00 AM to 21:30 PM.
This concludes all possible locations in the four-star category. To achieve the higher rank of five-stars, it is a basic requirement for accommodations to have a swimming pool. Without it, they cannot attain the five-star status.
Adina Apartment Hotel Budapest is located in the heart of Budapest's most dynamic commercial district, close to the blue metro line, and five minutes from Westend City Center. Its pool is 17x5 m in size and 1,6 m deep. The water temperature is 28-29 degrees Celsius. The facilities also include a Jacuzzi (36 C), 1 coed Finnish sauna, and 1 coed steam bath. It is open Monday-Friday 6:00 AM-10:00 PM (service break from noon-1:00 PM) and on Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 AM-10:00 PM (no service break).
Hotel Inter-Continental presents one of the perhaps most breathtaking views in the city. The rooms feature a view of the Danube with the Buda Castle District in the background (which is a UNESCO world heritage site). The hotel has one swimming pool with 9,2x5 m dimensions. The water temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. There is also one coed Finnish sauna. The facility is open to guests every day of the week from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Built in heart of Budapest's walking-, shopping-, and commercial district, Kempinski Hotel Corvinus has rooms with a view of Erzsébet park or the quiet inner courtyard. The hotel has one pool with the following dimensions: it is 5 meters wide, 7 meters long, 1,5 meters deep. The water temperature is 25 degrees Celsius. The spa facilities include a Finnish sauna, a steam chamber, and aroma sauna. It is open to guests from 7 in the morning to 10 at night.
Hotel Le Meridien is located on the same block. The eighth floor of the hotel features a uniquely designed fitness center with a sun-lit swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath, massage, and a professionally equipped exercise room. The swimming pool is 16 m long and 1,3 m deep, and it has a triangle-like shape so you cannot really tell how wide it is. The water temperature is 28-29 C, the Jacuzzi is 38 C. There is 1 Finnish sauna and 1 steam chamber. It is open Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-10:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
This concludes our list of Budapest hotels that have swimming pools. All of the above hotels feature swimming pools that are great for either relaxing or perhaps healing, depending of course on the type of water. In addition, I recommend visiting the city's public bathhouses as well (Szent Gellért Gyógyfürd., Szent Lukács Gyógyfürd., Rudas Gyógyfürd., Széchenyi Gyógyfürd., Király Gyógyfürd., Rácfürd.) - information about these can be found in one of our other articles.
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