Budapest Marriott's healthclub-best view & sweat in the city
Written: Dec 20 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The best health club in Budapest; modern; great location; friendly staff
Cons: None
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| caurieanne's Full Review: Marriott |
When I received a congressional Fulbright Grant to study in Budapest, Hungary I was ecstatic, but, of course, nervous about all the uncertainty of living in a foreign country for a whole year. What would the food be like? Would I be able to communicate with the people? Where would I live? And – a very important question to a health club fanatic like myself – where would I work out?
The purpose of this Epinion is not to answer any of those questions except the last one. My Fulbright experience was not the best and I ended up leaving early. However, while I was in Hungary, I did find an awesome health club that I want to share with you in case your travels ever bring you to this city on the Danube.
When I arrived in Budapest and found an apartment, my search then focused on finding a health club. I work out at least five days a week and hate exercising in my home or outside. I love to work out in health clubs and I set out to find one in Budapest that would fit my needs. Unfortunately, most of the privately owned health clubs I found did not: the equipment was very old, there were no aerobic classes, and the hours of operation were limited.
I was very frustrated until the thought crossed my mind that maybe some of the hotels in the city had health clubs. With that thought in mind, I decided to check out the Budapest Marriott Hotel, which was just a block from my new apartment on Apaczai Csere Janos u. 4 in the heart of the city. The large, luxury hotel (by Hungarian standards) is located right on the Danube and occupies much of the city’s riverside property.
Much to my delight and surprise, the hotel did have a health club — an awesome health club! And, it was not only available to guests, but also to Budapest residents/visitors at a daily rate (about $10 American) or yearly rate (about $200 American). I joined right away, ran back to my apartment to grab my exercise clothes and walkman, and then ran back to get my first real work out since arriving in the country a few days before.
The health club definitely satisfied my exercise needs and was more then I expected to find in Budapest. The equipment (both cardio and Nautilus) was new and good quality; the staff was friendly and helpful; the locker rooms were modern and had the nicest bathrooms I saw in Budapest (better then my own apartments); and there were even daily aerobic classes in a beautiful studio. Other perks of the health club included: saunas, squash courts, a solarium, and tennis courts.
Not to mention, the view from the stationary bikes and treadmills in this place is probably the best of any health club in the world — you look right out at the Danube and an old government castle. The view is very inspirational and breath taking. The health club also had good hours (including evenings), is always staffed, and was a good place to meet other Americans staying in Budapest for an extended period of time or just a few days.
Like I said, my experience in Budapest itself was less then stellar, but the Budapest Marriott Hotel’s health club was a high light. If you need a health club in this city that is equal to any respectable club in the U.S., definitely check it out. The membership fee is not very expensive and your membership is good at any Marriott health club world wide, most of which, like the one in Budapest, are sponsored by Nike.
Thanks for reading this Epinion. Like it or hate please just rate it!
~caurieanne
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
caurieanne
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Location: Upstate New York
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
I am a native upstate New Yorker and freelance writer who currently lives in Rochester.
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