Stay at a Budapest hotel and visit a Christmas market with this deal | City breaks | Travel

We’re coming into the time of year when people start thinking about what their Christmas is going to look like – and you might be tempted to book a weekend away to really get into the festive spirit. And if you want a lovely winter trip this year, Wowcher has a pretty tempting deal that might be right up your street.

It’s offering an incredible two-night stay in scenic Budapest, right on the doorstep of a huge Christmas market, for as little as £69 per person. You’d be hard-pressed to stay in many UK cities for that little, so being able to take a European break is almost unbelievable. 

That price will include return flights from a few airports, too: Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and London Stansted (with prices varying slightly depending on your choice, as you can see on the Wowcher page). Even more excitingly, you won’t just be in any old hotel, but will instead be staying on boat on the river Danube right in the middle of Budapest, at the three-star Grand Jules Boat Hotel. This stay has been so popular with guests that it’s a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice award winner. 

You’ll have an ensuite room to yourself, complete with amenities and toiletries to make packing even easier, and all of Budapest will be on your doorstep, including a range of famous Christmas markets throughout December. 

To get a sense of how well-liked the Grand Jules Boat Hotel is, you only have to check out its user ratings on Google, where over 1,000 reviews have left it with an impressive 4.2 stars. Some of these guests have left really glowing notes, like one who said: “The hotel is in a perfect location, the view to the Parliament and to the river is absolutely breathtaking. The staff spoke English and they were super nice, kind and helpful.”

Another guest wrote: “What a wonderfully charming and unique experience to have in the very beautiful Budapest. We loved the quirky, faded elegance of the boat. The room was perfectly laid out and everything was in good order.” A third user said: “This was a great and different place to stay. Fantastic views of the Danube and of Budapest. […] Breakfast was included and served in the restaurant. Continental options and plenty of seating are available.”

Others have had more constructive criticism to share, though, like one guest who said: “Great place but as mentioned rooms and in general needs updating as looking a little worn out.” Another user said: “The boat looks old and outdated. The rooms are really small but clean at a great price”. 

Of course, other winter breaks are available – including one terrific offer from P&O that could see you take a short trip to Amsterdam on a weekend cruise, from just £139 per person this December. 

There are various terms and conditions on the Wowcher deal – for example, it’s valid for selected travel dates between November 1 and January 6, so it’s worth checking the fine print before booking.