Search

TRIBE Budapest Airport Review – A Stylish Stay That Doesn’t Quite Stick the Landing

Sam
Jun 18
4 min read

If you’re flying in or out of Budapest and need somewhere to lay your head within walking distance of the terminal, the TRIBE Hotel at Budapest Airport is a tempting option. Boldly designed and branding itself as a contemporary, lifestyle-forward airport hotel, TRIBE brings plenty of style but unfortunately, not everything about the experience for this TRIBE Budapest Airport review lives up to that promise.

TRIBE Budapest Airport Review: Check-In and First Impressions

The location is undeniably excellent. Connected directly to the terminal at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport by a covered walkway, the hotel is perfect for early departures or late arrivals. The lobby is cool and inviting, with a clean, modern aesthetic. Check-in is from 3pm, with check-out before 12pm.

Modern hotel lobby with people at reception; a man in shorts and backpack checks in. Stylish chairs and a hip bar in the background. — The hotel lobby can be described as industrial chic, but check in was smooth and easy.

Rooms: Designed for Looks, Not Function

I stayed in a TRIBE Max room and at first glance, the guest rooms are impressive, with a palette of blues, orange, black and white and with various lighting options. The style, bearing in mind the carpet, gives maximalist finishes! TRIBE definitely nails the design brief, as the room looked fantastic. But once you settle in, some flaws start to surface.

Modern hotel room with a black and white patterned floor, orange chair, blue sofa, and bed. TV on a stand divides the space. Cozy ambiance. — The carpet may be a little garish but the design choices are otherwise aesthetically pleasing

The mattress, for one, is exceptionally firm. So much so that it made sleep a real challenge. There’s no softness or give to it, and while some might prefer that level of support, it’s likely to be too harsh for most travellers seeking comfort before a long flight.

Modern hotel room with a neatly made bed, orange headboard, patterned carpet, and a small round stool. Mood is calm and inviting. — Unfortunately whilst the bed looks incredibly comfy, the mattress was like lying on hardwood flooring

The air conditioning was another disappointment. Despite setting it as low as possible and cranking the fan up to full, the temperature of my room started at 25c, and overnight only got as low as 23c. Worse still, the control panel emits a bright light that makes the room feel more like a cockpit than a bedroom. Not exactly restful.

Small design choices also hinder functionality. The concrete bedside tables may look industrial-chic, but they’re impractical for daily use. Phones and glasses are two such items that I'd rather not have to fumble about to find during the night on a concrete block lest I scratch or smash something!

Similarly, if you plan to do any work in your room, you may struggle. The desk is shallow and obstructed by a TV mounted awkwardly at head height, making it nearly impossible to use a laptop comfortably.

Modern hotel room with a black sofa, orange and white chairs, patterned carpet, large TV, desk, and sheer-curtained city view. — Whilst the aesthetics are stylish the functionality of desk leaves something to be desired.

The bathroom was clean, tidy and functional with good amenities. It's always a challenge knowing what to pack toiletries wise on a trip such as this, especially given I used hand luggage. However the shower gel and other provided toiletries were diverse, covering all needs. The shower too had great water pressure, which is always a good thing.

Modern bathroom with a glass shower, gray tiles, and a red marble countertop. A white towel hangs inside the shower. Soft lighting. — The bathroom was clean and fresh

WiFi: Not Up to Scratch

In an airport hotel, especially one that markets itself to modern, design-conscious traveller, strong WiFi should be a given. Sadly, that wasn’t the case during my stay. There was an option for Accor (the hotel parent company) members, with faster speeds, and those who aren't members. I am an Accor member, but I couldn't get this to work without my device indicating a security threat, so I used the non-member internet. The connection was weak and unreliable, making even basic browsing a chore. Streaming or working remotely was yet another challenge to overcome and whilst it was not impossible to use it did hinder my ability to do a little bit of work! This is a real letdown for business travellers or digital nomads passing through.

Skybar: A True Highlight

Thankfully, not all of the TRIBE experience misses the mark. One real gem is the Skybar, open daily from 11am to 11pm. Located on the upper floors with panoramic views over the airport and surrounding area, it’s a really rather great place to enjoy a drink and decompress.

Airport at sunset with a plane at the terminal, cars in a parking lot, and a bus. The sky shows a gradient of orange to blue. — The view from the roof top bar was pretty awesome and we all love an airport view!

I tried a glass of Hungarian sparkling wine here, and between the crisp fizz and the runway views, it felt like a moment of calm luxury amid the transit. The menu was extensive for the bar, I was pretty impressed to be honest.

Breakfast: Excellent Quality, Well Thought Out

Breakfast at TRIBE is another strong point. Served between 6:00am and 10:00am, it’s more plentiful than your average airport hotel buffet. The spread is extensive and thoughtfully curated, with a mix of hot dishes, cold items, pastries, fresh fruit, and high-quality coffee.

Coffee machine dispensing into a striped blue mug. Red and blue mugs stacked nearby. Text reads "AMERICANO M." Stainless steel and modern decor.

There are three coffee stations spread out across the dining area, which helps keep things moving smoothly even during the morning rush.

They also had a range of milk options including lactose free which was great to see, not that Helena is with me on this trip but she was very excited when she noted that in one of my photos!

Four milk bottles labeled Milk, Lactose-Free Milk, Soya, and Almond Milk on a round marble table with cereal containers in the background. — A range of milks were on offer including Lactose Free, thumbs up from Helena

What’s more, if you need to eat before 6am, Tribe has partnered with the ibis Styles next door, where you can grab a very early breakfast from 4:00am. It’s a smart, traveller-focused move that shows real awareness of airport guest needs.

Final Thoughts: Stylish, But Needs Fine-Tuning

There was a lot to like about the TRIBE Budapest Airport Hotel for this review. The location couldn’t be more convenient, and the public spaces (especially the Skybar and breakfast area) deliver on both style and substance.

However, the guest rooms suffer from design choices that value appearance over comfort, and the basics, like air conditioning, mattress comfort, and WiFi, just don’t measure up.

If you’re stopping over for one night and want a stylish base with a great breakfast and views to match, TRIBE may well fit the bill. But if you need a solid night’s sleep, reliable connectivity, or a space to get some work done, you might find yourself wishing you’d booked elsewhere.

Sam

Points Well Made is a passion project of Sam and Helena with a loyal following. If you like what we do, and wish to help us continue to create the content you love, please consider buying us a Kofi, or subscribing monthly. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.