Having being warned about the noise, I requested a room on the 4th or 5th floor - was given the former. We had no disturbances from the bar - just a few drunk, noisy patrons coming back to their rooms. The room was spotless and tastefully decorated for a hostel. Breakfast was adequate.

My wife and I spent 5 days here early september, pretty basic stuff, breakfast was spartan, staff rude and unhelpful unless there was something in it for them, it is an o.k. base for exploring and only going back to get your head down, there is a cellar bar in the basement where the music is still blaring at 4 a.m., so light sleepers beware,all in all I would rate Marco Polo ideal for those on a budget, I would go back to Budapest,it is a beautiful city, but I think somewhere a bit more up market next time.

When you book to stay in a hostal, you have to expect a certain standard. It will never be 5 star! The Marco Polo is nicely located and with a map you can get round on foot no problem. Remember to take ear plugs as below the parco polo is a bar that is open to quite late at night - the music was very loud - but the ear plugs did the trick. We had no problems with security. The breakfast provided was cereal, breads etc - again did not expect anything else. All in all it was a hostal, somewhere to get your head down at night. If I was going to Budapest again, I would go back.

I am living in Budapest for a year and have used the Marco Polo on about 8 occasions when friends or family have visited.
This is a great place to stay if...

1. You don't want the expense of a 'posh' hotel.
2. If you stay at the height of summer you don't mind people making a noise late at night because it stays warm and light until late. There is a central courtyard - similar to most buildings in Budapest - where people can sit outside. Off peak season it is usually fine and I really can't see the point in paying twice the price for a big chain hotel.
3. You want somewhere clean and tidy.
4. You accept that you are in another country and some things are different. (Shorter sheets on the beds for example and cheese and meat for breakfast).
5. You accept that it doesn't have double beds even in a 'double' room.

If there are two of you, you can have a double room to yourself with an ensuite bathroom and a tv for a bargain price. However it is true that breakfast isn't the best feature.

In summary Marco Polo is nicer than most youth hostels but doesn't have all the finess of a hotel. You get good value for what you pay!

Marco Polo is run by the Mellow Moods group of hostels/hotels which includes other places of similar or slightly higher standard such as Fortuna, Atlas and Star. Avoid the 'Summer Hostels' unless you are really on a budget.