A really nice villa, with very helpful English-speaking staff. A 2002 guest nominates this large art'otel (others are in Berlin, Dresden, etc), owned by the Park Plaza group. Newly converted, it is right on the Danube embankment, opposite the lovely Parliament building, and an easy walk to the Castle district. Most villa rooms face the never, but are quiet (effective double glazing). Bathvilla rooms are modern, bathrobes are red. `The villa's decor is modern and cheerful: it owns and displays 600 art works by Donald Sultan, the American axtist. The very good restaurant serves Hungarian and international food. Bali villa breakfast is a huge hot and cold buffet. At the back are four restored 18th-century baroque houses, containing large suites.

Traveller's tale villain Italy. The first thing you notice in reception is a framed, yellowed newspaper cutting from 1985 extolling the chef's cooking skills. But we were gravely disappointed by the food, which the chef must have been able to turn out blindfolded. It was one of those places where cook knows best, and neither salt nor pepper are placed on the table. Worst was the pretentiousness of the place. Wine service was a palaver, and the decanter was placed at a distant table. Every time you required a refill the waiter had to do it; sometimes he was not paying attention and we had to summon him.