Natura Hill Zebegény

According to the owners, Natura Hill is in the middle of nowhere. In reality, it's just over an hour’s drive from the Budapest airport, but the off-the-beaten-path location, with its elevated perch overlooking the impossibly scenic Danube Bend, is a major part of its appeal. The grounds were formerly vineyards; these days, a sea of lavender stretches across the fields where grapes were once planted, framing panoramic views over the spectacular landscape.

The low-lying hotel hugs the grassy hillside, its cottage-like architecture almost blending into the scenery. The two-story main building houses the restaurant and eight rooms with a view, each named after a local herb or flower, simply and comfortably furnished according to its theme. One has a four-poster bed draped with linen, another has a reading corner with a hammock, and a honeymoon suite features a freestanding tub in front of large picture windows. Upper-level rooms have private terraces, and those on the ground level offer direct access to the gardens. Steps away, a newer building contains three suites — more modern and spacious than those in the main house — and a spa with a Finnish sauna and hot tub. There are no TVs on the premises, but a glass-walled living room with a fireplace and mountain views provides extra space for old-fashioned pleasures like reading or playing chess.