Who's Going
Hungarian Artists, Local Fashionistas, Design Lovers
Reason to Stay
Historic Location, Design Hotel, City Views
Hotel Type
Boutique Hotel
It's not the most happening area in Budapest, but it is the most historic. On the Buda-side of the famed Chain Bridge, Budapest's first true boutique hotel is located in a touristy enclave of 19th century buildings and nonsensical storefronts. Visitors arrive to a space-age façade molded of natural limestone and glass, with small terrace area of bright-pink plastic chairs and café tables. The building exterior features a movable accordion-like glass fascia animated by changing colors ignited at nightfall. A glass atrium-covered lobby area with transparent floor reveals Roman ruins unearthed during the hotel's renovation. The lobby is decorated in a modern design aesthetic mixing black leathers and chrome with more traditional wooden furnishings and accents. <br /><br />It feels older than its actual age, perhaps an attribute to local design tastes and dated trends. A glass and steel staircase connects the lobby lounge with the in-house restaurant, which is located on an upper mezzanine level and offers new Hungarian cuisine with a continental twist. With plans for a glitzy spa area and small fitness center, for now guests will have to settle on the small outdoor garden or hit the nearby Hotel Gellert with its Gothic baths and decadent springs.
The Room
Guests arrive with a bang. The neo-modern design hotel feature a swanky exterior and hip lobby area assembled with wannabe-models and local fashion-types. Glass bridges illuminated by natural light and abstract artwork connect the hotel’s 45 guest rooms and 3 suites. Upon entering the guest rooms we are disappointed to see institutional grade carpeting, albeit it thickly laid in a rich muddy grey. Bright windows feature small but efficient outdoor terraces facing the Danube, but with ill-constructed white draperies that are almost falling from the ceiling. Lacquered white furnishings feel more Ikea than hip Eastern Europe with built-in desk and console running the length of the room. Beds are elevated on frill-free platforms with poly-blend bedding and thick feather duvets. Bathrooms are constructed with modern sinks surrounded by industrial orange or white subway tiles and deep soaking tubs. Larger suites offer more lavish common areas with separate bedrooms and window-side bathtubs facing the city lights.
Preferred Room
Standard Suite
Special Features
Design Hotel, Spa, Fitness Center
Amenities
Views, Restaurant, Bar, Lobby Lounge, City Central
