The celebrations in Budapest start in mid-November, with illuminations, an ice rink that circles around a vast tree, and not one, but two Christmas markets – the perfect spot to fill your festive cup
ANANTARA NEW YORK PALACE BUDAPEST HOTEL
Architectural aficionados prepare to be wowed at this five-star hotel. Once the headquarters of the New York Insurance Company, the lavish building was designed by Alajos Hauszmann, Flóris Korb, and Kálmán Giergl, and inspired by the Italian Renaissance. A marble façade is adorned with ornate carvings and a clock tower, while inside, impressive columns, chandeliers, and Belle Epoque frescoes transport you to another era. Now part of the highly regarded Anantara group, and a member of Leading Hotels of the World, it offers 185 richly decorated guest rooms featuring Murano glass chandeliers and marble clad bathrooms. The exquisite New York Café, set within the hotel, has been described as the world’s most beautiful coffee house, and it is easy to see why. A meeting place for the best literary and artistic minds when it opened in the early 20th century, it now draws crowds keen to take in the gilded surroundings and sample the famous 24-carat-gold cappuccino. Guests can also choose to dine in White Salon, the hotel’s brasserie, or the glamorous lobby restaurant, Atrium. The exclusive spa, designed to feel like a network of cocoon-like caves, features wet facilities, including sauna, steam and experience showers, and a softly lit, heated relaxation pool. All this, and a location in the heart of the action on Great Boulevard.
anantara.com/en/new-york-palace-budapest
VERNO HOUSE BUDAPEST
This boutique retreat in the heart of the city was welcomed as part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection this summer. In line with its mission statement – to provide a space for guests to “bond, breathe and bloom” – the hotel’s design embraces natural light and verdant greenery. The aesthetic is warm and welcoming, with a palette of warm hues and neutral shades, accented with abstract furniture and sculptural lighting installations – and everywhere is infused with the hotel’s gorgeous signature cedar wood scent. There are 48 stylish guest rooms, all boasting either city or park views. We particularly love the corner suites, where the floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular views of Budapest’s characteristic Art Nouveau architecture. And the guest facilities are just as good: the Michelin Guide-recommended Flava Kitchen & More serves a menu of inventive North African, Latin American, and Middle Eastern-inspired delicacies, alongside beloved local dishes including beef cheek stew with spätzle, and goulash. Meanwhile, the spa offers a tranquil retreat with Turkish steam bath, Finnish sauna, whirlpool bath, and fitness centre. And a full menu of indulgent massage and facial treatments, featuring all-natural products and ingredients by local brand Botaniq, is available. Simply heavenly.
vernohouse.com
KIMPTON BEM BUDAPEST
This gorgeous 127-room boutique hotel has an enviable riverside location on the leafy Buda banks of the Danube, just a stone’s throw from famous Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Having opened just this summer, it is the new kid on the block when it comes to Budapest’s luxury hotel scene; internationally acclaimed Marcel Wanders has overseen a striking and sophisticated makeover of a listed 19th-century mansion. His bold design references mythology – a golden stag stands in the centre of the grand lobby, and the reception desks are adorned with bold purple and green floral motifs that draw from Hungarian folklore. Meanwhile, in garden themed guest rooms, murals of native local flora adorn the walls, and sea themed rooms feature octopus-adorned headboards and wave motifs on carpets and walls. With options for all different occasions and appetites, guests are promised an epicurean experience as exciting as the design – choose from the all-day lobby-level bar and restaurant, the signature Mediterranean restaurant, and an exclusive, ‘secret’ oasis featuring a rooftop garden serving bespoke cocktails and bites, with a side of spectacular views. And don’t miss the wellness area, complete with a 24/7 fitness centre, hot tub and steam room, the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
kimptonbembudapest.com
