Budapest is one of Europe’s most vibrant and pulsating cities. Hungary’s capital city could not be more beautiful with decadent art nouveau, barouche, Gothic, Renaissance buildings, ornate monuments, and museum quality outdoor sculptures at every turn. The culture has been made even richer by the conquering dynasties from the east and west that have left their mark as displayed with in the arts, culture, music and, of course, the cuisine. In the heart of the city, is a functional monument as well as a luxurious haven for explorers of this fabulous city, The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest.

The hotel is literally located in the middle of it all with a location that could not be more ideal to explore the city. The hotel faces Elizabeth Square, which is a tree-lined park with benches, cafes and a market selling local treats and crafts. This is also where you’ll find the Budapest Eye, the city’s near-do-well version of the London Eye, and an enormous reflective pool where during the summer months, locals sit along the edge while taking a break to read a book, have their lunch or dip their feet in the pool to cool off.

At the hotel’s rear is the bustling Fashion Street lined with designer boutiques and luxury brand outlets. And just a short walk away is the Chain Bridge and the city’s most stunning attraction, the iconic Danube River, with a pedestrian walk where visitors will want to explore for hours.

From the exterior, the Ritz-Carlton, Budapest looks more like a turn of the century government building with imposing beige stone walls, clean and square lines and, save the goddess statues that surround the façade, is in complete contrast to the ornate gothic and baroque architecture for which Budapest is well known. The hotel’s conservative façade was created as intended as its first purpose was as the headquarters of an insurance company built over 100 years ago in 1914.

The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest is the hotel chain’s first hotel in Hungary which opened in 2016 to the jubilation of luxury travelers from around the world. What they’ve been able to do is to preserve and respect this turn of the century icon and repurpose it with all the creature comforts required by today’s discerning traveler.

Indoors the grandeur of the hotel is immediately apparent with, soaring three story high ceilings, marble columns and beige and brown marble floors. The hotel’s aesthetic would be defined as modern luxury with Art Nouveau influences as seen in the vibrant colored furnishings, towering vases with colorful flowers and carpets that swirl with blue and white that contrast with the otherwise neutral surfaces. Throughout the property are gorgeous works of art intermixed with framed, turn-of-the-century advertisement posters, old photographs and other period pieces that revere Budapest’s past. There’s even a display case filled with mementoes that pay homage to famous Hungarians such as Erno Rubik, the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube and Laszlo Biro who invented the ball point pen in 1938.

Without question the hotels most impressive space is the Kupola Lounge. Just off the lobby is the expansive three-story high hall with a towering ceiling, neo-classical columns, an impressive venetian crystal chandelier, all of which lie under a magnificent stained-glass dome.

This worlds-class hotel offers 200 well-appointed guest rooms, a VIP Club Lounge, two restaurants, bars, and a pool and spa. The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest is ideal for business travelers as well as leisure explorers visiting this dynamic city.

As one would expect in a Ritz-Carlton hotel, the spacious 171 rooms and 29 suites are elegant and contemporary with, high ceiling, clean lines, and an understated neutral color palatte of beige and cream with accents of blue and green inspired by the Danube. The bathrooms feature marble surfaces, heated floors with a deep soaking bath and separate walk-in shower. The views from the oversized windows are spectacular as well overlooking Elizabeth Park or the bustling Fashion Street below.

The suites are made to impress with a separate living and sleeping areas both generous in size. As this is a heritage building, many of the rooms are unique with some having fireplaces and outdoor terraces overlooking the city.

The hotel offers a Club Lounge for their most privileged guests staying in their Club rooms and is also available to other hotel guests for an additional fee. The living room like venue is a great refuge after a long day of meetings or exploration with plenty of areas to relax or to have a cocktail or a meal.

The Club Lounge gives their guests the royal treatment with complimentary meals and snacks throughout the day as well as afternoon cocktails. In addition, guests of the Club Level have a dedicated check-in/check-out and a dedicated concierge to handle dinner reservations, travel arrangements or access to exclusive events around town.

With most Ritz-Carlton hotels, one would expect a fine dining restaurant with crisp white linen covered tables and waiters in suits. The signature dining experience at the Ritz-Carlton, Budapest is the Deák Street Kitchen or DSK Wine and Grill and could not be more different. This is a vibrant and casual brasserie style restaurant with a dining terrace along the bustling Fashion Street pavilion. The modern aesthetic is bolstered with parquet wooden floors, leather banquette seating, and a long brushed-copper bar to enjoy their amazing signature cocktails or for dining. On weekends, a duo of talented local artist croons smooth jazz vocals creating an inviting ambiance.

The star of the night is their Hungarian inspired farm-to-table menu that celebrates local and seasonal produce from regional artisan producers. Must have dishes include their mouth watering spätzle and goulash as well as fish and grilled meats prepared with Hungarian twists and techniques and accompanied by Hungarian comfort food side dishes.

Hungarian food is delicious, especially in Budapest, where so many cultures have created a patina of influences as seen in the spices and flavors of the cuisine. As amazing as the food may be, the wines of Hungary don’t take a back seat and are becoming more well-known and regarded on the world scene. The DSK Wine and Grill has an extensive list of top-class Hungarian wines, some of which are only available at the DSK Wine and Grill. The pride of Hungarian wines is advocated by their extremely capable sommeliers who have a depth of talent and knowledge, having visited many of the area’s wineries in person.

“So, when in Rome”…as the saying goes, one must imbibe in the local brandy of sorts, Palinka, and the jovial bartenders at the DSK Wine and Grill will be more than happy to oblige. Suffice it to say that it is an acquired taste that, to the unindoctrinated, will taste more like rubbing alcohol, turpentine, or perhaps a Grappa gone bad. Yet after a few, you’ll find yourself less focused on taste and more on effect.

The Kupola Lounge is a cinematic setting for cocktails s as well as an all-day dining experience. While in Budapest, the height of sophistication is their formal tea in the Kupola Lounge, dining on delicious sweet and savory dishes. However, guests on holiday may want to opt for a steady flow of bubbles and forgo the tea.
The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest is a full-service urban resort with an exceptional spa facility including three treatment rooms and a wide range of treatments from massages to beauty rituals using ESPA products. To relax there’s an Art Nouveau designed swimming pool room with a gurgling whirlpool as well as a steam and dry sauna and well-equipped fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment.

For the culture adventurer and urban explorer, Budapest is a must visit city. It is an electric city, any time of the year with a rich and vibrant culture so much to see and do. For the discerning traveler the Ritz-Carlton, Budapest makes the ideal respite to explore all that this fascinating city has to offer.