Kempinski wins 2017 World Travel Awards top honors in Hungary
Congratulations to everyone at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest for earning the title of Hungary’s Leading Hotel for the fourth time at the 2017 World Travel Awards ceremony in September, an annual competition described as the “Oscars” of the global travel and tourism industry. Budapest’s central Kempinski Hotel – currently celebrating its 25th anniversary – also won this honor in 2009, 2010, and 2011, and this year the award judges declared the hotel’s Royal Suite Corvinus (occupied by such luminaries as Michael Jackson, Cindy Crawford, and Tom Jones) as Hungary’s Leading Hotel Suite.
Danubius hotels on Margaret Island receive new renovation works
A pair of historic hotels set amid the lush parkland of Budapest’s Margaret Island are set to receive major renovations to modernize both their public amenities and guest rooms. In the first phase, the Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget will upgrade the lobby, ground-floor conference rooms, and catering units with state-of-the-art facilities; this reconstruction is expected to be complete by February 2018. The second renovation phase includes renewal of accomodations at the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget, built in 1873 and designed by Hungarian State Opera House architect Miklós Ybl.
The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest welcomes new Executive Chef Matthew Piercy
With globe-trotting work experience including culinary duties at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, Canadian foodsmith Matthew Piercy brings ample international expertise to his new role as Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, with his appointment announced by this city-center five-star hotel in September. Chef Piercy’s fresh assignment includes overseeing the hotel’s Kupola Bar (overlooking downtown’s green oasis of Erzsébet Square) and the comfortably stylish Deák Street Kitchen restaurant, where he is dreaming up seasonal dishes with distinct Hungarian flavors.
InterContinental’s riverfront Corso Restaurant brews a new craft beer
Just in time for autumn’s Octoberfest celebrations, the InterContinental Budapest’s Corso Restaurant on the panoramic Danube Promenade now offers an exclusive Hungarian-made craft beer. Corso Beer is full-bodied, aromatic, and has a smooth aftertaste, providing refreshing accompaniment to several of Executive Chef Gergő Gullner’s hearty fall dishes, or enjoyable on its own for sipping while chatting and admiring views over landmarks like the Chain Bridge and the Buda Castle. This picturesque location is always a popular place for holiday-season feasts, so book early to get a window-side table.
The 2017 St. Martin’s Day Wine Festival features Magyar star chef Tamás Széll
Happening for the 7th time at Budapest’s landmark Danubius Hotel Gellért, the annual St. Martin’s Day Wine Festival fills this historic Art Nouveau building with goose dishes and many kinds of Hungarian wine during a variety of merry events spanning November 9-12. Honoring the November 11th feast day of St. Martin, this gloriously gluttonous gathering draws foodies for Hungarian specialties and good libations in the main festival halls, while special dinners include seven-course meals prepared by Europe’s current Bocuse d’Or champion chef, Hungary’s own Tamás Széll, with his partner Szabina Szulló.
Hotel Rum welcomes guests with an intoxicating winter package
The coldest months are just beginning in Budapest, but downtown’s fashionably fun Hotel Rum is providing warm welcomes with their new Winter Ruming package. Two guests stay in a large uniquely designed double room for two nights with breakfast, two 24-hour tickets for hop-on-hop-off Budapest bus-tour service, and a 15% discount in the hotel’s hip Urban Tiger restaurant, along with cups of spicy mulled wine or hot tea upon arrival. The package is available on weekdays for 130 euros (or 145 euros on weekends) per night per room between November 1st and March 15th, except on holiday-blackout dates.
Budapest’s Marriott hotels offer delicious discounts for Advent
During the upcoming Christmas season, both of Budapest’s Marriott hotels are offering guests a tasteful gift – discounts at their on-site restaurants. Between November 23rd and December 27th, visitors who spend two nights at either the riverfront Budapest Marriott Hotel or the modern Courtyard Budapest City Center receive 10% off at the popular Peppers! Mediterranean Grill (a deluxe eatery featuring excellent Sunday brunches and panoramic views over the Danube Promenade), as well as at the Courtyard hotel’s Oléo Pazzo Mediterranean Bistro, serving authentic Italian delights in a downtown locale.
