The indulgent spirit of Hungarian hospitality is rightfully legendary – many hotels here offer world-class accommodation and services with genuinely caring professionalism, often offered for remarkably friendly prices. In this instalment of our monthly “Checking In” series, we look around at the latest developments in Budapest’s hotel scene for news, special promotions and unbelievable bargains in August 2018.
Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget modernises lobby, conference facilities and more
As part of an ongoing project to refresh Margaret Island’s pair of deluxe Danubius resorts, this summer the Health Spa Resort Margitsziget completed a major renovation of its lobby, event facilities and thermal-bath reception area. Guests arrive at the riverfront hotel’s new earth-toned lobby appointed with comfy contemporary furniture, all surrounded by picture windows providing soothing views over Margaret Island’s greenery. Events fill 11 modern meeting halls newly equipped with moveable walls and high-tech audiovisual amenities, while the renovated break area features sleek natural-wood benches and cosy tables. The full-service spa now has an exclusive reception area decorated with a matching earth-toned design. Both the Health Spa Resort Margitsziget and the nearby Grand Hotel Margitsziget are on track to be fully modernised by the end of next year; see the Danubius website for more details.
New Hyatt Regency Budapest expected to open within historic downtown building in early 2020
In late July, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced they will launch Budapest’s first Hyatt Regency hotel within central Pest’s historic Postapalota building (pictured above), a former post-office headquarters on Petőfi Sándor utca in District V, just steps away from the shops of Váci utca and the public-transport hub of Deák tér. This grand urban palace will feature 231 guest rooms, modern conference facilities, a sumptuous spa with an indoor swimming pool, and a 4,197-square-foot ballroom, while the Postapalota’s inner courtyard will house the hotel’s bar and restaurant. The Hyatt Regency Budapest is expected to open for business in early 2020, and will be operating in the same neighbourhood as another Hyatt property: the restored Párisi Udvar hotel belonging to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Visit Hyatt’s online newsroom for additional information.
World Travel Awards honour Budapest hotels among 2018’s global winners
Every year for a quarter-century now, the World Travel Awards organisation confers accolades on the planet’s best hotels in various categories, with the voting process including opinions of hospitality-industry executives and ordinary guests alike. The list of 2018’s World Travel Awards winners went public in early July, and several major Budapest hotels earned top honours – the Castle District’s Hilton Budapest scored the prestigious title of Hungary’s Leading Hotel, while Aria Hotel Budapest was named Hungary’s Leading Boutique Hotel, and InterContinental Budapest was declared Hungary’s Leading Business Hotel. Other winners included the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest for Hungary’s Leading Hotel Suite (pictured above) and Fraser Residence Budapest, lauded for offering Hungary’s Leading Serviced Apartments. To view the entire list of 2018’s European titleholders, check out the World Travel Awards website.
Aria Hotel Budapest hires new food-and-beverage team for High Note SkyBar
After creating tasteful offerings with Budapest’s Gerbeaud team for over a year, this summer the Aria Hotel Budapest assembled a new independent food-and-beverage team consisting of top Hungarian managers, chefs and bartenders, including some who were enticed to return home after working at prestigious restaurants abroad. New F&B Director Tibor Baán previously supervised kitchen teams in Thailand spa hotels, while his assistant Olga Katona served at a variety of luxury lodgings in the USA before joining Aria. Up at the hotel’s rooftop High Note SkyBar, new bar managers Richárd Mihály and Péter Gózon (pictured) both have international experience and a common former employer – Budapest’s Costes restaurant, the first in Hungary to earn a Michelin star. These new hires join a harmonious crew of culinary professionals presenting meals designed to match quality cocktails; see the Aria website to learn more.
Budapest hotels offer alfresco dinners for viewing the August 20th fireworks show
August 20th is Saint Stephen’s Day, Hungary’s national holiday honouring the country’s founding king, with the annual celebrations culminating in stunning fireworks shows that light up night skies over cities nationwide. The biggest pyrotechnic display takes place here in Budapest, and several hotels with panoramic properties are taking this opportunity to host all-you-can-eat evening feasts at terrace tables where guests can watch the sparkling extravaganza from their seats. Directly on the Danube Promenade, the InterContinental Budapest’s Corso Restaurant offers freshly grilled summertime specialities such as barbecued pork ribs and chicken skewers along with Hungarian delights like Baja fish soup and Sauska rosé sparkling wine; the Corso website presents the full buffet menu. Also on the Pest riverfront, the Budapest Marriott Hotel’s Peppers! restaurant provides a sumptuous smorgasbord prepared by Executive Chef Imre Maráczi – see the Peppers! website for details. And while it’s not located on the waterfront, the Continental Hotel Budapest is welcoming everyone to their spacious rooftop garden to see the fireworks spreading above the urban skyline while enjoying goulash soup and gourmet finger foods served alfresco by the hotel’s ARAZ Restaurant team, along with unlimited glassfuls of beer or wine – but make sure to book a table for this event by August 15th; visit the Araz website for more information.
