Budapest's luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton – the first one in Central and Eastern Europe – opened in 2016, right next to Fashion Street in downtown Budapest. We've visited several times since, staying overnight to review the experience, savouring afternoon tea, and marvelling at its enormous Christmas tree. But on 7 January, the 'The Ritz-Carlton' sign was removed from the building. Along with it goes the brand, soon to be replaced by another ultra-luxury chain.
The property owner, Khalaf Al-Habtoor, is a Dubai-based businessman of Saudi origin who has a strong affinity for Budapest. Admittedly, he enjoys spending time in Budapest, has friends here and is a fan of Hungarian cuisine. His company, Al Habtoor Group, operates several hotels under its own brand in Dubai and one in Beirut, with interests spanning hospitality, real estate, and the automotive industry. They acquired the downtown building in 2012, initially to open The Ritz-Carlton. Also, as one of the largest investors in the UAE, Al Habtoor Group opened a regional office in Budapest in 2020. The group also collaborates with the Hilton brand (Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria) and owns the Budapest InterContinental and the Hotel Imperial in Vienna, both part of the Luxury Collection Hotel group.
And soon, the owner will be replacing The Ritz-Carlton with his own luxury brand, saying:
'The introduction of Al Habtoor Palace in Budapest reflects our vision to expand our homegrown luxury brand into Europe. Al Habtoor Palace represents the pinnacle of hospitality while offering an unforgettable experience in one of Europe's most vibrant cities. This marks the global debut of our ultra-luxury Al Habtoor Palace brand from Hungary, the jewel of Central Europe, and is a significant milestone for our group.'
They also mentioned that the hotel's guests can expect a unique blend of refined comfort, personalised care, and world-class standards, which have earned Al Habtoor Hospitality a distinguished reputation in the Middle East and worldwide.
Source: index.hu
(Cover photo: Gretchen Kessler)
