Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, also known as the “Pearl of the Danube”, receives 20 million tourists every year. Its powers of attraction were present even during the era of Soviet domination, and its success is in part due to its blend of classical, Baroque and art nouveau influences. For lovers of classicism, the peaceful hills of old Buda possess sumptuous buildings and numerous opportunities for walks along the old small narrow streets that surround the castle of the same name. On the other side of the Danube, Pest possesses an entirely different personality with a more animated, intense atmosphere and its art nouveau facades. Budapest has retained a number of its customs and traditions, and one of the features of its popularity is its traditional baths. With about eighty known thermal sources, these baths are a veritable institution. Among the most frequented are the Gellert in Buda and Széchényi in Pest. So don’t forget your bathing suit, bathing cap and thongs.

A legend comes back to life

After the total renovation of the Boscolo Budapest (formerly the New York Palace) and the Dreschler Palace, it was the turn of the Four Seasons Gresham Palace to undergo a transformation. This sumptuous 1906 building destined to be the Budapest branch of the British Gresham Insurance firm, could not remain abandoned for long. To do so would have been to betray the memory of this illustrious building whose halls still resound with the discussions and debates of the capital’s bourgeoisie, most of which took place in the legendary Café Venezia. The Hungarian-Canadian entrepreneur, Bela Fejer paid millions of dollars to restore the nobility and prestige of this historic building which had fallen into disuse. The antique stained glass windows created by the master glassmaker, Miksa Roth and the original tiles were cleaned up to once again allow the light to filter in. The magnificent art nouveau architecture of the building took on the former elegance so characteristic of 19^th century Budapest. Today, as a five-star palace hotel, it attracts the world’s celebrities. Actress Sophia Loren chose the Gresham to celebrate her son’s wedding.

Although all of the 179 rooms offer great luxury and comfort, room 431 has another major advantage: a spectacular view of the Danube and the Buda castle.