Discover Budapest’s Evolving Soul at W Budapest: A Multicultural Metropolis

The much awaited launch of W Budapest, the first location of the brand in Hungary, has been announced by W Hotels Worldwide, a member of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 31 outstanding hotel brands. W Budapest is positioned to become the city’s evolving pulse with forward-thinking design, eclectic culinary, and a socially minded ethos taken from the multicultural metropolis. It is housed in the historic Drechsler Palace, once the Institute of Ballet.

The 151 chic guestrooms and suites at W Budapest, which is situated on the city’s most opulent retail strip and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as three cutting-edge culinary concepts, are all influenced by Budapest’s rich history, diversity, and creativity.

Once W Rome opens in 2021, W Budapest will serve as a showpiece for the company’s evolving strategy. It offers stunning design in a posh, refined, yet fun environment that will appeal to the upcoming generation of affluent travellers.

In order to create captivating design narratives, interior designers Bowler James Brindley (London) and Bánáti + Hartvig (Hungary) painstakingly restored and reimagined Drechsler Palace, drawing on its rich cultural history and multiple identities as a café, social hub, and Hungarian State Ballet Academy. In addition to the history of the palace, the hotel’s’second skin’ design story combines the two halves of the city, Buda and Pest, in a fun way. The design concept has produced spaces that disclose new depths with each use, from delicate layering to the use of metallic meshing to generate perspective and curiosity throughout the hotel’s public spaces and guestrooms.

The grand French Renaissance architectural style that permeates the city has also served as a source of inspiration, inspiring a spirited modernization with colour schemes of green, coral, and deep blue that are paired with modern Zsolnay-inspired tiles, stained glass features, and lighting fixtures that are inspired by jewellery. The new hotel also reflects Hungary’s thriving and diverse cultural scene, including the region’s well-known fondness for chess and enduring ties to ballet. Soft pink hues, curved lines, and lighting inspired by the beautiful fluidity of the dance form are just a couple of the subtle hints to both that can be found in the custom-made chess-piece lights, monochromatic marble tile flooring, and other design elements.

Harry Houdini and Zsa Zsa Gabor, two of Hungary’s most well-known exports, have inspired a unique vision for the interior idea, which is conveyed utilising mirrors to create optical illusions and retro elements of Hollywood glitz.

The 151 unique guestrooms at the hotel, including 45 suites, all have the interconnecting design tales. While the hotel’s relationship to ballet is evident in the all-black Extreme WOW suite and all-white WOW suite, a celebration of the well-known ballet Swan Lake, the fifth floor’s distinctive wooden-centric style is sensitive to the original roof design of the Palace that has been restored.

The W Budapest debuts three innovative new dining concepts that will shake up the city’s culinary scene and encourage interaction between visitors and locals. Nightingale by Beefbar, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is its culinary centre and is run by renowned restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. A variation on the popular Beefbar idea, the restaurant provides a welcoming introduction to Asian food by combining authentic fresh Asian flavours with a variety of Beefbar’s trademark and legendary beef dishes. Fabio Polidori, who is in charge of the Nightingale by Beefbar kitchen, has created a convivial menu of small meals meant to be shared with friends. Signature dishes include the humorously called Miss Bao, which invites diners to dip caramelised banana into a delectable dark chocolate sauce, yellowtail sashimi with yuzu truffle sauce, and crispy carpaccio drenched in a pungent chipotle vinaigrette. A variety of inventive cocktails are available at the bar at Nightingale by Beefbar, including the bourbon-based Nightingale Boulvardier and the gin- and sweet wine-based Budapest Calling.

Society25, the hotel’s secret speakeasy located in the basement, is a hotspot for the in crowd. In order to provide a passionately intimate and socially liberating experience, Society25 draws inspiration from the imaginative dialogues and hidden table societies that frequented the area in its previous life. Eight custom drinks honouring famous eras, personalities, and buildings in the city are available on the extensive cocktail menu. Each one has a mystifying component and is meticulously supervised by Head Barman Stefano Ripiccini. The Illusionist, named after the legendary Houdini, Brew Bop, a tribute to Budapest’s Golden Age of Coffee, and Geranium, which was inspired by Drechsler Palace itself, are all available for guests to choose from.

We’ll meet at W.
W Lounge, the hotel’s social hub, is situated on the ground floor and easily blends into Nightingale restaurant. From business meetings and light lunches to late-night celebrations, W Lounge transforms from day to night, serving sharing platters and speciality cocktails as the sun sets over Budapest to the sound of electrifying DJ sets.

A number of meeting and event rooms are also available at the new hotel, including the Great Room, which is perfect for large celebrations, and two Studio Rooms, which are excellent for private gatherings and business meetings.

A Signal for Society
This is a site that is constantly active. where links and associations with people, places, and the lovely city of Budapest open doors and minds. FACES OF BUDAPEST will be among the passionate programming that begins in August in honour of Budapest Fashion Week. Through sharing views and establishing relationships, this series of roundtable discussions will highlight the amazing Budapest residents who embody the vibrant city. Dávid Ráday, music curator at W Budapest, will ignite the sounds of the city through musical explorations paired with cocktails and bites at SUNSET SESSIONS, THE WARM-UP, and AFTERDARK. W RE(TREAT), led by local Annamaria Kaptay, will be a series of in-person and in-room virtual yoga classes curated exclusively for guests of W.

A Secret Oasis Beneath the City
The AWAY® Spa at the W Budapest is tucked away right near to the discreet speakeasy. There are secret places accessible only through hidden doors where visitors can find peace away from the busy city and take some time to unwind. Mirrors and water elements here bring the Houdini-inspired illusion to life by evoking a sense of endless space and tranquilly. The WET® pool takes central stage, creating a seductive paradise adorned with historic tiles and gold mesh, coupled with calming earth tones. It was inspired by the warm baths that Budapest is famous for. In addition to its ‘Quick Fix’ menu, which offers a variety of quick treatments for those who need a glow-up before taking in Budapest’s vibrant nightlife, The AWAY® Spa has five treatment rooms and offers a variety of opulent therapies. Along with a modern gym, the FIT® fitness centre offers daily exercise and wellness sessions.