★★★★★
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Five StarThe Gresham Palace is one of the finest Art Nouveau buildings in the world, and one of the finest hotels in Europe. It stands directly facing the Chain Bridge on the Pest bank of the Danube, and the view from its Danube-facing suites across the river to the hills of Buda and the Royal Palace is one that guests remember for the rest of their lives. Built in 1906 for the Gresham Life Assurance Company and meticulously restored before reopening as a Four Seasons hotel in 2004, it has earned the Forbes Five Star award for ten consecutive years and remains the only hotel in Hungary to hold this distinction.
The building itself repays careful attention. The entrance hall's Zsolnay ceramic floor, the peacock gate of wrought iron and the stained glass windows by Miksa Roth are among the finest examples of Hungarian Art Nouveau craftsmanship anywhere. The 160 rooms and 19 suites are individually designed, many with balconies overlooking the Danube. Kollázs Brasserie and Bar, the hotel's principal restaurant, has been recognised by the Michelin Guide and overlooks the Chain Bridge through tall windows. MUZSA, the lobby bar, serves afternoon tea on hand-painted Herend Porcelain to the accompaniment of live piano.
The spa, fitness centre and rooftop terrace complete a hotel that is simply without equal in Budapest. If you are travelling to Budapest on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and cost is not the primary consideration, this is where you should stay.
