This summer, Hungary’s oldest hotel reopened its doors to offer just 10 luxurious contemporary rooms and suites. Baroque Travel finds out all about Hotel Pest-Buda in Budapest, which has just been meticulously restored to its former glory
Located just a few steps from Matthias Church in Budapest, Hotel Pest-Buda was originally opened at the end of the 17th Century in the Buda Castle district, the historic heart of this Hungarian city. Surrounded by historic buildings and quiet streets, the hotel has just been restored to its former glory and is now a sleek family-owned boutique hotel.
The new iteration offers four different types of rooms and suites, including standard rooms, courtyard rooms, suites and two magnificent atelier suites located on top of the building on the rooftop. Although more modern in style, the hotel still retains its historic aesthetic, with a Hungarian bistro that features an old-fashioned home-style kitchen – this was reopened after it was refurbished in 2011. In addition, the building’s original baroque-style roof is still intact.
Originally built as an inn, Pest-Buda is the first hotel to ever have been opened in Hungary and the ground floor of the establishment, where the restaurant is located, has served as a pub or restaurant for centuries. The renovation of the accommodation has just been completed, and the hotel now boasts 10 individually designed and decorated luxury rooms and suites.
The restaurant is a Budapest landmark, and now boasts an innovative chef, Lajos Lutz, whose menu features Hungarian specialities rediscovered in his inimitable signature style.
Today, this famous hotel, which is part of the Budapest-based Zsidai Gastronomy and Hospitality Group, is the perfect combination of old world style and modern comfort. With a choice of rooms for singles or couples offering walk-in rain showers or suites with lounge, separate bedroom and walk-in rain showers and stunning views of the street, Matthias Church and the National Archives, the hotel, which is just 10 minutes from the city center, is ideal for both business and pleasure.
The highlight of the hotel’s accommodation is the two Atelier Suites on the baroque rooftop that incorporate the exposed original roof structure plus a vast floor-to-ceiling window offering panoramic views of the rooftops, Buda Castle and the bell tower of Matthias Church. Each of the suites offers its own living room, a bedroom, and en suite bathroom with freestanding tub and walk-in rain shower.