The Gerlóczy Café which serves French and international fare.

Whether your travelling to Budapest for business or leisure, give yourself a little treat and stay at Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux. Built in 1892, this former bank building has been stylishly renovated into a luxury boutique hotel.

Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux is situated in the middle of a fabulous old square in the historical downtown of Pest named after the united city’s first mayor, Karoly Kamermayer. The hotel is also flanked by a Paris-style salami shop and a cheese shop “Fromagerie” making it ideal for picnic- shopping. The Merlin International Theatre, galleries, designer shops, restaurants, and many other attractions are all in the general area.

There are 15 rooms on four floors: the red floor, blue floor, green floor and gray floor. Each room has been individually designed and consists of a private bathroom, safe, minibar, flat screen television, and wireless Internet access. Five of the rooms have clawfoot tubs, and all of them have unique designed tiles and tubs.

The magnificent staircase within the Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux.

Perhaps, the best thing about Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux is the atmosphere and ambiance. The staff is very friendly and guests can really feel welcomed here. There’s also a nice feeling that comes from staying in a smaller hotel that only accommodates a limited number of guests. And if that isn’t enough for you, the overall interior design of the hotel will certainly make your day. The high ceilings, stained glass windows, spiral staircase, and rich patterned fabrics add to the experience of this charming hotel.

On the ground floor, is the Gerlóczy Café which serves French and international fare in a colorful and casual setting. Guests are treated to breakfast with a selection of freshly baked pastries and egg dishes.

For those who are seeking historic charm and modern flair at a reasonable price, look no further than Gerlóczy Rooms de Lux.

The hotel also plans to open three additional rooms on the top floor of their building for 2011.

Room rates are 85 Euros per night + 10 Euros for breakfast per person.

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Hostel Celica which was once a prison until 1991. Guests can choose from 20 different cells, each competely renovated by a different artist. Photo courtesy of Hostel Celica.

A prison is probably the last place most of us would want to spend the night, right?  However, in some cases people are actually paying their way to experience life behind bars.

Located in Slovenia’s capital city – Ljubljana, Hostel Celica is an artistically renovated building that was once a former prison dating back to 1883. It was closed down following the departure of the Yugoslav army in 1991. Here guests have the opportunity to sleep in a cell which includes mezzanine bunk beds along with metal bars on the door and barred windows. There are 20 cells, each one that has a unique design and was renovated by a different artist – giving guests the ultimate jailhouse feeling. 

Run by a non-profit organization that was created by students at the University of Ljubljana, Hostel Celica helps to promote and develop youth tourism in Slovenia. The hostel has become a highly popular tourist attraction, even offering guided tours daily.

Hostel Celica has been named on various travel centric lists including 2007 Rough Guides’ 25 Ultimate Experiences – Places to Stay, as well as 2005 Lonely Planet’s Blue List as #1 on their list of the World’s Hippest Hostels.

So, lock yourself in and enjoy the experience!

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The New York Palace with it's stunning façade at night. Photo courtesy of Boscolo Hotels.

Budapest is known for its historical buildings including magnificent examples of neoclassicism and Art Nouveau. In the past decade, many of these establishments have been renovated and remodelled into high-class accommodations attracting all types of guests. 

Here are just a few of the best hotels in Budapest that include both a great night’s stay and hold historical significance. 

New York Palace 

At the end of the 19th century the New York Life Insurance Company extended its business interests to Hungary, and assigned architect Alajos Hauszmann to build a four story eclectic hotel known as The New York Palace. Today, the hotel remains one of the most beautiful and magnificent establishments in the city. It features an eclectic neo-Renaissance style with lavishly decorated pillars, fine marble and ornate Italian furnishings throughout its premises. On the ground floor, the hotel is occupied by the historic New York Café, dubbed “the most beautiful café in the world”. Opened in 1894 by Sandor Steuer, a member of an important Hungarian coffee family, the café soon became the centre of Budapest’s vibrant artistic and cultural life at the turn of the twenty-first century. During the 1956 uprising, the building suffered significant damage and was deemed too costly to repair. However, all that changed when it was bought by Italian Boscolo Hotels in 2001 and was restored to its original splendour a few years later. 

Entrance to the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace. The hotel consists of Art Nouveau style and architecture. Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace

St. George Residence & Hotel 

St. George Residence & Hotel is located in the picturesque Buda Castle District and is steps away from some of the city’s best historical sites such as Fisherman’s Bastion, the Matthias Church and Holy Trinity Square. Built on a 600 year-old foundation from the medical ages, it has served in many capacities over the years and has recently undergone major reconstructing to preserve its original beauty and heritage. The Baroque style hotel features 26 suites equipped with a bedroom, living room, bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen and unlimited Internet access. As well as accommodation, the St. George Residence facilities are completed with a restaurant serving both Hungarian and International food, a coffee shop, a cigar room and numerous private living rooms and a medieval pub. The hotel makes an excellent choice for families and long-term visits. 

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace 

Situated on the banks of the Danube River, at the foot of the Chain Bridge, is the opulent and dramatic Hotel Gresham Palace. The building was originally home to the Gresham Life Insurance Company, which later became apartments before being converted to the Four Seasons Hotel in 2004. Its Art Nouveau style is reflected throughout the building including wrought-iron vents in the hallways, vast chandeliers, exquisite gold mosaic tiles on the façade, stained-glass windows, and cupolas. There are 179 spacious rooms and suites, many of which have balconies offering sensational views over the city. Inspired by Budapest’s rich spa heritage, the hotel has a spa and indoor pool which features underwater lighting and music. 

Corinthia Hotel 

Beautifully transformed and tenderly restored from the old Grand Hotel Royal in 2003, it has retained much of its original interior and breathtaking historical façade. Spread over six floors, its 414 air-conditioned guestrooms comprises of elegant decor with cherry wood furnishings and rich patterned fabrics. Corinthia Hotel offers a wide range of  facilities including a 15-metre indoor swimming pool, several relaxation areas, saunas, steam bath, jacuzzis, a fitness room, tropical rain showers, Niagara bathtubs, mud baths, seaweed baths, as well as a variety of therapeutic and massage treatments. 

Hotel Palazzo Zichy. The building was once the residence of a famous Hungarian noble, Count Nándor Zichy. Photo courtesy of Hotel Palazzo Zichy.

Hotel Palazzo Zichy 

Originally designed and constructed in the 19th century, this luxury hotel once served as the residence of a famous Hungarian noble, Count Nándor Zichy. The 80-room hotel features stylish contemporary décor with state of the art facilities including flat panel televisions and complimentary high-speed Internet access in each suite. Guests are also treated to a buffet breakfast served in their unique glass-roofed restaurant, combining modern comforts with its historical atmosphere. Hotel Palazzo Zichy is conveniently located in the heart of Budapest’s palace district, near the M3 metro and only a 5-minute walk from the National Museum. 

Danubius Hotel Astoria 

Danubius Hotel Astoria is one of the most charming old-style hotels in Budapest. Opened in 1914 and built on the site of medieval town walls, it was named after the world-famous Waldorf Astoria in New York. Its deluxe rooms feature elegant antique-like white furnishings with fancy carpets, crystal chandeliers, glittering mirrors and stained-glass windows. The hotel’s traditional, yet fashionable Mirror Café & Restaurant serves excellent Hungarian delicacies as well as International flavours.

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The Ring Hotel features 68 luxury guest rooms with state-of-the-art facilities.

Vienna is a city that’s known for its imperial palaces, classical operas and traditional coffeehouses.

However, Austria’s famous capital is starting to become a place where the new and modern coexist with the old.

Vienna is now booming with trendy shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Vienna’s prime shopping street, the Mariahilfer Strasse stretches over 1.8 kilometers long. Fashion labels such as H&M to Mango, Zara, Peek & Cloppenburg, Benetton and Vero Moda dominate the area.

The Ring Hotel, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel is one of the newest additions to the city mixing classical charm with modern style. Located directly on the Ringstrasse, the 5-star hotel features 68 luxury guest rooms with state-of-the-art facilities. Hotel amenities include a luxurious spa with fitness facilities, a business center open 24 hours, free wireless Internet access and use of a Nespresso coffee machine in every room.

The chic and trendy lobby at The Ring Hotel.

On the ground floor of The Ring is their awarding winning restaurant, “At Eight.” The restaurant serves aroma cuisine, where dishes are prepared using ethereal oils and herbs. The concept is new but the elements behind it are traced back to classical cooking says Thomas Seifried, Head Chef, “We’re using these oils to enhance the natural flavors.”

At Eight restaurant which serves high-quality aroma cuisine.

Thomas Seifried works with over 60 different types of oils and herbs including orange oil, cinnamon oil, menthol oil, honey oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. All the oils are natural and assist in creating unique sensations for each dish.

There is a lot of creativity in working with these elements explains Thomas Seifried, but it is also a real challenge since most people are not aware of aroma cuisine as of yet.

In 2008, At Eight won the Gault Millau toque award which is one of Europe’s most prestigious restaurant awards.

In addition, The Ring Hotel offers its guests a unique bar area, Drings, which is famed for its extraordinary vodka cocktails. Some of the specialty vodka brands include Roberto Cavalli, Snow Queen, and D. Trump Super Premium.

Thomas Seifried, Head Chef of At Eight Restaurant.

For those that seek a blend of contemporary and classic in Vienna, we’ll surely find it at this innovative establishment.

The Ring Hotel, Vienna’s Casual Luxury Hotel
Kaerntner Ring 8
1010 Vienna, Austria
+43 (1) 22 1 22
www.theringhotel.com

At Eight Restaurant
Kaerntner Ring 8
1010 Vienna, Austria
+43 (1) 22 1 22 3830
www.ateight-restaurant.com

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