Waiting for business partners, sipping coffee and gazing at the magnificent arches of the hotel’s unique atmosphere, you can almost relive the happy, peaceful years of the early 20th century. And not without reason, as the Continental Hotel Budapest, reborn from the ashes of the former Hungária Baths and Continental Hotel, is a place that combines the most precious traditions of the Hungarian capital with the expectations of the modern world.
A fusion of Art Nouveau with trendy modern interior design. Such is the green oasis in the heart of Budapest, where you leave the stress and noise of the big city behind you from the moment you enter, to surrender to the tranquillity that radiates from the century-old walls of the Continental Hotel Budapest**** Superior. The sculptural Art Nouveau façade of the hotel, built in 1910, and the copper-clad revolving doors, reminiscent of the elegance of hotels of yesteryear, are already signs that we have arrived in a unique environment where classic and contemporary design elements meet in perfect harmony.
Stepping into the building’s naturally lit, vaulted lobby, you are greeted by a special atmosphere that makes you stop for a few minutes to enjoy a unique view of the interior of an Art Nouveau castle, with understated European elegance. The water-themed reliefs of the arches, the decorative copper ornaments, the beautiful tiles and the oval glass dome of the former baths covering the ceiling of the lobby offer a unique spectacle that goes far beyond the usual hotel spaces.
This special world is complemented by the elegant bistro-style interior of the recently revived Art Deco inspired ARAZ Restaurant and the last century cityscape painted on the firewall of the terrace, which is a perfect addition to the small interior park with modern sculptures in the hotel’s inner courtyard. The hotel’s new-look mezzanine, the Gallery Café & Bar, a hidden refuge from the city traffic, is also a key element of the unique experience, combining a classic café atmosphere with today’s functional elegance.
As the final element of the revitalisation of the Continental Hotel Budapest, the conference rooms have also been completely renewed, with bright walls and furniture radiating modern elegance. The five conference rooms – including the largest, Hungaria, which can accommodate 160 people, and the 15-seat Board Room, perfect for discreet business meetings – are all air-conditioned, naturally lit, with blackout blinds, and equipped with the latest visual and audio technology.
And to crown the downtown oasis feel, the hotel’s rooftop wellness, located beneath the hotel’s vast skylights, offers an indoor pool and saunas to keep guests feeling physically and mentally rejuvenated all year round.
Next to it, the open-air rooftop lounge is a true metropolitan oasis, with lush greenery, comfortable loungers, a pool, and in the distance, Budapest’s jewels such as the Synagogue, the Basilica dome, the Matthias Church spire and the top of the Parliament.
Zoltan M. Ersek
