With its grand Austro-Hungarian
boulevards, Art Nouveau architecture and fin-de-siècle air, Budapest is one of
the great showcases of central European culture. It is beautifully defined by
the Danube, which runs through its heart, neatly bisecting urban Pest from the
more rarefied hills of Buda. Its old-world coffee houses serve rich cakes and
pastries. And its residents have been enjoying the natural hot-water springs
and culture of bathing and spas since Roman times. A bonus in these lean times
is that it is cheap: a recent survey conducted by the Post Office found that of
all the central and eastern European cities outside the Eurozone, Budapest
represented the best value of all.
If high culture and low cost are not temptation enough, further persuasion to visit – were any
needed – is provided by the Hotel Corvinus – a postmodern five-star hotel, located
close to both the tourist quarter and the financial district, with 335
beautifully outfitted rooms, 31 suites, three restaurants, an Asian spa and a
luxury shopping arcade. The Hotel also owns a unique
collection of contemporary Hungarian art, while the Kempinski Gallery exhibits
temporary modern art shows. The hotel (the
first Hungarian member of The Leading Hotels of the World and recipient of the prestigious “Seven Stars and
Stripes” Award) boasts a serene atmosphere, luxurious rooms, elegant restaurants and
state-of-the-art technology. In its blend of tradition and modernity the
Corvinus is, in many ways, emblematic of modern day Budapest.
My room was decorated in hues of duck-egg
blue, warm beige and silver. The pale wood bedhead was pale wood inset with
lacquer; behind them, a feature wall was padded in turquoise, matching the
drapes. The room also featured striped velvet sofas with roll arms, pale wood
desks, complimentary wireless internet access and two desk chairs. The marble
bathrooms was inset with mother of pearl mosaic chips in the floor and walls,
and came replete with all the mod cons, a large walk in shower and an adjacent
bath.
The Hotel showcases a smorgasbord of seasonal specials in the Bistro
Jardin, Ristorante Giardino and Lobby Lounge & Bar, and the seasonal
Kempinski Terrace and Fashion Lounge on the pedestrianised Fashion Street.
Furthermore, the Hotel is now also home to Nobu, which was opened with much
fanfare in autumn 2010. The sake barrel was cracked open by Robert De Niro, managing partner Meir Teiper, Andy Vajna, the owner of
the restaurant and Nobu Matsuhisa himself
while a star studded international A-list crowd watched.
In keeping with the long-standing Hungarian tradition of spas and
well-being, the hotel features the Asian-accented Kempinski Spa, designed by
Hungarian architect Agnes Balint, uses natural materials, including indigenous
Indonesian and Chinese handcrafted furniture. The 500 square metre Spa, with
its impressive vista over St Stephen’s Cathedral, features a fitness centre,
indoor pool, a traditional Finnish sauna, steam bath, solarium and a
therapeutic bath and massage suite, which is also suitable for treatments for
couples. An ice well, heated Kneipp benches, foot soaking basins and several
treatment rooms offering aromatherapy, combine with integrated audio and
lighting systems to provide a holistic sensory experience that is unrivalled in
Budapest. I asked the receptionist to recommend her favourite treatment, and
she unhesitatingly answered ‘Pantai Luar’. I
followed her tip, and was delighted; the 60 minute treatment involved a heady
combination of heat, aromatic botanicals and massage using heated stamps of
coconut, lime and herbs, and I left feeling utterly uplifted.
Locationwise, the hotel is second to none in downtown
Budapest; a stone’s throw from Váci
Street, Erzsébet Square and Vörösmarty tér, home to the famous Gerbeaud Cafe.
The transportation hub Deák tér is also nearby for a quick escape by metro
to all the other sights of the city.Standard rooms from EUR 143 per night
Erzsébet tér 7-8 • Budapest -1051 • Hungary
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