Budapest is known for its architecture. So when the opportunity to turn a 140-year-old neo-Renaissance building into a luxury hotel came up, some of Europe’s best designers joined forces to transform this property. Nestled across the Opera, W Budapest Hotel is one of Hungary’s newest and most luxurious hotels.
Unsurprisingly, it’s grand opening in July 2023 brought a lot of buzz in local and international publications like Dezeen, Wallpaper, and Hotel Designs.
W Budapest Hotel | Architecture
Design Studios: Bowler James Brindley, Bánáti + Hartvig
A brief history: Drechsler Palace
W Budapest Hotel is set inside the Drechsler Palace, a Neo-Renaissance structure that was built between 1883 and 1886. The palace was designed by Ödön Lechner and Gyula Pártos, who had the task of designing a building that would be as impressive as the Opera House.
After only three years of construction, the Neo-Renaissance-style building was complete and ready to serve as a café. Years later, it served as the headquarters of the Hungarian State Ballet Academy.
After a series of unfortunate events, remained dormant for 15 years before Marriott purchased it.
The architectural awakening of W Budapest Hotel
The first step toward redesigning the W Budapest was studying and re-imaging the original details of Drechsler Palace. Wherever possible, the original elements of the hotel remain today, like the tiles in the spa.
Additionally, bits and pieces of the original building and its history have still been incorporated into the newer elements of the building. Be it through pattern, texture and color. The architecture of W Budapest draws inspiration from surrounding buildings, iconic figures, and the city of Budapest.
The color palette is a rich, harmonious fusion of green, coral, and deep blues that are furnished with Zsolnay tiles, jewellery-inspired light fittings, and decorative motifs.
The entrance
Interestingly, the entrance of the W Budapest isn’t along Andrássy Avenue. Instead, it’s located on Hajos utca, a quaint street just off Andrássy.
The entrance and hallway leading up to the reception and ‘living room’ courtyard are lit with gold, warm light, and double-skin walls, which are also present in many parts of the hotel.
This design element showcases the duality of old and new, Buda and Pest.
But this isn’t the only purpose of the “second skin.” The ornate freestanding installations were placed within the hotel’s original hallways, which couldn’t be altered due to heritage protection rules.
The inner courtyard
If you’ve been inside a building in Hungary, you’ve probably already noticed the inner courtyards.
Drechsler Palace isn’t any different; it also has a foyer. The only difference is that this foyer is a little more impressive and has a glass roof that brings in natural light while creating more room for lounging.
The rooms
When it comes to the living quarters of the W Budapest, each room paints a unique and whimsical story.
The fifth floor mirrors a Scandinavian cabin with wooden floors and ceilings that span across some of the rooms.
There’s also a turquoise colored room with gold elements creating a strong, vibrant contrast. A lot of the rooms also have a gold mesh structure that wraps around the bed, never leaving the concept of the second skin too far behind.
Additionally, the bathrooms have a chess theme, attributed to the culture around the Szechenyi Baths in City Park. The monochrome checkerboard tiling is fitted with double sinks and lightbulb-framed Hollywood mirrors that pay tribute to Hungarian-American socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor.
The hotel features 151 rooms and suites, some overlooking the Opera and the others facing the inner streets surrounding the hotel.
The basement
But Zsa Zsa isn’t the only Hungarian star who’s inspired the design of the W Budapest Hotel.
Throughout the hotel, especially in the spa and restaurant, you can see mirrors on the ceilings that expand the size of the room, creating an infinite world.
Any guesses on who this infinite world could be connected to?
If you guessed Harry Houdini, you’re right! Born in Hungary and raised in the US, Houdini was a world-famous magician, and the hotel pays homage to his work through the use of mirrors.
In the W Budapest Hotel’s basement, you can visit the beautiful AwaySpa, a fully equipped fitness area, and Society25, the hotel’s speakeasy bar.
AwaySpa is open to guests of the hotel and even those not staying at the property. You can enjoy various treatments like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.
The cozy spa also has a small bar where you can order refreshments and bites during your time here.
W Budapest Hotel Restuarant | Nightingale by Beefbar
For dining at it’s finest, you can’t miss the hotel’s restaurant, which has to be the prettiest place to eat in Budapest.
It’s easily one of the most Instagrammable spots in Budapest. It also has an outdoor seating area right across from the opera. You can’t get views like this anywhere else in the city.
Depending on when you visit, you can enjoy the restaurant with soft melodies in the background or with a DJ performance.
TIP: Even if you don’t need to go, be sure to go to the bathroom near the restaurant. Just like the rest of the hotel, it’s truly an architectural masterpiece.
A stay at W Budapest
What makes W Budapest different from other luxury hotels in the city is the personalized experience that each guest receives.
No two guests receive the same recommendations; this extra level to the small details makes all the difference.
