Budapest has the feel of a European city still grappling with its complex history. Once the bustling cultural and economic capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the city was severely damaged during World War II and endured decades of Communist rule until 1989.
Since then, Budapest has been creating its own identity as a vibrant, youthful eastern European city. If you’re visiting to explore the beautiful Baroque riverside palace and taste the city’s best goulash, stay at the Anantara New York Palace to immerse yourself in the opulent architecture and grandiose hospitality the city was once known for.
A Building Transformed
The imposing stone building that now houses the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel was originally built in 1894 as the New York Life Insurance Company’s European headquarters. The property has since been renovated with modern amenities and contemporary style, but it retains much of its opulent turn-of-the-century architectural flair inside and out.
The hotel’s most well-known restaurant, The New York Cafe, was a gathering place for artists and intellectuals in its early years. It then became a refuge for soldiers during the war. The cafe closed under communism, but the hotel and cafe both reopened in 2006 following a fresh wave of investment that restored the building inside and out to its previous grandeur.
Staying at the New York Palace Hotel
The hotel has 186 suites and guest rooms outfitted with luxurious touches, including plush seating areas and spacious marble bathrooms. The Anantara Spa is a cozy, cave-like space with an indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms. Spa offerings include massages, facials, and body treatments. There’s also a compact gym on the property with new TechnoGym equipment.
The hotel is located centrally in the former arts district of Budapest, on the Pest side of the Daunabe. The area is youthful and full of bars and coffee shops, including the New York Cafe, which has a constant line down the block. The main tourist destinations, including the Buda Palace and Fisherman’s Wharf are a scenic walk away.
Dining Options
Most visitors to the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel line up to dine at the iconically ornate New York Cafe–like seriously ornate; guests can sip on a 24-carat gold cappuccino at brunch.
The cafe adjoins the hotel lobby. Its Italian Renaissance decor, with heavy marble columns and a frescoed ceiling, are darlings of social media. Brunch and afternoon tea are especially popular at the Cafe, and diners are regularly entertained by a string ensemble, which really puts a bow on the Old World experience.
Fortunately, the food is not an afterthought here. The pastries are delicate and not too sweet, the bread is fresh and comes with a variety of sweet and savory spreads, and the hearty Hungarian entrees prove that comfort food can be elegant.
I also recommend a drink at the hotel’s Poet Bar, a dark wood-paneled hideaway off the lobby with a fun and interesting cocktail list, including non-alcoholic options.
The hotel breakfast is a great choice for starting your day of sight-seing. It includes an expansive buffet of smoked fish, freshly baked bread, seasonal fruit, cheese and charcuterie, plus an ala carte menu of hot dishes.
The Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel is a wonderful place to experience the breath of the city’s history while enjoying authentic cuisine and more than a touch of luxury.
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