Review of Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest

Combining Eastern mystique and old-world elegance, Budapest is a one-of-a-kind city that has inspired artists and travellers for centuries with its unique beauty, architecture, and vibrant cultural life. 

On the banks of the Danube River at the foot of the famous Chain Bridge, the equally unique Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest overlooks Széchenyi István Square and the Royal Palace (home of the Hungarian National Gallery). The gothic revival monument Hungarian Parliament Building, the upscale shopping of the tree-lined Andrassy Avenue and the striking Danubius Fountain of the famous Elizabeth Square are all steps away. St Stephen’s Basilica is about seven minutes away with Buda and the Castle District just across the bridge. 

Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD) is a 30-minute drive away, a distance of 24 kilometres.  

There is valet and self-parking available at the hotel.

Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest features 179 Art Deco inspired elegant guest rooms including 19 suites spread out over five floors. 

There are three categories of guest room – Danube River View Room (with views of the Danube, the Chain Bridge, the Buda Hills, the Royal Castle and the Fisherman’s Bastion), some with a step out balcony too, the Superior Room looking out on the courtyard, Zrinyi Street or Mérleg Street and the slightly larger Gresham Room. Amenities include marble bathrooms, a clock radio, an iPod docking station, a flatscreen satellite TV and DVD player, a complimentary newspaper, an in-room safe, a mini-bar, complimentary mineral water at turndown and a Nespresso coffee machine. 

The three styles of suite – the Park Suite, River View Park Suite and the Tower Suite – offer an abundance of space, with many able to be configured as a two- or three-bedroom suite, and elevated views over the Buda city skyline. 

The grandest suites however are among the finest in the city – the Chain Bridge Suite complete with dining area and complimentary airport transfers, the stunning, pale grey and blue-toned Sir Gresham Presidential Suite, the Buda Castle Presidential Suite with its expansive family-friendly space and elegant living room with a fireplace, a dining room and kitchen and the soft grey toned and grand Budapest Royal Suite with its original Art Deco furniture and balcony with panoramic views over the city.

The hotel’s Spa & Wellness area offers seven treatment rooms offering an array of treatments and therapies alongside other facilities such as a scented Finnish sauna, a steam room and a relaxation room. For the ultimate in pampering, try the exclusive Touch of the Earth spa treatment created by the spa’s own expert therapists using authentic Hungarian ingredients of lavender, grape seed oil, salt and Hungarian Moor Mud by Omorovicza.

There is also a stunning rooftop infinity-edge indoor lap pool and whirlpool overlooking the city with a 24/7 fitness centre with a wide range of cardiovascular and weight training equipment and free weights covering the entire top floor of the property. Complimentary fruit and juices are available alongside personal trainers as required. Off-site, a round of golf can be arranged around 30 minutes away and tennis around 15 minutes away.

With the River Danube right in front of the hotel, a popular activity is to take a private Venetian-style speedboat ride along its length, a glass of champagne in hand, to take in Budapest’s UNESCO world heritage sites. Alternatively take a more leisurely cruise in a Thetis Boat. 

This is the city of thermal spas made popular by the Romans in the first instance and the Turks in the Middle Ages, their legacy the hammams which are still in use today. Although land-locked, Hungary is still considered a country full of water from having the largest lake – Balaton - in Central Europe to thousands of hotel springs all over the country. Concierge can arrange fast-track entry vouchers to Budapest’s iconic geothermal spa baths such as the neo-baroque Szechenyi Baths, one of Europe’s largest thermal-bath complexes with 15 indoor baths and three grand outdoor pools.

Hungary is also known for its wine boasting over 22 different wine regions. Let the sommeliers at Kollázs do the legwork and arrange a wine tasting of four or more varieties. Concierge can also arrange a day trip to Etyek, a 35-minute drive away and the closest wine region on the Buda side.

The renovation of the Gresham Palace was in effect restoring the glory of the belle epoque, that magical moment in European history before the advent of WWI where the arts, architecture and culture flourished – the glory days of the Austro-Hungarian empire in effect. This Art Nouveau property saw a meticulous restoration and today enjoys glass ceilings, intricate ironwork gates, stained glass, beautiful floor mosaics and dramatic Preciosa chandeliers. There are also three print collections on display featuring the work of 20th century Hungarian artists. 

Some of the hotel’s outstanding features are a two-million-piece mosaic tile floor, a sweeping grand staircase, stained-glass floors, and a wrought iron elevator that have each been lovingly restored or replicated when preservation wasn’t possible. In the process of reconstruction, the hotel was also completely modernised, adding amenities including an indoor lap pool, spa, fitness facilities and all the latest internet and entertainment equipment. 

This restoration overseen by Four Seasons set the bar high, raising the standard for a property renovation and giving back a much-loved heritage building to the city. Combine that magical rejuvenation with the brand’s high service and operational standards and once again, you see a luxury property at the very top of its game.

The hotel features the all-day Dining Restaurant Kollázs Brasserie & Bar and Muzsa Bar & Lounge – Budapest’s first art nouveau luxury craft cocktail bar. 

The 1920s Belle Epoque vibe of Kollázs Brasserie & Bar is a welcoming entrée into the world of both Hungarian cuisine and their excellent wines and reflects the coffee house culture which blossomed in this era. Open throughout the day, Kollázs means collage in Hungarian and this theme is carried through the menus which features a range of international favourites, rotisserie items and Hungarian specialities – a satisfying mix of traditional and modern dishes. Enjoy live local musicians every Friday and Saturday night in the brasserie. 

The restaurant has also joined forces with photographic gallery LUMAS Budapest to design a special quarterly art programme to revive the artistic spirit of the Gresham Circle which a century ago used to meet at the Gresham Palace. This was where key figures of the Hungarian art scene frequently gathered – the ambiance giving rise to a creative atmosphere as well as the creation of several artworks. Today’s Gresham Circle will be drawn from the very best of the city’s creative talents. 

The design of Muzsa Bar & Lounge was undertaken by Richmond International taking inspiration from Budapest’s artistic 1910s and 20s, drawing on a palette of materials and colour combinations reflected in the secessionist interiors of the Gresham Palace. There is a central bar feature and a raised piano platform to evoke a sense of theatre in the bar area whilst the lobby is more intimate and discreet.

Muzsa is renowned for its Asian - Hungarian bar cuisine, cocktails and a wide range of premium Champagnes by the glass. Eighty percent of the wines are Hungarian, reflecting the high quality and history of the country’s 22 wine regions. The bar’s tasting room offers the largest publicly available vintage Tokaji Aszú collections in the world, hand-selected by Head Sommelier Gabor Becker. The oldest vintage Aszú available dates back to 1912. In Muzsa’s Treasury, a bottle of Royal Tokaji Eszencia, the most expensive wine in the world, is on display and available for sale. While guests enjoy the delightful wines or cocktails, they can order sophisticated bar food - expertly prepared Japanese recipes using only the finest local Hungarian ingredients.  

The bespoke chinaware has been created in collaboration with the expert artists of Herend, the world leader in porcelain making and is seen to good effect in the Afternoon Tea service enjoyed beneath a glass dome which features Hungarian savouries and gateaux. The bar also pays tribute to the timeless elegance of Hungarian craftsmanship with hand-crafted Varga Crystal glasses.

Four Seasons is actively engaging in sustainable practices and Four Seasons Hotel Budapest is committed to improve and elevate our environmental initiatives. One of the first steps was to eliminate plastic straws and single-use plastic, sourcing of 100% cage-free eggs, other activities include but are not limited to selective waste collection, carbon emissions tracking by switching to renewable energy sources and offering vegan and vegetarian menu items.