It’s ironic that one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at, is probably one of the hotels I’ve shared the least about. Why exactly? Maybe it’s because I wanted to keep it a secret, or maybe it’s because I spent entirely too much time in my room, enjoying the amenities (read: extremely over-sized & fluffy bed), then actually documenting my experience.
Enter the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. Even saying the name sounds extremely fancy. When Travel and Leisure named it “One of the Best Hotels in the World,” I knew I had to get my own opinion.
In summary, it is one of the most beautiful & luxurious (with a fascinating history) hotels I’ve ever stayed in. The Four Seasons brand always manages to blow me away by their customer service, but this was next level. From restaurant recommendations, to laughing WITH US when we forgot what room we were staying in, my only true complaint is that we did not stay long enough.
The lobby looks right out a movie — in fact, you’ll feel as if you are walking through a real palace. The check-in table is located underneath a Preciosa chandelier, and is framed by an ornate dome. Once you are shown to your room, I recommend grabbing a drink (and some small snacks) at the hotel bar to take in the ambiance.
The Room
One of my favorite parts of the hotel is the view from the room. While booking your stay, you have an option to upgrade your room to be facing the Danube River. I would 1000000% recommend this option. From your room you will able to see the Danube River, the chain bridge and the famous Royal Castle. You’ll be able to do some major sightseeing in Budapest without ever leaving your room. At night, it is absolutely romantic — the bridge and castle are all lit up with lights– a perfect view to pair with a glass of wine 🙂
The Experience
The concierge service was next level. Before arriving in Budapest (I hate to admit this), my husband and I did little-to-no research. When you find yourself in this predicament, it’s nice to know that you have a team to help you plan. Fifteen minutes after visiting the concierge desk, we walked away with CONFIRMED reservations and a game plan for our time in the city.
You’ll find yourself walking outside QUITE a bit in Budapest, so it’s always a significant perk when a hotel has an incredible spa/fitness area. I highly recommend making a trip to the top floor to enjoy the spa & pool. My husband even found himself making a trip (or two). The pool is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, which is quite the juxtaposition to the older, darker side of Budapest.
I hope to find myself in Budapest again, and even more, I hope to find myself staying another night at the Gresham Palace. While the hotel is on the pricier side, it’s an experience in itself. If you find the weather on the bad side, start to feel a little tired, or just need to relax, you could easily spend a day in the hotel without ever leaving. However, as comfortable as the bed may be — Budapest is a city not to be missed.
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