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The Drechsler Palace has had many lives - luxury apartments, a grand café, a bowling alley, headquarters of the Hungarian Ballet Institute, and more. W Budapest is its latest incarnation, sitting on UNESCO-listed Andrássy Avenue directly opposite the ornate State Opera House. The neo-renaissance bones of the building (soaring arches, stained glass, a spectacular glass-ceilinged courtyard) have been restored and layered with a cool contemporary palette of forest greens and moody blues. Worlds away from the W collection’s flashier outposts.
Rooms are all slightly different; ask for one front-facing, and the Opera House fills your window. Fifth-floor suites gain warmth from sloping ceilings and amber accents, while the WOW suites dazzle with circular beds.
Downstairs, Society25 is a speakeasy accessed through a bathroom mirror, cocktails representing eras of Budapest's history. Le Petit Beefbar handles the main dining - Parisian brasserie meets global street food, with steak-frites, Unagi salmon and indulgent croquettes. In season, the outdoor terrace is the finest place in the city for a nightcap, with its Opera House views. The Away Spa is the highlight: a beguiling hall of mirrors encasing a sauna, steam room and warm dipping pool, inspired by Houdini's illusions, and overlooked by LED displays of twirling ballerinas. In a city that takes its thermal baths seriously, this one’s very special indeed.
Theatre
Total relaxation
Local exploring
Local markets
Other Activities
Hotel Entertainment
Pet friendly
Downtown
Gourmet
Romantic
Full of character
Opulent
Spa
Restaurant
Historic
Gym
5* Luxury
Disabled access
Views
Luxury
Rooms
151 rooms in this hotelPet friendly
Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicableAirport transfer
Additional charges applyBusiness Centre
Safe
Bar
Walking distance restaurants
Sauna/Steam
Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
Meeting Room
Massage
Suites
Spa
Restaurant
Gym
Room service
Disabled access
Hot Tub
Concierge
Satellite / Cable TV
Wifi
Theatre
Local markets
Other Activities
Hotel Entertainment
Inside one of the W brand's most impressive hotels to date, a grand property opposite the Hungarian State Opera
Originally published by Conde Nast
W Hotels' first foray into Eastern Europe has been a long time coming, but securing the Neo-Gothic Drechsler Palace, former home of the Institute of Ballet, was worth the wait. This dramatic building has been given a playful, contemporary and considered renovation, providing an excellent base from which to explore Budapest.
Originally published by The Telegraph
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