Hilton Budapest, a Symbol of the Capital’s Landscape
The Flagship of the Danubius Hotel Chain Lights 30Candles
It was exactly thirty years ago on January 1, 1977 that the Budapest Hilton, the first five-star hotel in Hungary, opened its doors as part of the Danubius chain. The unconventional building designed by Béla Pintér divided the Budapest public at first, now the building has become an integral part of Budapest’s panorama and a pride of the city’s residents. Before construction had started, a four-year archaeological excavation project had taken place, which uncovered the remains of a 13th century Dominican monastery. Its walls and other remains have been organically incorporated into the interior of the hotel. The nave of the former church is now known as the Dominican Garden, which hosts concerts and theatre performances on summer nights.
The Hilton boasts an exceptional ambiance and unique hospitality. It is superbly located in the Buda Castle Quarter, beside the Matthias Church and surrounded by numerous historic monuments including the Fishermen’s Bastion and, yet, it is close to the city centre. With this setting and ambiance, it is no wonder that Hilton Budapest has hosted a number of famous guests from all over the world, many of whom are regular guests. Leading politicians, suchas Margaret Thatcher, Vaclav Havel and Francois Mitterrand, stayed at Hilton Budapest while in office. Famous musicians, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Carlos Santana and B.B. King, the actors Catherine Deneuve, Roger Moore and Robert Redford, and sportspeople Pelé, Michel Platini, and the entire Argentinan national soccer team, have been among the hotel’s pampered guests. The Duke of Kent, the Grand Duke of Luxemburg and the Gustav Adolf, King of Sweden, have also stayed in the luxury hotel which offers the most magnificent view of the city.
Entertainment and catering in Budapest have changed enormously in the last twenty years, and hotel services have changed in line with them. Thirty years ago, there were practically no exclusive restaurants in Budapest, today there are quite a few all over the city. When it opened, the Hilton Budapest operated as many as seven restaurants and bars, which is not needed anymore. Currently, the hotel runs two restaurants, a bar and a wine cellar. All hotel services have been tailored to client needs: besides a ball room accommodating 660 people, the hotel has 21 halls and conference rooms of various capacities, equipped with the latest technology to host conferences and a variety of events.
Hilton Budapest offers 299 refurbished and spacious hotel rooms and 23 beautifully furnished suits. The rooms are equipped with three ISDN telephone lines each, wireless (WiFi) Internet access, an answering machine, PC connection, a bathroom with bathrobes, a radio, and interactive television set with satellite channels and pay-per-view programmes. Additionally, a minibar, a safe, as well as coffee and tea facilities make guests feel at home.
Hilton Guest Plus rooms offer an exceptional view of the city. Hilton Executive and Executive Plus rooms are made even more comfortable by offering more floor space and a special bathroom fitted with tub and a shower cabin. Guests on the Executive floor are offered continental buffet breakfast, snacks and drinks free of charge in the Club’s bar, with a wide range of Hungarian and international newspapers and magazines.
The Corvina Restaurant overlooks the cosy streets of the Buda Castle, and offers an abundant buffet “Hilton Breakfast,” as well as a broad range of light dishes including international and Hungarian cuisine, fresh salads and delicious desserts. Between 12.00 noon and 15.00 on weekdays, the restaurant offers a rich buffet lunch with international delicacies. The Dominican Restaurant is an elegant restaurant with the finest view of all of Budapest; it too offers the best of Hungarian and international cuisine. At the end of a long day spent sightseeing or at business meetings, the best place to relax is the Lobby Bar, enjoying soft music, a drink or a snack. The magnificent view of the Dominican Garden makes these moments of relaxation even more enjoyable. The Faust Wine Cellar recalls the atmosphere of the early times when Dominican monks made their delicious wines in this very cellar. The wine cellar offers the wines of great Hungarian and European vineyards, complemented by a delicious selection of dishes.
