The regal Matild Palace opens in Budapest

The Luxury Collection’s latest hotel has launched following a five-year transformation led by interior designer Maria Vafiadis of MKV Design and local architects Péter Dajka and Puhl Antal.

The regal Matild Palace opens in Budapest

by | 11 Jul 2021 | Design

The Luxury Collection’s latest hotel has launched following a five-year transformation led by interior designer Maria Vafiadis of MKV Design and local architects Péter Dajka and Puhl Antal.

Giving a grandiose imperial palace a whole new lease of life, Matild Palace combines regal luxury with local history and exciting gastronomy masterminded by renowned chef Wolfgang Puck.

The transformation of a palace

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, has debuted in Hungary with the introduction of Matild Palace, owned by Özyer Group. This one-of-a-kind property was built 120 years ago in the belle époque and underwent a meticulous five-year transformation programme before opening as a 130-key hotel.

The revamp was led by award-winning interior designer Maria Vafiadis, founder of MKV Design, and acclaimed local architects Péter Dajka and Puhl Antal. Vafiadis ensured the hotel honoured the history of the building, which was developed under the patronage of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Maria Klotild of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as a social hub, through decor that pays tribute to the property’s heritage and location.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone moment in the growth of The Luxury Collection brand with the opening of Matild Palace, a hotel that will define the destination of Budapest,” said Philipp Weghmann, vice president and global brand leader of The Luxury Collection. “The property allows our guests to realise the fantasy of living within a royal palace, elevated with modern amenities and impeccable service, and we look forward to welcoming them as they discover this timeless and inspiring city.”

Locally inspired gastronomy

A notable draw for the hotel is its impressive gastronomic offering. Puck is overseeing all of the hotel’s dining operations; Matild Palace will also be the setting for the Hungarian debut of his legendary Beverly Hills establishment, Spago by Wolfgang Puck.

The chef will also oversee the culinary concept of rooftop bar The Duchess, opening next month; Matild Café & Cabaret, which is launching in September; and a secret liquor library. Both Spago and Matild Café & Cabaret are to have year-round outdoor dining, creating the city’s first ‘gastro street’.

These F&B outlets will be joined by 111 guestrooms and 19 suites, many boasting views of the Danube River and city, with room categories taking inspiration from both The Duchess’ lavish lifestyle and early 20th-century Budapest.

Handcrafted headboards and parquet floors celebrate Hungarian style and a colour palette of teal, green, gold and copper reference the city’s rooftops. Located at the rooftop of the property, meanwhile, the Loft Guestrooms provide panoramic views.

The Crown Tower Suite is split across three floors and comes with a tower commanding 360-degree views over the city. The Maria Klotid Royal Suite then epitomises regal elegance as a modern interpretation of the Duchess’s private suite.

Wellness facilities here consist of the Hungarian-inspired Swan Spa, offering traditional thermal therapy and hammam rituals, as well as treatments using ESPA products, and the property incorporates a range of event spaces featuring the latest audio-visual equipment and culinary direction from Puck.

Related Articles

Hyatt Regency Cambridge new renovation by Campbell House

Hyatt Regency Cambridge new renovation by Campbell House

The design takes cues from the traditional, scholarly atmosphere of the nearby universities and combines this aesthetic with industrial details and eclectic furniture to create a playful environment for students, business travelers, and families alike.   Situated on...

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Virgin Hotels previews second UK site

Imagery courtesy of Virgin Hotels. Virgin Hotels has given a sneak peek at its upcoming Glasgow development ahead of its opening in December this year. Virgin Hotels Glasgow is the second site for the brand in the UK and will feature 240 Chambers spanning across 15...

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Six Senses to open highly anticipated Swiss resort this December

Imagery © Six Senses. Six Senses Crans-Montana is on track for making its debut, just in time for the 2022-23 winter season, at the end of the year. The year-round slope-side property promises to combine vitality, serenity and adventure in a space featuring luxury...

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Design concept: Shiroiya Hotel

Imagery © Katsumasa Tanaka. This week’s TOPHOTELDESIGN exclusive places the focus on industrial-chic Shiroiya Hotel featuring a man-made grassy hill. The 2020-completed hotel in Japan is the result of a collaborative design effort between several architecture and...

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Boutique brand rebuilds historic houses for Japanese luxury resort

Imagery courtesy of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts is relocating 19th century traditional kominka Japanese houses for a new luxury resort in Hokkaido. The Pavilions Niseko Resort will launch in Q4 2024, and the build includes...

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

Design showcase: Top 5 corridor designs

This week’s collaboration with TOPHOTELDESIGN highlights the hotel hallways which make moving from one area to the next a fascinating exploration. We have chosen five properties which focus on the journey as well as the destination. These corridors not only lead to...

ABOUT THE CHAIN

The Luxury Collection is a group of unique hotels and resorts offering exceptional service to an elite clientele.

RELATED ARTICLES