Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, have just opened Kimpton BEM Budapest.

Designed by Marcel Wanders, Kimpton BEM Budapest honours Hungarian folklore while celebrating the city’s modern vitality, featuring elegantly appointed guest rooms, and three innovative gastronomic concepts.

Transformed from a historic 19th-century mansion to a 127-room hotel, Kimpton BEM Budapest is nestled along the banks of the Danube River on the city’s picturesque Buda side near the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Castle District.

The hotel benefits from unrivalled proximity to Budapest’s most sought-after attractions, including the Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church and Chain Bridge alongside a lively culinary scene.

Renowned for their therapeutic benefits dating back to the 16th century, Budapest’s legendary Turkish baths sit nearby and serve as a tribute to the city’s art of leisure and commitment to wellness.

Design

Kimpton BEM Budapest bears the signature of renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, known internationally for his unconventional and imaginative design philosophy.

The hotel’s design borrows from Budapest’s rich folklore and vibrant energy, melding whimsical accents with historical elements.

Reception desks are shaped as upside-down eggs reflecting Wanders’ fondness of the shape, complemented by decorative books, collectibles, and treasures from around the globe intended to exude a welcoming atmosphere.

Enchanting patterns throughout the hotel pay homage to unique Hungarian mythological creatures and native flora, such as illustrations of poppies and tulips.

Spaces feature a serene palette of ‘cool’ colours contrasted with striking architectural textures and elements, such as a central glass atrium housing a Golden Stag, concaved ceilings, and lush greenery, transporting visitors to a fairy-tale-like realm.

For designer Marcel Wanders, storytelling and guest experience are paramount.

Wanders is unique and eccentric, he is the co-founder and owner of lifestyle brand Moooi, and is behind more than 1,900 iconic products and interior design experiences around the world.

All of the interior design elements at Kimpton BEM Budapest convey storytelling through the materials, finishes, colour themes, graphics, FF&E, and discovery.

Marcel Wanders sought out local suppliers to celebrate Hungarian craftmanship and skills, working with high quality materials and finishes to ensure a lasting design, reduce waste, and facilitate easy refurbishments.

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“Sometimes when I think of design and interiors, and I trash the ignorant, the unthoughtful, the lazy and the tired use of white walls and under-inspired minimalism, I hallucinate and dream of a world, a design, a philosophy that truly builds on love, that builds on creativity, that builds on fantasy, and when I fail to explain my pain and try to express the urgency of my vision, I will proclaim vigorously that every square centimetre deserves our love, that every square centimetre deserves our thought, that every square centimetre should be kissed and deserves our attention, that large and little, pink and yellow, empty and full are sisters, that cannot live without each other’s love, that the divine is in the creation of new unseen, unexperienced, remarkable and inspiring relationships.”

– Marcel Wanders.

Rooms

The 127 guest rooms are typical of Kimpton hotels, and feature the usual Kimpton amenities, including luxurious bedding and walk-in showers.

Suites incorporate indulgent free-standing tubs and expansive balconies.

For those seeking a truly over-the-top stay in Budapest, the Cosmos and Observatory Suites are available, with the opportunity to adjoin for 120-square-meters of space, complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room and accompanying kitchenette.

The Observatory Suite notably boasts a connecting 82-square-meter private furnished rooftop terrace primed for stargazing and private gatherings.

Dining

The hotel has three distinct dining venues, including a chef-driven signature restaurant, a verdant rooftop bar and sky-high garden, and an all-day lobby-level bar and restaurant.

Its signature AGOS restaurant at the helm of Executive Chef Attila Feher presents an innovative gastronomic journey through the Mediterranean with Hungarian flair.

The rooftop-level Fennen is a hidden gem nestled above the urban landscape.

Here, guests may relish in shared conversation within its lush garden accompanied by Cuban cigars, aged rum and Japanese whiskey.

At the ground level, Bar Huso is inspired by the legend of Huso Huso, the beluga sturgeon – a mystical denizen of the Danube – and is distinguished by an exceptional array of Hungarian and international wines.

Kimpton BEM Budapest is also home to an array of venues fit for both large and intimate events, including the Turul Chamber, Golden Stag Corner, M.W. Salon, an homage to Marcel Wanders, and the grand BEM Ballroom, the latter of which can accommodate up to 120 guests.

Additionally, the hotel features a dedicated wellness area complete with a 24/7 fitness centre, hot tub, and steam room.

Interestingly, for a city hotel, Kimpton BEM Budapest includes a pet-friendly policy, extending a warm welcome to “all animals that comfortably fit in the elevators.”

The mind boggles!

Pets receive pet-bed loaners, food, water bowls and mats, and a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly destinations.

Kimpton BEM Budapest

(Image Credits: Kimpton BEM Budapest / IHG / Jancsó Gergely / Greg Images)