Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace ★★★★★

Budapest is the city of the moment, studded with trendy bars and cafes, and an underground art scene that’s quickly rising to the top. It’s a mysterious mix of old and new, dubbed the ‘Paris of the East’, where sophisticated décor mixes with urban charm. The city has been through a lot, battling with a war-torn history and the struggle of the Hungarian Empire – a narrative that threads throughout the Art Deco streets, Budapest remains true to its roots even with its shiny, modern buildings.

This blend of sultry past and hopeful glow of contemporary culture makes for a fascinating visit. Budapest is wrapped in layers that, at every turn, reveal an insight into the mystery of the city. One such layer I was looking forward to uncovering was the new, stylish accommodation of the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace, which soaks up every aspect of Budapest’s character – the grand exterior recalls the splendour of yesteryear with ornate pillars and elegant detailing, whilst the interior carves a pathway through the present day city with sleek colours and ambient lighting.

The building itself was commissioned by the Archduchess Klothilde Maria Amalie in 1899, when it was to become the Palace Klotild. In its early stages of life it exposed the extravagance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but was badly damaged during the war. Since then, it has been restored to its former beauty – further confirmation that Budapest won’t forget its roots anytime soon.

Flecked with the sharp silhouettes of Chinese dragons and backed with rich reds and golds, my room tapped into an Oriental dream – I’d stepped into another world entirely when I entered the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace. Noble Buddha heads sit proud on surfaces throughout the hotel whilst swirling, wrought iron staircases lead to unknown lands, and soft, low-slung sofas adorned with faded, floral patterns create a cosy scene.

I soon came to realise that the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace is much more than a hotel, it’s a lifestyle – a new concept, mystical in its atmosphere and unique in its dark-lit design. Offering all the comforts and services of a five-star hotel, it seduces its guests with a heady mix of elegance, charm, and quirkiness. Out on Budapest’s streets, the nouveau restaurants fuse with ancient sorrow and new, urban worlds. Inside the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace, the fusion continues in a combination of the colonial West and the modern-day East.

Its contemporary aesthetics go hand-in-hand with the high-end technology that runs throughout the hotel; from remote-controlled lighting and large, interactive televisions, to luxurious rain showers and heated toilets.

Though it might feel like worlds away from the present-day streets of Budapest, the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace is actually situated in a central location on the pedestrianised Váci utca in the 5th District, which is known for its diverse range of small eateries and fashion boutiques. Popular attractions that draw in tourists from all over the world are dotted around nearby; top-notch restaurants, hipster-esque Ruin Bars, an array of museums and monuments and, of course, the traditional hot springs and thermal baths that the city is so famous for.

After a day exploring the layers of mysterious Budapest, I relaxed in the in-house Buddhattitude Spa with its collection of wellness facilities and services, before enjoying a drink to the sound of the resident Buddha-Bar DJ in the Buddha-Bar Lounge.

Old and new, mysterious yet wildly open, grand and poor, Budapest is an edgy, fascinating destination – and I can easily see why it’s trending at the moment. From the sorrowful backstory to the fashionable shops, bars, and cafes, it’s clear to see that the city is a labyrinth of stories and, with its Oriental themed decor and unique glimpse into another world, the Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace is every bit a part of that story.