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LONDON, JUNE 2023: W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, is set to redefine the hospitality scene in Budapest this July with the opening of W Budapest. Ahead of its anticipated opening, W Budapest unveils the physical, historical and social inspirations for the compelling design of the hotel. Housed in the iconic Drechsler Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Andrássy Avenue, the ornate building has been both carefully restored and transformed by interior designers Bowler James Brindley (London) and Bánáti + Hartvig (Hungary), who drew inspiration from the palace’s rich cultural history and multiple identities as a café, social hub and Hungarian State Ballet Academy .

Following on the heels of the opening of W Rome in 2021, W Budapest showcases the continued evolution of W Hotels design direction, creating a modern, inviting, unexpected and sophisticated setting for the next generation of luxury travellers. The soon-to-open hotel will offer 151 stylish guestrooms and suites, including the exceptional Extreme WOW - W’s take on the Presidential Suite, as well as a destination bar, restaurant, W Lounge and AWAY Spa – all influenced by Budapest's rich history, creativity and diversity.

“The arrival of W Hotels in Budapest will offer an unexpected, captivating hotel experience and an exciting next chapter for the iconic Drechsler Palace,” said Jenni Benzaquen, SVP Europe, Middle East and Africa Brand Portfolio at Marriott International. “As the W Hotels brand continues to evolve, we have leaned into sophisticated design principles while playing up the balance between modernity, and as always with W Hotels – a playful touch.”

A Tale of Two Cities

The design of the hotel brings together the two sides of the city, Buda and Pest, celebrating the rich heritage of both while playing with the juxtaposition. This has inspired a ‘second skin’ design narrative for the new hotel, which creates an intriguing interplay between materials in every location. From soft layering and alluring oversized archways to the use of metallic meshing to create depth and intrigue in the bedrooms, the second skin aesthetic creates spaces that reveal new depths each time you experience them.

Throughout the process of transforming Drechsler Palace into W Budapest, the iconic building provided many precious features that the new design embraces and celebrates. The enchanting inner courtyard, at the heart of the building, is newly enclosed by a delicate, veil-like glass roof to protect the space from the elements, creating an intimate courtyard. The fifth floor’s unique wooden-centric design is sympathetic to the Palace’s original roof design that has been restored. Finally, a speakeasy breathes new life into the Palace’s underground bar, paying homage to the eclectic characters and socialites that frequented the space in its past life.    

A Spa of Secrets

The Houdini-inspired illusion comes to life at W Budapest’s AWAY SPA, where mirrors and water features create a feeling of never-ending space and serenity. Hidden doors lead to secret spaces, where guests can seek solace from the bustling city and enjoy moments of calm and relaxation. A lounge takes centre stage, inspired by the thermal baths that Budapest is famed for, shrouded in traditional tiles and gold mesh, fusing the traditional historic side of the city with the modernity of W Hotels in one aesthetic.

A History Ripe with Inspiration

The Loire Valley inspired French Renaissance architectural aesthetic will feature throughout the reimagined hotel, mirroring icons from the city such as the Hungarian State Opera House, the Széchenyi Baths and neighbouring buildings on Andrássy Avenue. This grand aesthetic has been playfully modernised within the hotel, which features stained glass and a rich colour palette of green, coral and deep blues, alongside a contemporary twist on Zsolnay tiles, jewellery inspired light fittings and decorative motifs.

“When we started the project, we were presented with a rich feast of inspirations from which the various narratives were born. One of which was Hungary’s famous exports, Harry Houdini, and his life’s work inspired our ‘grand illusion’ design narrative. We have used mirrors in creative ways throughout the hotel to create optical illusions on ceilings, walls and floors, allowing Harry Houdini’s legacy to live on through W Budapest’s illusionary aesthetic,” said Bowler James Brindley. “Zsa Zsa Gabor, another celebrated Hungarian who was at the vanguard of introducing European sophistication to Hollywood in the 1940s, has also been celebrated through playful touches of retro glamour.” 

For over two centuries ballet has been an integral part of Hungary’s cultural scene, with the hotel once housing the State Ballet Institute and the Hungarian Dance Academy. The interior subtly celebrates the iconic dance through soft pink hues, curved lines, and impressive lighting installations, inspired by the graceful fluidity of the dance. The ‘ballet etoile’ aesthetic is celebrated in the all-black Extreme WOW suite and all-white WOW suite, taking inspiration from the famous ballet Swan Lake.

A Social Hub for a Hedonist’s City

Budapest offers an array of distinctive activities, mixing those that have been passed down through generations with new burgeoning trends to create a vibrant and eclectic social scene. In particular, the hotel nods to the city’s famous love of chess throughout its ‘Budapest Gambit’ inspired design. Chequer board patterns make unexpected appearances, including monochrome tiled marble flooring, a chess board inspired ceiling mirror in the W Lounge, guestrooms that feature black and white tiled walls and recesses, and lamps that emulate chess pieces to bring soft lighting throughout the hotel. This is complemented by odes to Budapest’s café culture where locals start with coffee and stay for cocktails with dining areas in Nightingale, the hotel’s destination restaurant, mixing blue tones with metallic accents and café-style seating to create a sense of intimacy.

Unexpected Artwork

Artwork throughout the hotel that sparks conversations and connections has been created by Adam Ellis Studio. Blending both interiors and ambiance, original wallpapers and framed pieces portray modern elegance, daring details and Hungarian influences. From a tapestry trio of Hungarian mythological creatures made from grass cloth to a welcome area dressed in green and gold metallic artwork detailing Houdini’s famed aviary of tropical birds, suspended from a chandelier chain; the hotel’s walls offer fresh perspectives that ignite curiosity.

The extreme WOW and WOW suites are adorned in a bespoke wallpaper that transports you to the adjacent Hungarian Opera House, visible from both rooms. Inspired by its grand ceiling fresco, the immersive space depicts scenes of Greek gods playing musical instruments and enjoying revelry, accented with delicate metallic touches. This modern feel extends into the suite bathrooms, where sea creatures shimmer through delicate aquatic botanicals. These ornate and intricate works are complemented by static framed art pieces in a monochrome palette, depicting all the accoutrements for ‘a night at the theatre’.  The Fantastic suites and guestrooms embrace the hotel’s Budapest Gambit design with colourful abstract artwork celebrating the city’s national game, alongside bold historical dream-like visions of the city.

To book now visit www.wbudapest.com and follow on Instagram for further pre-opening updates.

About W Hotels

Born from the bold, 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels has redefined hospitality for over two decades, breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With more than 60 hotels around the globe, the detail-driven design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing, signature Living Rooms create an experience that is often imitated but never matched. Dynamic and invigorating, the brand celebrates each travelers’ desire to uncover the destination through a lens that is distinctly W. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy^®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.