Mandarin Oriental to Operate Gellért Hotel After Renovation

The Gellért Hotel is tentatively planned to feature 143 guest rooms, including 38 suites, with timeless and elegant design by London interior design studio Alexander Waterworth Interiors Ltd. The original interiors were virtually destroyed during the war damage and subsequent reconstruction: the developer intends to reconstruct the four most iconic interiors - the Lobby, the Danube Room, the Music Room and the Tapestry Room - to their original splendor, based on surviving photographs and plans.

The aim of the investment, in addition to the complete renovation of the building, is to integrate new features that will contribute to broadening the range and improving the quality of the services available, bringing back the "golden age" of the building, complemented by 21st-century innovations and environmentally and energy-conscious elements.

"The Gellért Hotel is perhaps the most iconic building in Budapest, close to the hearts of most Hungarians. So as well as seeing it as an exciting real estate development project, we also have a huge responsibility to the building and its past, as well as to the people of Budapest. That is why it was of paramount importance for us to entrust the management of this building with such a long history to such a group of companies," said István Tiborcz, owner and president of BDPST Group.

"Mandarin Oriental, a luxury hotel brand with more than 60 years of experience, carefully blends this experience with the culture of the country, emphasizing unique design, and respecting the heritage and Hungarian roots of the Gellért Hotel. Saving and creating value has always been a priority for the group, so our goal is to restore the former glory of the Gellért Hotel, passing it on to future generations," he added.

Laurent Kleitman, CEO of Mandarin Oriental Group, notes, "We apply the same meticulous approach to the Gellért Hotel as we do to other historic properties we operate around the world: respectfully building on the local cultural heritage while integrating the highest contemporary comfort and sustainability standards."

"We are very excited to open our first hotel in the Hungarian capital and to be part of the rebirth of this legendary institution of true European fame, allowing future generations to create their own history and experience within these famous walls. The Gellért Hotel, together with our projects in Prague and recently announced Vienna, will form an unmistakable trio for our fans in Central Europe," he argues.

In addition to its Art Nouveau ambiance, its own spa, and its "Nothing is impossible at Hotel Gellért" attitude, the hotel will continue to place a strong emphasis on gastronomy. This is a tribute to the legacy of Károly Gundel, who ran the hotel's restaurant between 1927 and 1947. In the future, in addition to its wide range of wellness services, the Gellért Hotel will also have a unique indoor pool in the attic, under a retractable glass roof, a thermal pool, a cold plunge pool, and an outdoor lounge. It will also feature a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Pest side of the city and the Danube.