Four Seasons Budapest Gresham Palace - Spring / Lent ‘ 19

100   Recommended
April 24, 2019 by EXPERT

 Map | 5 Reviews | 80% Recommended
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Four Seasons Gresham Palace
 Map | 5 Reviews | 80% Recommended

Save

Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

Preamble ; Trip preparations

 

Thought I had better start this & continue in phases as I am jet lagging but have to give credit to some including DavidO , LM225 , quite a few other FTers who have either posted or PMed . Last but not least , scented , who truly helped make this stay the most memorable part of lodgings on this 3 weeks trip .

Was finalising / making reservations for Budapest & Vienna in the throes of AMAN September cc authorisation ( eventually waived during trip ) fiasco and scented really helped smooth things for FS which I did not fully realise until we arrived !

We were on the Viking Danube cruise which had us stay at where we would not have both in Bucharest & Budapest ( both hotels were changed , till up to just before sail date ) so was getting increasingly concerned ..

Arrival

We were thankful to leave the first Budapest hotel with her ongoing renovations in the complimentary Viking MPV for the short ride to FS . Warmly welcomed at our early arrival by the Director of Guest Experience , Andrea Z , and other staff and shown the activities area and spa where we had an appointment after lunch .

Our corner suite was not ready but we were provided a resting room - another guest room - in the mean time where I think we did our check in .. or perhaps I was too busy talking with Peter B , the chief concierge , that I cannot recall now .

For a start , to complement LM225 ‘ photos , here are 2 night views from our suite

 

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In the day

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Room

 

We were upgraded to a corner river view suite . After rather cramped quarters , yes we were in a suite on the river but it is river long ship & not ocean , we were extremely appreciative of the luxurious space and other surprises scented prepared for us .

 

Entry , bathroom on the left & closet to the right

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Lovely delicious welcome treats from FTer friend !

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Beautiful crafted gingerbread cookies & Unicum by Zwack ( have any of you tried it ? ) from the GM 

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Looking up at night

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And in the day , like the intricate craftsmanship throughout this former palace 

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There did not seem to be a master switch so it took a bit of walking arto switch on or off the lights .

Bathroom

 

The bathroom was a decent size but only one vanity ! Also the shower could have been larger considering the space available . But with ancient buildings one just has to respect the various constraints ..

 

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Pleased to say they now have Omorovicsa especially formulated for FS :) instead of L’ Occitane . Some rooms have ACQUA Di PARMA

Dining

 

The elegant Lobby Lounge where the Herend afternoon tea is served .

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We were rather disappointed that we did not have time for their renowned afternoon tea served on Herend porcelain in the Lobby Lounge .

Mouthwatering welcome to KOLLÁZS

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However , we managed to dine in their only restaurant KOLLÁZS – BRASSERIE & BAR where we had our breakfasts which were definitely not good if anyone was doing a fast for Lent . The interesting buffet breakfast spread had a wide range of breads , some Hungarian specialties too besides the usual ‘ fare ‘ all rather eye catchingly presented , 

( No photos as stipulated )

After a rather mediocre breakfast pre arrival , a delicious pork schnitzel and also a very reasonable set lunch was thoroughly enjoyed . 

 

Gym , indoor pool and Spa

The Spa & activity area was on the 5 th / 6 th floors with access from the spa reception .

Rather small relaxation area by the swimming pool .

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The swimming pool as it was at times .. with treatment rooms just off out of sight in the photo

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The gym with portholes 

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We had different spa massages / treatments including the Hungarian mud therapy for myself . While they were alright , it was no comparison to ones at many AMANs , MOHK and others we have been to like at Chiva Som .

The treatment room we were in was not sound proof and should not have been by the pool ! We could hear screaming children who were playing by the pool during our more than 2 hours session .

Nevertheless , we were pleased to have this relaxing time after being on the go for 2 weeks .

 

Public areas

The public areas on the ground level are gorgeously grand . However , these photos do not put the area in the best light so one should go in person to appreciate .

Looking towards the reception from the entrance 

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Looking towards the entrance

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The wing to the right from the reception leads to a function room

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The opposite side is the Lobby Lounge 

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Towards the elevators / lifts

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Looking out at night with the Chain Bridge lit in the background 

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Lobby from the concierge area

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Note the Preciosa chandelier 

Concierge and Service

 

Second to none !

 

Communications with the concierge team began more than a month before arrival & they were prompt , even when I was not ..

They provided much & beyond which I requested and were intuitive . As I had mentioned it was our first time to Budapest / Hungary , they anticipated what I should had asked for but did not . Very patient too I might add .

The list of suggested activities was appreciated and extensive , rather mind boggling as I did not expect to have so much to explore ( Now many left to done on the next visit ) .

One of the first to reach out was Zoltan K . Peter B was very happy to assist probably relieved to have a break until our next stay ;)

He secured last minute requests like dinners at Baraka & the only restaurant in Hungary with a Michelin star - Onyx !

 

Concierge area during a rare quiet period . Bar beyond and another function room .

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All the areas or departments we enjoyed or liaised with were efficient & warm .

Housekeeping team who brought extra bottles of water , ice , clothes hangers , towels , etc , bell team helping with extra luggage racks , closing luggage , possibly other various odd requests , Spa - Virginia , Nora  , back of house , front of house including Andrea Z , the team at Kollazs especially Zsolt B , ..

 

Odds & ends ..

 

As I mentioned , we were provided a resting room when we arrived early 

it faced the interior overlooking the glass dome

 

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Had a console table facing the toilet unlike in the suite

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Another honeymoon suite 

 

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What a lovely sight & day for a marathon :)

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View from a corridor of the glass dome and bevelled frosted windows . Similar view also from the resting room .

Walking along the corridors was quite pleasant with the natural light filtering in and being able to peek at the glass ceiling of the lobby too .

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Other perspectives :

Beautiful facade .

Looking at our corner suite

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Some cars parked outside 

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Some other cars of regular local guests  ..

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Pleased that the free wifi worked well .

 

Departure :

As we decided to visit Vienna , going by road made sense rather than flying . 

We found out that FS has outsourced this service to a company who have dedicated a fleet of vehicles solely for their use !

The chauffeur and bell team did a magnificent job of fitting all our luggage into the BMW 7 L . Competent driving too , we were pleased to have him drive us for the almost 3 hours ride with a detour to Pann.

 

 

Location

 

Could not be better for us !

Walking distance to many indulgences whether edible or otherwise .

Those not within strolling distance were at least in view :) .. But for those marathoners , they would not have been an issue to reach .

What with the park in front , the Chain Bridge and Danube just beyond .

Overall

 

An all too brief but wonderful stay in one the most impressive historic hotel buildings I have stayed in ( Raffles is so much younger ) and what a view ! 

Thrilled that we extended our Budapest visit just to stay here .

Comfortable rooms / suites , decent AC , excellent warm service and considering the likely building restrictions , architecturally well restored . Hardware and software were in sync with her history as Gresham Palace .

We look forward to returning for a longer stay , perhaps after improvements are made to the spa area , and in another season ? Perhaps when the works on the Opera House , nearby Vörösmarty Square and surroundings are completed & when the CHRISTmas Markets are on :) 

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