Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest

Luxury comes with a modern twist at this design-conscious hotel. The soaring glass façade floods the circular lobby with light. Two large backlit wall panels shoot up to the ceiling, spanning out like wings from two pillars at the top. Meanwhile, the dark marble floor and deep earth-toned accents are a contemporary contrast from the 19th-century elegance of the similarly priced Le Meridien next door. The hotel has a retro Art Deco-inspired style, with geometric designs on the brown wood room doors, mirrored elevators, and a black and gold vine leaf carpet. Art is also a focus, and a small art gallery showcases works from Hungarian artists -- pieces are also on display around the hotel's hallways and public spaces. 

Despite being in the heart of the city, the hotel remains serene and discreet. Numerous celebrities have stayed here; in fact, Michael Jackson was such a fan of the place that his fans dedicated a tree to him across the street from the hotel. 

The hotel’s glass and block exterior stands out from the 19th-century buildings around it. Its location across from Erzsebet park is a good fit; the green-space doubles as a design hub, housing fashion and art exhibits at the Design Terminal, a monthly design market, and the Budapest Eye, an enormous Ferris wheel. The hotel backs up to Fashion Street, a car-free strip with designer clothing stores such as Tommy Hilfiger and RayBan, and outdoor cafes in the warm months. The hotel’s inner city location makes it a good base for exploring on foot; top sights like Vaci Street, the iconic Chain Bridge, and the Danube are a 10-minute walk away. The only thing that stands between the Kempinski hotel and the metro one block away is the Le Meridien Hotel, which shares the same park view at comparable prices. Travelers who want to be closer to the river should consider the Four Seasons or InterContinental -- the former costs significantly more than the Kempinski; the latter is priced comparably.

The lobby’s sophisticated dark stone, muted upholstery, and sleek glass-walled vibe doesn’t continue into the hotel rooms. Instead, the rooms have a slightly more traditional feel, and some elements even look a little dated for an advertised five-star property. They are spacious, however, and have textured off-white walls, a light beige-and-black carpet, a heavy focus on mahogany-colored wood furniture, headboards that mirror the hotel’s Art Deco designs,  and either black and gold or sea-foam green wall accents. Beds come in twin, double, or king size; the larger sizes feature two smaller mattresses pushed together to form one. Travelers can choose a pillow from eight different varieties on the pillow menu. Minibars are provided, but not all rooms have coffee- and tea-making facilities. The bathrooms add a pop of luxury, with shiny marble walls and floors, steel finishes, and separate bath and toilet areas; all but the Superior Rooms have separate showers and tubs (Superior Rooms have showers or tubs). 

Rooms on the park side of the fifth floor have nice views and are a little quieter -- they also offer an outlook over the Budapest Eye ferris wheel when it is set up during warmer months. However, if a room with a view is your top priority, consider the Four Seasons or the Intercontinental, both of which sit on the Danube River.

In a city that prizes its baths, the hotel’s pool and spa don’t disappoint. The low ceilings and white, copper and cerulean tiles create an intimate space reminiscent of a hammam (but with city views from the window). But as pools and spas come standard among similar luxury properties in Budapest, it’s the Kempinski’s more subtle features that make it stand out. The hotel’s dedication to contemporary Hungarian art is displayed in a small gallery and throughout the public spaces. The property is also home to the only Nobu restaurant in Central Europe, plus the Hungarian-Viennese Es Bisztro, a cozy fireplace-warmed Living Room lounge, and the Blue Fox, which serves classic cocktails with a local twist. As gastronomic hot spots, the restaurants here come with a price --  dining at the hotel is not a cheap affair.