Four Seasons Hotel Budapest now open
June 21 2004 - 9:12AM
PR Newswire (US)
Four Seasons Hotel Budapest now open Restored Art Nouveau Palace
Sets Stage for Unique Travel Experience TORONTO, June 21
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is
pleased to announce the opening of its first property in Hungary,
in the historic Gresham Palace on the banks of the Danube River in
Budapest. Located at the foot of the Chain Bridge, the property is
the rebirth of a century-old palace, acclaimed as one of the
world's finest Art Nouveau buildings. After a $110-million
restoration, the 179-room Hotel is a prominent landmark in the city
that combines the luxurious comforts of the 21st century with the
meticulous craftsmanship of yesteryear. A spa and fitness centre,
an indoor pool, two restaurants plus bar and lounge, and meeting
space round out the guest experience. "Four Seasons Hotel Gresham
Palace Budapest is a significant addition to our growing portfolio
of distinctive European properties," said Wolf Hengst, president
worldwide hotel operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
"Guests of the Hotel will experience the art and culture of
Budapest from a luxurious home base, with the best location in the
city." From its birth in 1906, the Gresham Palace has intrigued
residents and visitors alike for its magnificence as one of the
world's finest Art Nouveau/Secessionist structures. Originally
built as the lavish head office of the Gresham Life Assurance
Company, in the early days, the building was also a prestigious
residence for aristocracy. Following the war and throughout the
Communist era, the building gradually fell into disrepair, but it
got a new lease on life in the late 1990's when Four Seasons agreed
to participate in the restoration and conversion to a luxury hotel.
In addition to the history and architecture of the building, Four
Seasons welcomes guests to enjoy modern spa treatments in a country
renowned for its rich spa heritage. The Hotel features a 12 m
(39-foot) infinity-edge lap pool as well as massage and treatment
rooms, sauna, whirlpool, steam rooms and exercise room. Four
Seasons staff has been working closely with local food producers
and wineries to develop a unique dining experience that ranges from
light Italian cuisine to new interpretations of traditional
Hungarian dishes, served in an elegant Art Nouveau setting. Sure to
be a favourite meeting place of local residents and travellers
alike, the Hotel can also accommodate meetings and special events
for up to 100 people. With the opening of the Budapest Hotel, the
Four Seasons European collection will include 10 properties.
Multi-destination packages will combine Four Seasons properties in
Budapest with nearby Prague and Berlin. With a history spanning
four decades and a portfolio that extends worldwide, Four Seasons
Hotels and Resorts is the world's leading operator of luxury
hotels, currently managing 62 properties in 29 countries. Earlier
this year, the company opened its first resort in Costa Rica, and
its first European resort at Terre Blanche in Provence. Four
Seasons continues to be the most honoured luxury hotel company in
the world, expanding its brand to exciting new destinations around
the globe. The company's second mountain resort opens this summer
in Whistler, Canada, site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Later
this year, Four Seasons will open new properties in Langkawi,
Malaysia and Hampshire, England. Information on the company and its
43 years of achievement in the hospitality industry can be accessed
through the Four Seasons Web site at http://www.fourseasons.com/.
DATASOURCE: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts CONTACT: Nicola Blazier
or Aynsley Wintrip, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, (416)
449-1750, , ; Gayle Conran or Jenny Matrosovs, Conran PRCo, (212)
481-3853, ,
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