From Dusty Arcade to Five-Star Wonder
The Parisi Udvar Hotel in Budapest is what happens when you mix history, architecture and a lot of renovation money. Once a faded beauty, this grand building has been brought back to life with a makeover that took over four years and more than a few buckets of polish.
Originally opened in 1817 as a shopping arcade, the building was inspired by the Parisian covered passages. It was later rebuilt between 1909 and 1913 by the Central Savings Bank of Budapest. The result was a wild mix of styles. Think Moorish arches, Gothic details, Art Nouveau curves and enough stained glass to make a cathedral jealous.
The Long Road to Restoration
By the early 2000s, the building had seen better days. It had become a shadow of its former self, with only a few shops and a lot of dust. But in 2014, Mellow Mood Hotels stepped in with a plan to restore the place to its former glory. And then some.
The renovation took four and a half years and involved a small army of artisans, engineers and preservation experts. They cleaned, repaired and recreated every detail. Over 85,000 hours of work went into the project. That is a lot of time spent staring at tiles and polishing brass.
Services Fit for a Modern Monarch
The hotel reopened in 2019 as part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. It now offers 110 rooms, including 18 suites and two presidential suites. The rooms are a mix of modern comfort and old-world charm. You get marble bathrooms, remote-controlled curtains and beds that feel like clouds.
There is also a spa called Zafír, where you can unwind under vaulted ceilings. The fitness centre is open 24 hours, just in case you feel like lifting weights at 3am. And the concierge service is ready to help with everything from dinner reservations to finding that one ruin pub you forgot the name of.
Dining Under the Dome
The hotel’s restaurant and café sit under the famous glass dome. It is a space that looks like it was made for Instagram. The food is Hungarian with a twist, and the cocktails are as fancy as the ceiling above you. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, it is worth popping in for a drink just to stare at the architecture.
