Hungarian castle hotels bagging prize after prize
November has been a splendid month for Hungarian hotels, basking in the glow of numerous recent award ceremonies. Across the country, hotels are earning recognition for their exceptional contributions, and one standout is the Heritage Hotels of Europe, which appraises castle hotels throughout the continent.
Hungary is abound with castles, each brimming with historical richness and breathtaking views. It’s no surprise that hotels nestled within these architectural marvels rank among the finest in Europe.
This year marks the fourth edition of the Heritage Hotels of Europe awards, as reported by turizmus.com. The association was founded in 2017 with the goal to appreciate the legacy of these special hotels and express gratitude to those responsible for their preservation and splendour. It was brought into reality by the Austrian “Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser”, the Slovak “Historic Hotels of Slovakia” and the Hungarian “Magyar Kastélyszállodás Szövetsége”. Together, these entities represent the castle hotels of Europe and form the Heritage Hotels of Europe association .
The award ceremony
The prestigious award ceremony unfolded at the iconic Schloss Leopoldskron Hotel. If the name rings a bell, you can credit it to the timeless classic “The Sound of Music,” filmed at the Leopoldskron Hotel in 1964, which won five Oscars. This storied venue played host to the event where finalists were honoured with their well-deserved accolades.
Choosing the location wisely, Heritage Hotels held the ceremony at a place that truly radiates glory — Schloss Leopoldskron. The experienced jury committee bestowed awards in seven distinct categories, spanning hotels from 12 different countries. Guest reviews and the overall guest experience were integral to the evaluation. The categories included Design, Wellness, Gastronomy, Hospitality, Culture, Romance and Host of the Year. Hungarian hotels shone across multiple categories.
Our prize winners
In the Heritage and Hospitality category, touted as the most complex award, the silver medal was bestowed upon Hungary’s Prónay Castle in Alsópetény for its top-notch service and most coordinated staff. The third-place accolade in this category went to the equally impressive Andrássy Manor & Spa Hotel in Tarcal. Notably, the Andrássy Manor stood out by competing in multiple categories, achieving third place in both Hospitality and Wellness.
But the Hungarian success story doesn’t end there. In the Gastronomy category, the Andrássy Manor secured second place, sharing the podium with another Hungarian gem, the Gróf Degenfeld Castle Hotel in Tarcal. Adding a cherry on top, the Heritage and Design category was triumphantly claimed by the Botaniq Castle in Tura, near Gödöllő. The recent renovation of this castle, showcasing a splendid Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque style, left both the professional jury and guests dazzled.
Successes in Budapest
And there’s more to celebrate in Budapest! Jet2Holidays, a prominent UK tour operator, bestowed its Quality Awards upon hotels in the Hungarian capital, writes turizmus.com. These accolades, the “Quality Awards 2022”, which are marks of trustworthiness determined by guest rankings, were bestowed upon four Budapest nominees out of a total of 60 hotels. The Zeina hotel chain dominated, with the Continental Hotel, the Prestige Hotel and the Boutique Hotel all securing the prestigious accolade. Rounding off the quartet, the Hotel Moments Budapest also earned its place among the trustworthy establishments.