PHOTOS: Swanky hotels in Budapest among the world’s best luxury accommodations

This is the 30th time that the Condé Nast Traveler compiled the annual Gold List of the best accommodations across the globe. The prestigious compilation is the result of rigorous research, and it’s no surprise that an upscale Budapest hotel has once again earned its place on the esteemed 2024 list.

The Gold List 2024

Condé Nast Traveler has unveiled the annual Gold List for 2024. The editors have spent hundreds of hours to find the most excellent hotels all around the world. This year’s list features an impressive 75 sumptuous resorts and hotels, spanning from the exotic Marrakech and Morocco to Indonesia’s Bawah Reserve and London’s Claridge’s. What unites these lavish retreats is not just luxury but a distinct uniqueness. It’s hardly surprising that the vibrant list includes the splendid Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest.

Hungarian hotel on the list

According to Világgazdaság, this is a great accomplishment, considering the Gold List 2024 features iconic places like Ireland’s Cashel Palace, a converted 18th-century castle where luminaries such as Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor once spent nights. However, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace in Budapest holds a special place in our hearts. First featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s list in 2020, this Budapest gem has garnered numerous accolades and graced the pages of various travel guides over the years. In 2024, it secured a spot on Forbes Travel Guide‘s list, achieving a five-star rating for the seventh time.

Forbes Travel Guide

The Forbes Travel Guide list for this year showcases several award-winning Hungarian establishments:

• Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace
• Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel
• Corinthia
• InterContinental
• Kempinski Hotel
• The Ritz-Carlton

While the latter two earned a four-star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, the others received a prestigious five-star review. In Forbes Travel Guide’s spring publication, Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace stood out as the only Hungarian winner in the spa category. Thibaut Drege, General Manager of the hotel, views this award as a testament to the staff’s dedication in providing unforgettable experiences and impeccable service.

Luxury hotels in Budapest

Budapest is now home to numerous luxury hotels. On Booking.com, the world’s largest booking portal, there are a total of 20 five-star options for those seeking accommodation in the Hungarian capital. Only two are situated on the Buda side—Hilton Budapest and Hotel Clark—while the majority can be found in the 5th and 6th Districts. With an increasing number of luxurious hotels emerging, each vies for prestigious awards and coveted spots on influential lists. In addition to the ambiance, the hotel staff also feature prominently in the reviews, and rightly so, as the quality of service and the kindness of the staff are key elements in crafting an exceptional guest experience.

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