Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest
More photosPerched right at the foot of Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge, the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is a jaw-dropping masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. Originally completed in 1906, it wasn’t built as a hotel at all, but rather as a grand headquarters and luxury apartment complex for the London-based Gresham Life Assurance Company. It even featured quirky, cutting-edge 1900s tech like a central vacuum system that snaked through the entire property.
Local architects Zsigmond Quittner and the Vágó brothers designed the building during Hungary’s golden era, collaborating with the country’s finest craftspeople. Rumor has it that Quittner actually fell in love with a future resident of the palace and hid subtle heart motifs all throughout the building’s ironwork and elevator boards as a secret romantic tribute.
The building has survived an incredibly turbulent history. During World War II, Soviet soldiers used the palace as a military barracks, burning the elegant furniture for warmth, and the shockwaves from the destruction of the nearby Chain Bridge famously blew the property’s beautiful gates right off their hinges. After the war, the palace was nationalized under communist rule and slowly fell into a sad state of disrepair.
Thankfully, the building underwent a massive $85 million restoration before reopening as a Four Seasons. Artisans spent thousands of hours restoring the stunning stained-glass windows, mosaic tile floors, and the magnificent wrought-iron peacock gates at the main entrance, fully reviving one of the most stunning landmarks on the Danube.
Expert reviews
“With its two-million-piece mosaic tiled floor, 19th-century stained glass roof panels and intricate ironwork, the Four Seasons in Budapest is an art nouveau masterpiece. Rooms are spacious and luxe with vaulted ceilings and marble bathrooms”
“As one of the most beautiful hotels in Budapest, Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace is an art nouveau masterpiece on the banks for the Danube River. Facing the iconic Chain Bridge head on, with Buda Castle further in the backdrop, this historic luxury hotel has the best view in town.”
“No expense was spared to piece back together the palace’s Zsolnay tiles, mosaics, and celebrated wrought-iron Peacock Gates leading north, west and south from the enormous lobby – the hotel is truly worthy of its name.”
“It doesn’t get much better than this: a centrally located, super-deluxe hotel in a museum-quality landmark with the prettiest views in town.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Budapest.
“From the attentive staff to the Zsolnay tiles and Miksa Roth glass work, this is arguably Budapest’s finest hotel. It sits directly opposite the Chain Bridge on the Pest side, and more than a quarter of the 179 rooms overlook the Danube, making for a fairytale view of Buda Castle across the river.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Budapest.
“The Four Seasons sets the benchmark for luxury hotels in Budapest. It oozes quality from every pore – whether you’re approaching its grand exterior from the city’s landmark bridge, entering the lobby with its stained glass and marble, or padding the thick carpets of the corridors.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Breakfast buffet
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Excellent Wifi
Location
Recent guest reviews
23 July 2024
Stunning view of Danube River
The staff are friendly and professional. Impeccable services. Stunning view of Danube River. Also very trendy bar
Nothing
22 July 2024
Fabulous
20 July 2024
Great
The building and the space of the rooms
The bed sheets caused allergies
18 July 2024
It’s worth the price, go here when in Budapest!
Right in front of river in a palace with beautiful interior. Service was excellent and every staff was so nice and efficient . Highly recommended this Four seasons!
Toilet was weirdly placed very close to the faucet which made me very uncomfortable.
2 July 2024
Fabulous
A great hotel in the perfect location. Can highly recommend this hotel. It is beautiful.
1 July 2024
Exceptional
The spa was fantastic, providing a perfect place to unwind. The restaurant offers exquisite dishes and top service. Communication with the reception desk by phone was nice, I was assisted with everything perfectly. The room has beautiful interior. Highly recommend for a luxurious stay in Budapest)
22 June 2024
Perfect Location and Friendly Service
The Four Season'slocation was perfect, with almost all the places we wanted to visit within walking distance. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, promptly handling all our requests. We will definitely recommend this hotel.
9 June 2024
A fantastic way to spend a birthday!
My wife and I stayed here. We appreciated the room upgrade! Everyone at the four seasons Budapest from the front desk to the restaurant and to the front door, was very nice and accommodating. We really enjoyed the view from our balcony and the treats in our room. We happened to stay here on my wife’s birthday. My wife eats vegan food, so ahead of our trip we found a vegan bakery for her to get cake (the bakery was called planet Milky Way next to the the great hall market). Unfortunately, the bakery was closed when we got there. And thankfully, the four seasons was able to make her a delicious vegan strawberry cake which made her day. We ate at the restaurant and the food was delicious. The waiters were very nice and helpful and aware of food allergies. The first Thursday of every month a ballerina and a violinist perform in the lobby. This happened to be my wife’s birthday, so after dinner we watched the ballerina and the violinist in the lobby and it made the night special. The room is fantastic. We would stay here again. Thank you to all the staff!
21 May 2024
Briiliant highly recommend.
Everything The location on Danube river was just spectacular looking out over Chain Bridge.
I stayed on the 5th level at the front of the hotel in a river room which had a balcony, enjoyed great food, amazing cocktails, and the high tea served was an experience not to be missed.
The Four Seasons Gresham Palace Budapest is outstanding and one of the finest hotels in the World.
Nothing
19 May 2024
The Four Seasons Gresham is close to perfect!
The facilities and location were excellent. It had one of the nicest exercise and spa areas I’ve ever seen. But the real treat at the Four Seasons was the staff. In my almost 5 day stay here, I never encountered a staff member who was not willing to do whatever it took to make my stay comfortable. The whole staff was just absolutely pleasant to be around.
Having to to leave this hotel behind
7 May 2024
Fabulous
Comfortable amenities and central location
Rooms could have been bigger
28 April 2024
We were made to feel so welcome; nothing was too much trouble and the hotel itself was beautiful and in the most fantast
Location, facilities, most especially the Spa and fantastic staff
Nothing to report!
11 April 2024
The best hotel I've stayed at. I am delighted and I will definitely come again.
Great service, ambiance, details, atmosphere, location, food, live music in the bar, breakfast..I am delighted!
10 April 2024
Exceptional
Location, ambience, architecture of the hotel
Breakfast could be better. The view from the room was bad.
20 March 2024
Exceptional
It’s beautiful
10 March 2024
Best place for escape and relaxation
Everything
Location, service, stuff, food
I liked everything
4 March 2024
Beautiful hotel
Perfect location, beautiful building and interior
8 February 2024
High Standard hotel with really nice interior design and raffinate concept. Super comfortable beds.
It’s the best location, close to shops, restaurants and attractions. The rooms are fantastic size. We were staying at Danube River View room, it was lovely to have a seating area with the balcony and amazing view.
We really appreciate the customer service.The staff is supportive and very kind, always there to make your stay pleasant and unique. This place is 10
There is nothing to not like.
30 January 2024
Luxurious, quick, comfortable and indulgent.
It’s superb location and beautiful ambience.
There is nothing to not like.
27 January 2024
One of the great stays I ever had in my life.
Everything was great and exceptional.
Nothing yo mention.
31 December 2023
A Xmas dream
Splendid hotel, so beautiful, perfect and kind staff. Fantastic food and breakfast. Many thanks for the great service and especially a big hug for the most kind and professional restaurant manager.
Location was also the best.
Budapest is just beautiful and the whole staff of the hotel made us feel at home.
We'll be back soon. Happy New Year! xxx
Nothing
26 December 2023
Fantastic
Absolutely amazing property and even better service all around
16 December 2023
Beautiful property
superior service facility and location
16 November 2023
A must to stay here in Budapest. It will further enhance your memories of a great city
Everything was fantastic. The room was exceptional. Good size and so quiet. Ornate features with beautiful high ceiling and furniture in keeping with the period of the building. Pool and fitness centre were first class too.
Nothing at all
Hotel facilities
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9 August 2024
i love it and will come back