Budapest; a city famed for it's rich and historic culture, flowing Danube River and local delicacies. But what it should also be known for? Romance. The capital is endowed with a bounty of art nouveau architecture, eccentric ruin bars and soporific bathhouses - making it the perfect travel date destination for you and your loved one.
"Kempinski Hotel Corvinus’ imposing modernity remains a landmark of central Budapest. Flanked by green Erzsébet Park and lively Fashion Street, it is ideally located within easy reach of the main historical sights, the Danube, the financial district and the shopping boulevard."
Located in the pulsing heart of downtown Budapest, and only 750 yards from the Chain Bridge and Saint Stephen's Basilica, the five-star Kempinski Hotel Corvinus is the epitome of luxury, and a wonderful melding of art nouveau and gastronomy. We had the pleasure of staying here for 2 nights whilst in Budapest, and the service and attention to detail was second to none. From the moment we arrived, the Kempinski staff abetted our every need, putting us up in the Grand Deluxe Park View Room. Uncompromising in inspiration and lavish in design, this room offers essential and unique amenities designed to pamper travellers in the city centre of Budapest, including a stunning lounge, a smart TV and a huge king-size bed to relax after a long day of travel. Furthermore, the hotel houses a wonderful gym & spa for guests, as well as two restaurants, two bars, a coffee house and a deli in case you get peckish!
Book your stay here, prices per night begin at £191.
Tucked away from the hustle & bustle but still in a central location, Kozmo Hotel Suites & Spa is the very synthesis of luxury. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, this five star hotel is perfect for the modern traveller looking for a chic & sophisticated hub of relaxation. With a state of the art spa (including a sauna, pool and jacuzzi), and amenities by Penhaligons, Kozmo hotel is the ideal respite after roaming the vibrant streets of Budapest's Jewish Quarter. Welcomed by a delicious glass of champagne, we were lucky enough to enjoy a 2-night stay in the beautiful junior suite; our room characterised by discreet, cosmopolitan elegance. The outstanding quality of the linen and amenities, as well as the attention to detail by staff, was truly a highlight of the experience. The bistro is also the perfect way to start the day, with a wide selection of international cheeses and cold cuts, freshly-baked local delicacies, natural juices and hot à la carte dishes to line the stomach!
Book your stay here, prices per night begin at £133.
If you're looking for a hotel with panoramic views you can't beat, Hotel Vision is unbeatable. A brand new luxury boutique hotel perched on Pest side of the Danube Bank, Hotel Vision is located near the Elizabeth Bridge, the Gellért Hill and the Liberty Statue - making it the perfect refuge after a long day of sightseeing and climbing the mountainous hills of Buda. The hotel is a juxtaposition of contemporary and decadence, maintaining its original Art Nouveau style on the outside, with the interior transformed into an exquisite and modern space. Our final night in Budapest was spent in the ambassador suite overlooking the Danube, and it was pure bliss. With White Company amenities, an elegant living room with a built-in kitchen, dining table for 4, two 55” flat screen TVs, and a rain shower & stand alone bathtub, we had to force ourselves to leave the room and continue exploring Budapest! The hotel also features a delicious Spanish tapas restaurant, a tranquil spa area as well as a beautiful and spacious lobby, reminiscent of a modern garden.
Book your stay here, prices per night begin at £116.
Set a couple of streets back within the vibrant Jewish Quarter, Dobrumba is a MUST if you're visiting Budapest. With a hip crowd, cool design, and Middle Eastern menu, Dobrumba's mezze plates (particularly the creamy labneh and the baba ganoush) taste too good to miss. We recommend Dobrumba for a leisurely lunch-time pit stop to re-energise and fill up. Book your reservation here.
If you're looking for a slicker, more polished vibe - then Leo Rooftop is the best place for dinner & drinks with a view. Located on the 8th floor of Hotel Clark Budapest, the food, views, drinks and service is truly impeccable. Make sure to book in advance, and ordering the slider burgers is a MUST if you want to know what heaven tastes like. Book your table here.
St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest church in Budapest and dedicated to Hungary’s first king, St. Stephen. Not only can you go inside the beautiful Neoclassical cathedral, but you can climb the stairs up to the top and take in the beautiful views of Budapest (we recommend going just before sunset!). The church also houses Hungary’s most sacred treasure, St. Stephen’s mummified right hand, the Szent Jobb (Holy Right Hand), as well as hosting multiple musical performances throughout the year.
Dohány Street Synagogue
If you're a history-lover you must pay visit to the largest synagogue in Europe; Dohány Street Synagogue. Built in the 1800s in the Moorish Revival style, the synagogue's architect, Ludwig Förster, believed that no distinctively Jewish architecture could be identified, therefore chosing "architectural forms that have been used by oriental ethnic groups that are related to the Israelite people, and in particular the Arabs". Dohány Street itself carries strong Holocaust connotations as it constituted the border of the Budapest Ghetto, and was bombed by the Hungarian pro-Nazi Arrow Cross Party on 3 February 1939. The Dohány Street Synagogue complex consists of the Great Synagogue, the Heroes' Temple, the graveyard, the Memorial, and the Jewish Museum, which was built on the site on which Theodor Herzl's (an Austro-Hungarian Jewish lawyer, journalist, playwright, political activist, and writer who was the father of modern political Zionism) house of birth stood.
Originally from Brazil, Chies travelled extensively throughout South America before setting roots in London, and her love for connecting with locals on her travels sparked the idea for Let’s GoDo. “Our experiences are authentic and accessible, and our booking platform is designed to be simple and easy. Guests trust us and enjoy the fact that we create a community, which is key to standing out in the travel space.” she says. On this edition of Women Who Launch, The Sybarite speaks with Chies about how she stands out in a crowded market and where her dream destination is.
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