In many ways the fortunes of Budapest’s grand hotel run parallel to the recent history of one of Eastern Europe’s most charming cities. I couldn’t help thinking about the 2014 feature film The Grand Budapest Hotel that elicited 9 Academy award nominations and 4 wins as I checked into the Corinthia, Budapest.
The sweeping views from the atrium reminded me of some of the scenes from the film that won the Best Production Design Oscar.
In 1896, when the Grand Royal hotel (with its distinctive French renaissance design language) debuted to coincide with Budapest’s Millennium Exhibition, it was Europe’s most imposing hotel, with 350 guest rooms and a grand ball room where the Lumiere brothers would screen a motion picture for the first time ever in Budapest.
The hotel’s fortunes faded after the First World War and suffered heavy damages during the Second World War. It managed to reopen in 1953 but was eventually shut down in 1991 after a fire, a reconstruction and one more relaunch in the 1960s.
WHERE TO STAY
CORINTHIA
THE ORIGINAL 19th Century Grand Budapest hotel was recently revamped into a contemporary luxury address in the heart of the city. The hotel has one of Budapest’s most beautiful baths
WALLET: ₹25,000 onwards
WEB: www.corinthia.com
THE RITZ CARLTON BUDAPEST
A SHORT walk from St. Stephen's Basilica, Erzsébet Square and the River Danube, this hotel is set within a 20th century heritage building that balances modern luxury with a tint of tradition. Five-star amenities include Ipanema Brazilian Grill with creative Latin American cuisine and a spa
This story is from the December 01, 2021 edition of The MAN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 01, 2021 edition of The MAN.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The 2023 Bucket List
Before the world as we know it changes forever, here's a partial list of experiences to try in the year ahead
Do You Have The Time To Read Your Watch?
Audemars Piguet Starwheel Code 11.59 is the latest among watches with unusual layouts
THEY CAME THEY RODE, THEY CONQUERED
FOUR WOMEN BIKERS TRAVERSING THE UNTOUCHED TERRAIN OF EASTERN ARUNACHAL ON THEIR DUCATI MULTISTRADA BIKES. THE 'EXPLORE BEYOND' BIKING EXPEDITION WAS AN INITIATIVE OF ARUNACHAL TOURISM TO SHOWCASE THE STATE AS A SAFE DESTINATION FOR SOLO WOMEN TRAVELLERS. THE RIDE WAS FLAGGED OFF BY CM PEMA KHANDU FROM THE BANKS OF THE SIANG AT PASIGHAT AND WOUND UP AT THE ORANGE FESTIVAL OF ADVENTURE & MUSIC, DAMBUK, WHERE THE BIKERS LET THEIR HAIR DOWN AND PARTIED LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW. YUP, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, AND IN ARUNACHAL THEY CAN - SAFELY
ΤΗΕ RIGHT ΤΙΜΕ
AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY BECOME BURNING ISSUES, WATCH BRANDS TOO ARE DOING THEIR BIT TO SUPPORT CAUSES, BOTH THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL THE TIMEPIECES THEY ARE CREATING AND THE INITIATIVES THEY ARE UNDERTAKING
THE GOLDENPASS EXPRESS
A LUXURY SWISS WINTER ESCAPE ROUTE
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
WITH BOUTIQUE LODGES AND ΝΟ CROWDS, THE MORE EXCLUSIVE TEHLA ZONE OF SARISKA NATIONAL PARK IS EMERGING AS THE DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS
LAMBORGHINI HURACAN EVO SPYDER TOP-DOWN ADRENALINE MACHINE
A machine sculpted to perfection, the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder is a sensational car in every sense. It is fast, it's beautiful, and it is just special
CARS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2023
WITH THE devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the acute supply chain disruptions caused by it beginning to ease, the automotive industry is rapidly accelerating out of the deep crisis it found itself two years ago.
DATING A SINGLE MOM
IT’S A COOL Friday evening. She is sitting with a cup of hot chocolate and unwinding with her phone. Her dating app has 10 unread messages. She hopes that at least one match will lead to a conversation and a date that weekend.
YOUR SHIP HAS COME IN
Go-karting, the world’s first freefall dry slide on sea, musical shows, spa, artwork... this new ship has raised the bar on many levels!
