Le Meridien Budapest is one of the newest five star Hotels
of the capital. Thanks to its classical elegance, its highest quality services
and amenities, Le Meridien Budapest has been elected a member of the Leading
Hotels of the World, received the Connoisseurs’ Choice 2002 and 2003
designated by Resorts & Great Hotels, and for the first time in Hungary has
been honoured by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences with its most
prestigious symbol of excellence, the International Five Star Diamond Award.
This truly stylish European Hotel has already created standards in the Hungarian
capital through its location, style, facilities and personalized services.
HistoryFormerly known as Adria Palace built between 1914 and 1918 to host the
Italian Adria Insurance Company, this pre-modern office and Apartment Building
was designed in 1913. Due to its fine elegance, classical nobility and ideal
location, this stone covered building not only represented an outstanding
architectural quality, but has also been declared a historic monument. Some of
the architectural characteristics are wrought iron grilled Balconies in front of
the first Floor, and arched Windows with French Balconies on the upper Floors.
The smoothness of the stone covered facade is contrasted with the perle-form
ornament of the window frames and the sculptured cylindrical form on the corner
sides of the Building.
The Adria Palace was badly damaged by a bomb during World War II and was partly
burned down. Reconstruction took place between 1949-50. The Apartments and the
Shops came to an end when the headquarter of the Budapest Police moved in and
stayed in the Building until 1997. Various proposals were then made to upgrade
the Building to become either a Luxurious Hotel, Deluxe Apartment or a Shopping
Center, within the original structure that was not authorized to be transformed.
In 1998 the 2080 m² built in surface was bought by the Duna Plaza group to
become Le Meridien Budapest 5 Star Hotel opened in October 2000.
Le Meridien Budapest is a real jewel ideally located in the
historic downtown, in the cultural, shopping and Business
Centre. Only 30 minutes drive from Budapest`s International Airport, and within
walking distance from the Danube, the Opera House, Academy of Music, theatres,
museums, spas and most of the main sights of the city.
The Hotel is entered from Erzsebet Square and the new Entrance Hall
immediately summons up the design philosophy applied to the interior throughout.
An intimate, almost domestic scale, a traditional image reflecting the
architecture of the building, fine finishes, period furniture, artwork
reflecting Hungary's rich artistic traditions.
The Entrance Hall opens into a stunning stained-glass dome with Le
Bourdon Restaurant and Atrium Cafe offering a warm,
elegant atmosphere under the guidance of French executive chef Laurent
Vandenameele and Alain Lagrange, pastry chef. Le Bourbon Restaurant, with a
terrace during summer period, represents some of the best culinary highlights of
the city with its French touch. The cosy Adria Palace Bar
occupying the original entrance hall of the building has been fully restored
with huge Doric columns, marble floor and inlaid marble-clad walls. The Bar
awaits its guests with excellent live music with a singer and pianist.
