Flanked by the buzz of Erzsébet Park and the stately domes of St. Stephen’s Basilica, The five-star Kempinski Corvinus is right at the centre of everything Budapest has to offer. Step outside and you’ll immediately find yourself on the iconic Fashion Street — a stone’s throw from the fairytale spires of Parliament and the Danube-crossing Chain Bridge.
Just beyond, the cobbled, pastel-hued streets of the Castle District are a short stroll away, while the nearby Shoes on the Danube memorial honours those lost in the city’s darker chapters. Back outside the hotel, the mood lightens at old-world cafés, sleek new bars and stalls selling cinnamon-dusted Hungarian chimney cakes overflowing with scoops of ice cream.
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Beyond its stellar location, the Kempinski occupies a fascinating place in Budapest’s cultural history. Designed by József Finta, the late architect behind several of the city’s most iconic hotels, the property is home to the 1,500-strong Corvinus Art Collection, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
The majority of the works were amassed during the 1990s as Hungary was shaking off the remnants of socialism and embracing bold reforms that forever changed its cultural identity. Far from being a static gallery, the collection feels alive — its sculptures, paintings and pieces peppered throughout the hotel’s public spaces, turning lobbies and hallways into a celebration of Budapest’s artistic rebirth.
Add to that the hotel’s five excellent restaurants and bars — including Central Europe’s first outpost of the world-renowned Nobu — plus an expansive spa and airy indoor pool, and the draw of Budapest’s charms just beyond the doorstep has some stiff competition.
Middle East Traveller checked into a Corvinus Park View Room at Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest.
The Arrival
We hop in a $26 taxi at Ferenc Liszt International Airport, and after a speedy 30-minute journey through the suburbs we’re in Budapest’s city centre (the hotel’s concierge can also arrange transfers in Mercedes Maybachs, E-classes or plush Sprinter vans). A cheaper alternative is Bus 100E, which runs directly from arrivals to one block away from the Kempinski — a ticket costs just over $5.
The hotel sits on Erzsébet Park, a leafy pocket of the Hungarian capital dotted with skaters, sunbathers and couples sharing takeaway lángos bread from pop-up street food stalls as the Ferris Wheel of Budapest spins lazily overhead.
Our bags are swiftly whisked away by a sharp-suited doorman, and we’re welcomed by one of Kempinski’s signature Ladies in Red — part concierge, part local insider, they’re your go-to for everything from restaurant recommendations to private hotel tours and last-minute surprises.
In the lobby space, glowing panels stretch nine metres skyward, bouncing off polished stone floors and towering polished plaster columns, with clusters of soft armchairs and plants bringing just the right amount of cosiness to the clean-cut vibe.
The Room
The hotel’s 350 rooms were recently renovated, bringing a residential feel to the interiors, anchored by plush carpets, warm wood panelling and gentle accents of deep yellow and blue running throughout the space.
Our elegant Corvinus Park View Room still feels clean and fresh, retaining a timeless, classic feel that will age well in the coming years.
Pulling back the curtains, the windows open out onto views of Erzsébet Park’s famous ferris wheel and sun-drenched architecture, although ample sound-proofing means you won’t hear a peep from the busy square in later hours.
All rooms feature unique modern Hungarian works from the hotel’s extensive selection, although five Art Collection suites – complete with cosy dining nooks, stylish interiors and striking city views – are elevated with a greater selection of pieces.
The Activities
The hotel is home to a terrific spa with four treatment rooms, Finnish and aroma saunas, a heated swimming pool with jets and a menu of treatments that draw on weeds, sea-salts and oils. Fitness buffs will also find a Kneipp-bench gym decked out with state-of-the-art equipment, open from 6am until 9pm each day.
The signature Hungarian Holistic Wrap begins with a full body brushing, preparing the skin for a mineral-rich body slathering of Hungarian mud, followed by a choice of scalp massage or hydrating express facial — finishing off with a back, neck and shoulder massage.
Bespoke treatments, lasting 60 or 80 minutes, can be customised to focus on specific areas of pain or tension, with scrubs using local salts and honeys tailored to your skin’s needs.
The Restaurants and Bars
The Kempinski’s Gastronomic Quarter Downtown Budapest concept brings together Nobu’s polished Japanese cuisine, Hungarian-Viennese steakhouse ÉS Bisztró, The Living Room – a modern riff on Budapest’s famous coffeehouse culture, popular for its cakes, afternoon teas and weekly music concerts – plus Blue Fox The Bar for sleek late-night cocktails.
Hungarian-Viennese food rarely makes it to the front rows of world cuisine. But at all-day restaurant ÉS Bisztró, we discover the countries’ robust flavours in dishes packed full of smoky paprika and lush sour cream, bolstered by a never-ending parade of dumplings, stews, and sweet, jam-filled pastries.
The meal begins with a salute to imperial Austrian tradition — a superb three-part Tafelspitz, said to be so beloved by 19th-century Emperor Franz Joseph that he ate it every day. This grand feast starts with a clear, golden consommé dotted with delicate slivers of beef, offset by a crisp, golden rösti that crackles with every bite. On the side, a piece of toasted bone marrow gleams like polished amber.
Next up is the silky veal stew, paired with delightfully chewy egg-drop pasta and brightened by tangy homemade pickles that slice through the richness. A dollop of sour cream crowns the dish, bringing just the right hit of zing to tie it all together.
Dessert is a celebration of Hungarian tradition, starting with a warm, cinnamon-dusted szilvásgombóc plum tart, its doughy folds giving way to a lusciously tangy plum centre. Next comes a simple Gerbeaud slice, combining delicate layers of buttery pastry, walnut, dark chocolate and tangy apricot jam.
Why Stay?
It’d be hard to find a better location in Budapest than the Kempinski — but that’s not the only reason to check in. This hotel is one of the city’s true historic grand dames, with a stellar collection of restaurants – swinging from high-end Hungarian to pan-Asian flair – and an equally impressive spread of art peppering the walls.
The Essentials
- Rates: Rooms start at EUR300 per night, including breakfast and taxes.
- Phone number: +36 1429 3777
- Website: kempinski.com/en/hotel-corvinus-budapest
- Address: Erzsébet tér 7-8, Budapest, 1051, Hungary
