The Vibe: Subdued luxury.

The Area: The palatial redbrick building sits on elegant, statue-studded boulevard Horváth Mihály on the Buda side of the Danube, just a short walk from the landmark-lined Grand Boulevard and the Great Market.

The DNA: Once in a while a new hotel opens where everything seems right. KOZMO has it all, even the name covers the experience. Set in an emblematic building designed by Hungarian virtuoso Ray Rezső, the turreted, extravagantly decorative urban castle (which used to be a a telecommunications centre) has a spectacular main staircase, storytelling reliefs, and intricate ceiling decals. It is luxurious – without the stuffiness – with sleek custom furnishings and dramatic artwork leaning to minimalism. It is grand, yet intimate, but its size gives its facilities normally not associated to boutique hotels: bistro restaurant, oyster bar, and an indulgently equipped spa. An eye for artwork, and of the notable works hung throughout, rounds things off. KOZMO is an independent property, not part of any chain, but affiliated with The Leading Hotels of the World. If all major cities could have this new generation luxury hotel like this…

Suite-Me-Up: Even the spacious standard rooms have an air of refinement, with subtle panelling, high-spec custom furnishings and statement artwork. The Presidential Suite 51, which lives up to the gravitas of its name with sultry hues, serious large-scale artworks and an entertainment area an entire government could let loose in, including a bar, personal sauna and terrace.

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 84 rooms, including 23 suites (32-180m2) (344-1,938 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2021 • architecture & interior design: GCA • bathroom amenities: Penhaligon’s • on-site parking (charged) • pets allowed on request • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible