The Vibe: Contemporary classic.
The Area: The hotel occupies one of a pair of palaces that straddle Kossuth Lajos utca, just before the Pest bridgehead of Elizabeth Bridge. The location is as good as it gets for access to the prime tourist street, atmospheric Váci utca. You’ll step out into the heart of the action: head south for the Great Market Hall and north to Vörösmarty tér.
The DNA: Originally built between 1899 and 1902 by Hungarian-German architect Kálmán Giergl, under the patronage of Princess Maria Klotild of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, both the Matild Palace and its sister building across the road, the Klotild Palace (the former Buddha-Bar Hotel) feature large copies of the Archduke’s crown atop their twin towers. The neo-baroque buildings act as a gateway to those entering the ‘Pest’ side of the city from the ‘Buda’ side over the Elisabeth Bridge on the Danube. Wolfgang Puckc oversees all dining operations. His renowned restaurant Spago by Wolfgang Puck marks the debut of the Beverly Hills dining phenomenon in Hungary. The menu will offer traditional Hungarian cuisine with a modern twist through recipes inspired by the produce of the region. The iconic chef will also oversee culinary offerings at The Duchess rooftop bar, a secret liquor library, as well as Matild Café and Cabaret, which is a dramatic re-imagination of the most popular address for the high society of the Belle Époque era.
Suite-Me-Up: Many of the rooms and suites provide spectacular views of the city or the Danube River. The four guestroom categories each take inspiration from The Duchess’s exuberant lifestyle and early 20th century Budapest. Each bedroom is over four meters in height and celebrates Hungarian culture throughout with delicately handcrafted headboards, traditional fishbone parquet floors and lavish spa-style bathrooms inspired by the iconic thermal baths of Hungary. A color palette of teal, green, gold, and copper decorates the rooms, reflecting the hues of the Budapest roofscape. Accommodations peak with the Crown Tower Suite, which spans three floors and boasts panoramic 360-degree views of the city. The Maria Klotid Royal Suite serves as a reinterpretation of the Duchess’s private apartment, housing a spacious master bedroom, bathroom, living room, and separate study. Modern and historic furniture span the opulent chamber along with chandeliers, handmade glass mosaics, and parquet floors.
Seen: Sleeper Magazine
✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 130 room, including 19 suites ( • hotel opened: June 2021 • architecture: Péter Dajka and Puhl Antal (Budapest) • interior design: MKV Design • parking possible nearby (charged) • pets allowed on request • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible
