Buddha-Bar Hotel Budapest Klotild Palace

When the granddaughter of Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned the Klotild Palace, we sincerely doubt she had chic international hotel concepts on her mind. But now, a century after the palace first rose above the eastern banks of the Danube on Budapest’s legendary Váci Street, enter Buddha-Bar — yes, the brand famous for its luxe chill-out lounges does hotels, too. They’ve wisely chosen to restore the palace’s façade to its former glory, but any traces of the Austro-Hungarian empire have been jettisoned from the interior in order to create a sumptuous Asian fantasy.

If you’re picturing an abundance of dragons and statues, you’re not far off, but Buddha-Bar didn’t become a purveyor of upscale trendiness around the world by relying on cheap stereotypes or kitschy artifacts. So where the public spaces are all about the opulence that tends to define the Asian mega-resorts, the guest rooms offer sleeker, more scaled-down modern luxury. The expected amenities are present and accounted for — king bed, media center, rainfall shower — wrapped in a five-star sheen, not to mention a liberal dose of red lacquer. A wide variety of perks and upgrades are available for guests willing to pay for them — if you’ve ever wanted to feel like Eastern European royalty, feel free to scratch that particular itch by opting for one of the tower suites.

The spa is predictably groovy (a testament to Buddha-Bar’s ambient-soundtrack roots) and if you prefer your treatments fully personalized, the Sauna Suite brings the experience to your room. Two restaurants run the gamut from east to west, and thanks to the hotel’s prime location you can always step outside for a taste of the local scene.

• 101 Rooms
• Style: Modern Design
• Atmosphere: Happening

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