Autograph Collection Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of more than 30 exceptional hotel brands, has announced its Hungarian debut with the opening of Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection.
The new hotel, which has come to life in a block of three buildings of different ages and styles in Budapest’s iconic 5th district, was named after Archduchess Mária Dorottya of Württemberg, an influential public figure of the 1800s who, together with her husband, Palatine József Habsburg, brought significant cultural and economic development. to the capital.
Evoking the charm of Hungary’s “golden age”, the Dorothea Hotel invites its guests on a unique journey through the city center, where the past and the present are delicately intertwined.
“We are very pleased that with the opening of the Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection hotel, we can expand our unique Autograph Collection hotel portfolio with a unit in Hungary,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Marriott International’s vice president responsible for premium and select brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“Each hotel tells a unique story, a shining example of this is the Dorothea Hotel, which evokes the rich history of the city in a sophisticated and modern approach. From the renovated historic building, to the fabulous guest rooms, to the dining experience that stimulates all our senses and to the hidden wellness department, the hotel is so offers a unique experience package, through which guests can not only immerse themselves in the unique world of Dorothea, but also become a part of it”.
Designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, the Dorothea Hotel pays homage to both history and modernity, the mixture of which appears as a recurring motif in the interior design elements and design.
The three buildings were created in different eras: the Weber house (1873) was the former headquarters of the Pesti Hazai Első Takarékpénztár with neo-Renaissance style features; the Mahart headquarters (1913), built as the former art nouveau headquarters of the Hungarian River and Sea Shipping Company; while the Münnich House (1937), which combines modernist and art deco elements, initially served as the headquarters of Futura Rt.
During the development, in cooperation with local heritage protection specialists, the historical elements of each building were preserved and renovated, including the remarkable historic staircase.
Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by an impressive colonnade with a richly decorated ceiling and walls adorned with painterly portraits of Hungarian art and fashion photographer Zoltán Tombor. The female figures seen in the artistic photos in the hall wear traditional clothing, seasoned with a surprising modern twist. Exclusive works created for the hotel can also be found in the guest rooms. Upon entering the reception in the spacious inner courtyard, guests are greeted by a spectacular, long drop-shaped glass chandelier, and looking to the right, they can see the fully restored historic staircase hidden behind the blue Zsolnay tile wall.
Dorothea Hotel’s 216 guest rooms and suites can be divided into two different design categories, Contemporary and Heritage, all of which are equipped with modern amenities.
The contemporary guest rooms are decorated in soft beiges and oranges that contrast beautifully with the dark wood floors and peacock blue curtains. In addition to the works of Zoltán Tombor, the walls of the rooms also feature photographs depicting urban developments initiated by Palatine József, through which guests can gain an insight into the historical past of Budapest.
The doors of the heritage guest rooms in the Weber House, the oldest of the three buildings, are decorated with details of female portrait paintings from the 1800s from the Hungarian National Gallery. Inside, the rooms feature ornate stucco around the large Neo-Renaissance style windows and fine furniture upholstered in textiles inspired by local folk motifs. Elegant, light gray-toned traditional guest rooms feature four-poster four-poster beds, green velvet sofas, and black-and-white carpeting, offset by dark wood herringbone floors.
The crown jewel of the hotel is the Presidential Suite on the top floor, a tranquil retreat with timeless decor, comprising a master bedroom with built-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom, infrared sauna, living room and dining room with fully equipped kitchen.
The suite features 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious wrap-around terrace with breathtaking views of the city skyline. On the terrace, a jacuzzi and comfortable seating complete the unique experience.
Located in the heart of the hotel, the inner courtyard with the atmosphere of a verdant oasis is home to the Pavilon Restaurant & Bar, where guests can enjoy spending time in the embrace of nature and the grandiose surroundings. The restaurant led by chef Carmine di Luggo rethinks the experience of eating in the city with gourmet dishes based on local ingredients and following the “farm to table” concept.
Each Autograph Collection hotel offers a unique experience specific to the hotel, this is “The Mark”.
In the case of the Dorothea Hotel, this unique feature is based on the theme of medicinal plants, paying tribute to Palatine József, who was fond of botany.
In the Pavilion, guests can thus see a sprawling wall of herbs and spices, the plants of which are echoed in the cocktails and dishes in the hotel’s restaurants.
Anton’s Bar & Deli, located on the ground floor, offers an artisan coffee experience, light bites and freshly baked pastries during the day, while at night it transforms into a dynamic bar and community space with a bubbly atmosphere and innovative cocktails. The hotel will open two more restaurants in 2024, led by three-Michelin-starred chef Dani García: rooftop BiBo, an Andalusian brasserie with stunning panoramic views of Buda, and Alelí, an authentic Italian street-front osteria.
Wellness-loving guests can relax in the 650 square meter Spa equipped with a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and fitness room. Holistic body treatments using Babor cosmetics can be enjoyed in three treatment rooms, including a double room.
