Business Enquirer Issue 117 | Crowne Plaza Budapest | September 2023

YOUR SIGN TO BOOK A STAY AT THIS

HUNGARIAN HOTEL

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

Your Sign to Book a Stay at THIS Hungarian Hotel

CROWNE PLAZA

BUDAPEST PROJECT

DIRECTED BY:

CHARLOTTE ROPE

ARTICLE

WRITTEN BY:

LAURA WATLING

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

With events including Sziget Festivals, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Hungarian Ballet Grand Prix, as well as the traditional thermal baths, famous ruin bars, and renowned eateries, it’s no wonder Budapest has been ranked the seventh best place for culture in the world by Tripadvisor.

Known as the ‘Heart of Europe’, Budapest is certainly a city to add to your to-do list. And, when you’re ready to plan your trip, Business Enquirer has found the best hotel for you, whether its needed for business or pleasure.

Relaunched in the summer of 2022 after undergoing a phenomenal two year refurbishment, the Crowne Plaza Budapest is equipped to suit the new post-pandemic lifestyle: harmonising the work/life balance.

Part of the IHG chain of hotels, the Crowne Plaza Budapest is the first of its kind in Hungary.

Perfectly Located in the Heart of Budapest

You won’t have any problems finding the Crowne Plaza Budapest, taking the stress out of your travel. Not only is it found in the centre of the city, in the heart of downtown and just a short walk from the Danube river, it is also located next to the Nyugati Train and Metro Station.

Unique to the Crowne Plaza Budapest, the hotel is directly connected to Budapest’s Westend Shopping Centre. The mall features 400 shops, including the largest gift shop in the city, as well as a cinema with Europe’s first 4DX movie experience.

“Besides our two rooftop terraces, our guests also can access the three-hectare roof garden on the top of the Westend Shopping Center ,” explained Crowne Plaza Budapest’s General Manager, Maurice Janssen, “our terraces offer exceptional views of the historical architecture Budapest has to offer”.

The Finest Gastronomy a Short Stroll from Your Room

As is to be expected with a hotel under the IHG brand, the Crowne Plaza Budapest offers hotel guests and visitors plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink.

In the lobby of the hotel you will find Axis Cafe and Lounge, which puts focus on locally sourced, sustainable, healthconscious food and specialty coffee, as well as an evening cocktail menu.

“Axis was designed to reflect the 19thcentury architecture of the Nyugati railway station. It’s vibrant, colourful and eclectic” explained Maurice.

“We like to use this venue to showcase new Hungarian producers, manufacturers, and farms and the best local products make it onto its menu. Whether it’s speciality coffee sourced from Hungaryborn coffee plantation owner Laszlo Banyai living in Costa Rica or cakes prepared by a local confectionary, everything about the Axis Café and Lounge is aimed at introducing both international visitors and locals to the growing successes within Hungarian gastronomy,” he continued.

Located on the first floor of the hotel is restaurant Cult, offering a calming, natural scheme, evoking the atmosphere of the gardens and greens around Budapest, all whilst overlooking the architecture of traditional Budapest buildings

During summer weekends, Crowne Plaza Budapest offers a spectacular picnic brunch experience at Cult.

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

“Guests arriving for brunch can choose from a selection of picnic islands created especially for the hotel by a local picnic design specialist. A rich weekend brunch offering is accompanied by champagne and Mimosas,” shared Maurice.

Finally, Club Lounge is located on the top floor of the hotel, with panoramic views of some of Budapest’s most famous landmarks, including the Buda Hills.

“Guests can buy exclusivity of the lounge and enjoy a continental breakfast or have a drink and snack in the afternoon,” said Maurice.

A Hotel Offering the Ideal Work/Life Balance

Despite the obvious negatives of the Covid pandemic, it gave IHG the opportunity to reflect on what the 21st-century traveller requires.

The refurbishment of the Crowne Plaza Budapest has fulfilled this by offering a new and distinct experience, with a modern, purposeful design.

“The hotel offers multi-functional zones where guests can switch effortlessly between work and socialising,” shared Maurice, “it has been redesigned to bring guests the comfort of home whilst supporting moments of productivity, leisure and relaxation within the property’s spaces,”.

In addition to its cafe, restaurant and bar, the hotel features 230 rooms, 12 function rooms, and a fitness room, not to mention a ballroom which can accommodate up to 400 people.

“The hotel services meetings, events and incentive programmes daily with a dedicated events team, technicians and gastronomy professionals,” explained Maurice, highlighting the hotel’s large windows throughout, supporting productivity and wellbeing.

Plenty More to Come

The outlook for the travel and tourism industry in the region remains positive, with revenue from the sector expected to achieve $1,555 million in 2023.

Hotel development in the city is on the rise, with IHG continually open to opportunities - it currently has 100 new Crowne Plaza hotels in its pipeline. At the Crowne Plaza Budapest, experienced General Manager, Maurice, is keen to leverage Cult restaurant further, building relationships within the local community as well as with guests.

“We place a strong emphasis on building relationships with the local community, as travellers seek personalised, authentic experiences and insight into local life. Part of this endeavour is that the property has an extraordinary collection of works by outstanding contemporary Hungarian abstract and geometric artists,” explained Maurice.

Additionally, Maurice sees the demand for future developments, both at the Crowne Plaza Budapest and within the wider sector, to be made with energy and economic efficiency in mind.

“With the popularity of train travel increasing thanks to its environmental benefits, the location of the hotel gives modern business travellers the chance to work and relax throughout Europe without missing out on the essentials of home,” he shared, “in the longer term, I hope that we can attract guests from Berlin, Bratislava and Prague, thanks to the international interconnected rail network.

And the closing thought from Maurice?

“Come visit the Crowne Plaza Budapest and enjoy the wonderful experience it has to offer. We are ready to welcome you!”

www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/gb/ en/budapest/budpb/hoteldetail

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

CROWNE PLAZA BUDAPEST

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