With a deeply cultural past, the historic Drechsler Palace, recognised by UNESCO for its world heritage, has undergone a transformative restoration with the opening of the W Budapest. Built in 1886, it is now owned by Qatar based QPR Properties, who have transformed the building into the first W Hotel in Hungary.
Interior design teams from Bowler James Brindley and Hungary's Bánáti + Hartvig have created a unique experience for guests. Influenced by the architectural splendour of the Loire Valley's French Renaissance as well as the local architecture of the Hungarian State Opera House and the Széchenyi Baths, the historic references provide a backdrop to a thoroughly contemporary transformation incorporating a vivid and modern colour palette, contemporary interpretations of Zsolnay tiles and delicately crafted light fixtures.
Optical illusions are created with cleverly positioned mirrors, inspired by the great illusionist and sleight of hand, Harry Houdini. While the Hungarian icon , Zsa Zsa Gabor inspires with retro glamour of the 1940’s Hollywood era. It is these eclectic sources of design inspiration which have given the W Budapest its unique and delightful design. The public washrooms, with chequered monochrome tiling, is a reference to another Budapest passion, chess, while theatrical bathrooms include sea creature motifs and aquatic botanicals providing a feast of visual inspiration.
While clearly routed in historic architectural details, the designers have also embraced the latest technology to bring a luxurious experience to visitors. The smart toilet, Cleanet Navia, with its intuitive controls, brings a new level of wellness and hygiene to hotel guests. Luxurious marble has been creatively combined with undermounted Birova washbasins for the elegant bathrooms, together with the understated Kartell • LAUFEN wall hung WC, giving easy maintenance for housekeeping with its rimless design.
Pictures provided by DVM Group Kft.
Investor: QPR Properties
Construction: DVM Group
Architecture and Design: Bánáti+Hartvig, Bowler James Brindley