HIDDEN GUEST: Kimpton Bem Budapest

Hotels seem to be mushrooming across Budapest. Nearly all give a new lease of life to historical buildings that line almost every street in the city. Many put faith in the story of the building where they started a new chapter. Only a handful of them dare to define, regenerate and transform the original story. Far before Kimptom Ben opened doors, the building was home to the Radetzcky Barracks. Like other palaces and buildings in Budapest, the building was repurposed several times before falling into disrepair and decay. Yet, it seared into the collective memory of locals as a symbol of longevity. That is why the city decided to revamp the exterior. Hungarian entrepreneur Scheer Sándor seems inclined to build in the Buda part of town. Within spitting distance, guests can walk past his luxury Hotel Clark, recognised as a game-changer after opening in 2018. The new hotel and business centre greet guests opposite the iconic Hungarian Parlament. For travellers bewildered by the city’s geography, the hotel is on the Buda side of the Danube (right bank). The district of Vizivaros, where the hotel found its home, loosely translates to “city on the water”. This beloved, dynamic and pleasant part of Budapest is among the city’s most prestigious.

Reaching the hotel is straightforward, courtesy of a spacious underground parking garage built for guests visiting the business area or hotel. Should you arrive by car, be mindful that the parking is not the cheapest in Europe (35 EUR per day). Luckily, the hotel enjoys a fantastic location, enabling guests to wander through the district on foot. Public transport is equally impressive. Everything is within arm’s reach in this hotel. Should you stay here, you must take advantage of the location’s apparent advantages. In recent years, the city’s air accessibility has been steadily evolving, thanks to budget airlines increasing the frequency of flights to the Hungarian capital. Budapest Airport, in fact, ranks among Europe’s fifty most accessible. We must warn of the dreadful traffic jams that almost bring the city to a halt. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you may find yourself meandering bit by bit among the sluggish metal auto-assembly driving out or into Budapest. You may find it reasonable to think twice about when and how to go to and fro the city. The city’s authorities are not adept at solving the traffic issue. The best way to avoid road traffic is to venture on foot or pedal through the historic districts. Although not yet an adopted daily habit in Budapest, walking and cycling are the perfect way to explore Budapest and the hotel’s buzzing district.

To the naked eye, the palace has retained an uncanny resemblance to the original building, at least on the eastern wing. All the rest, including the novel BEM Business Centre, was built anew. Renowned Dutch designer Marcel Wanders was tasked with the interior design. The hotel bears his unmistakable, eclectic design. His references include the designer brand Moooi and past partnerships with brands such as Louis Vuitton. It is often said there is no Hungarian who would not know at least one folk tale. This hotel sourced its inspiration from the folk tale about the Golden Stag and bird Turul. The mythological falcon is Hungary’s national symbol. According to the legend, Turul inseminated Emese, the grandmother of Árpád, a warlord who led Hungarian tribes from the Carpathians westward in 895. A year later, the bird hurled a sword into the plains of Hungary, which showed Hungarians this would be their motherland. The entire design of the hotel revolves around this story. The architects further enriched the story with elements of folklore and a rich colour palette. A case in point is the reception, shaped like upside-down eggs, a symbol of eternity. You will encounter Hungarian mythological beasts and local plants adorning the walls as you zigzag through the hotel corridors. The centrepiece is the mythological Golden Stag next to the reception, which may be the hotel’s most Instagrammable feature. No guest will feel ambivalent about the hotel’s iconic design and story. As you wander through the hotel, you will stumble upon unexpected stories embedded into the hotel’s soul. There is never a dull moment in this memorable hotel, which provokes a smile on every face.

On recent visits, we encountered hotel staff who took immense pride in being part of a successful hotel story. That may have been most evident in Kimptom Bem. The incredibly friendly concierge proactively reparked a wrongly parked vehicle for us. The staff at the reception went the extra mile to make our stay pleasurable. The barista and personnel working in the Fennel rooftop bar made the place come alive as in a fairytale. Like the staff, the breakfast is outstanding, with a superb a la carte menu, front cooking and elegant self-service buffet. Though generally amiable, the staff could focus more on guests and less on blathering among themselves. Besides the humbly-stocked veggie bar, that is our only remark. Executive Chef Attila Fehér has made a name for himself as an innovative chef. He honed his skills in London’s Savoy Palace and, until recently, helmed the kitchen at Hotel Matild Palace. Thanks to his culinary mastery, the hotel also gained fame for its mouthwatering brunches paired with live DJ sets and superb wines from the Hungarian Kreinbacher winery. To top it off, the hotel is spotless – so well maintained we hope it stays that way.

Hotel rooms

The hotel rooms come in blue or green colour combinations. We stayed in the green room with a charming balcony overlooking a magical garden where guests are awakened by birdsong every morning. We were astonished by the blossoming garden depicted on the fabric-clad wall behind the bed and on the floor. Amazing us were the iconic dark green tiles that dominated the room and continued in the bathroom and the toilet. You feel as if you were amidst a blooming field. The room’s extraordinary design is enriched by a charming balcony that takes guests into Alice’s Wonderland. Eye-catching details abound in this magical room, including an elegant white frame for the LED TV, designer lights lining the walls, bed tables that pay homage to the city’s traditional architecture, a retro chair and comfortable bed lining. In the room, you will even come across a Wanders’ legendary vase. The bathroom befits the five-star standard, with excellent eco-friendly Balmain cosmetics and amenities. Everything seems harmonious, while the oak furniture and well-stocked mini bar add a touch of elegance. This enchanting room is only the tip of the iceberg, as the hotel offers a range of apartments and suites, including the rooftop suite where you can host a private event.

Meetings centre

The heart of the conference offering is the Ballroom, set on the ground floor, which can be separated into three smaller conference rooms. The maximum capacity is 130 attendees in a theatre setting and 80 attendees for banquets. Two smaller conference rooms on the mezzanine floor – the MV Saloon (named after the architect) and the Golden Stag – can host ten guests, respectively. We believe both are unique venues unmatched in the city.

If you want guests to feel as if they were in their living room, you can opt for the multifunctional venues Turul Chamber, Agos (73 pax) and Huso (50 pax). You can rent and privatise all three and create a unique experience for your attendees. It is delightful to see how the hotel aspires to sell more than square metres of lifeless conference halls, unlike many other hotel chains.

DESSERT – The extras

The turquoise-blue-hued mini spa in the cellar is another chapter of the magical story. With two saunas and an inconspicuous jacuzzi, the spa provides a welcome respite. In all rooms, guests can find yoga mats and other sports paraphernalia. This attention to detail is rare in similar hotels.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

There is almost nothing to criticise in this hotel. Perhaps a hairsplitting remark concerns the breakfast, where we expected a more diverse assortment of vegetables. Considering the reputation of the main chef, we believe they can easily polish the classic a la carte menu. In our bathroom, we missed towel holders, but we do not doubt other guests have outlined this, too.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

We were in awe of the hotel lift that guests can manage to ensure intimacy and safety. To boot, it looks appealing and smells heavenly. Details such as this make the experience even more extraordinary. We had not stayed in such a pleasantly odoured hotel in some time.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

You will encounter several sustainable initiatives in this fantastic institution. First, you will likely see environment-friendly, sustainable toiletries. Advertised with an appealing “There is no Planet B” slogan, the toiletries come with a note that says they are made from environment-friendly materials, 100% recycled and plastic-free. Event organisers will be similarly amazed by the hotel’s scheme Meeting for Good. The scheme stands for complete digitalisation, a ban on plastic and unnecessary gadgets and helps event organisers carefully plan catering services to reduce food waste. We also glimpsed stations for refilling water bottles. The hotel is also active in energy management. Although they have not acquired any certificate, it is plain to see they put sustainability first. Your search for plastic in the room will have been in vain, as the hotel has banned plastic entirely.

This hotel masters almost everything and evokes a sense of a spread-out magic land for events with its hybrid design. It has all the attributes of a top-tier hotel and a compelling story to share with its guests. The hotel honours the building’s past while forging a brighter future. In terms of professionalism and unbelievable personal kindness, the staff is world-class. The surreal, at moments rebellious, and provocative design by Wanders deserves a similarly high ranking. It provokes emotions and smiles, which is rare in most hotels. The quality of materials and the functionality of the design elements are impressive, whilst the details are a feast for the senses. Even the hotel flooring seems a piece of art.

Kimpton Bem is another remarkable hotel in Budapest that has set the bar high for rivals across the city. One of the reasons is its focus on and offering for the meetings industry. Such a holistic package comes with a price, but we believe the value justifies it.

FINAL GRADE: 4.99 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60