Matild Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site originally constructed in 1902, has been transformed into the 130-key Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest. The conversion was led by Maria Vafiadis of London-based studio MKV Design, who reimagined the property’s interiors honor the site’s innumerable historic accents, while also instilling a locally inspired sensibility for the modern era.
“Leading the interior design for the Matild Palace project was a perfect opportunity for MKV to bring our company values to life, as they are so aligned with the Luxury Collection’s brand values,” Vafiadis says. “The compelling design narrative, rooted in local culture, that we created for this historical palace is infused in every element of the project. Our design invites guests on a journey of discovery, which is an important element of a hotel experience.”
The hotel welcomes visitors with an immediate sense of serenity in the main lobby. Intricate design details across the window shielding frame city views, while a collection of historic photography narrates the history of Budapest and the palace. A central chandelier crafted in homage to an Habsburg family heirloom anchors the common area as well.
Amenities like the Swan Spa, which draws inspiration from the Daube River swan, instill tranquility via soft white walls, gold detailing, and white marble floors. Spago, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, will evoke a contemporary ethos and feature a lounge, and the Duchess, a secret liquor library, will crown the hotel in homage to Archduchess Maria Klotild, who commissioned the palace’s clandestine rooftop space. Lastly, Matild Café & Cabaret will join the F&B lineup in September and reinterpret historic European coffee house traditions.
The hotel’s 111 guestrooms and 19 suites are influenced by the exuberant lifestyle of the duchess during early 20th-century Budapest. Soaring ceilings and unique Art Nouveau details define the accommodations, which span four configurations and each feature handcrafted headboards, Hungarian-style fishbone parquet floors, embroidered cushions, and elegant crystal lamps. Decadent spa-inspired bathrooms are equipped with bespoke Italian cast bathtubs and rain showers clad with turquoise glass mosaic tiles. Rich white marble slab adorn floors and walls as well.
Accommodations peak with the Crown Tower Suite, which spans three floors and boasts panoramic 360-degree views of the city. The Maria Klotid Royal Suite serves as a reinterpretation of the Duchess’s private apartment, housing a spacious master bedroom, bathroom, living room, and separate study. Modern and historic furniture span the opulent chamber along with chandeliers, handmade glass mosaics, and parquet floors.
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