The Ritz-Carlton to Open in Budapest in 2016

Le Meridien Budapest

Big news out of Dubai. During the Arabian Travel Market 2015, held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre this year from May 4-7, The Ritz-Carlton announced that the luxury hotel chain will be opening a Budapest hotel in 2016 in agreement with the UAE-based Al Habtoor Group. The Ritz-Carlton broke the news on Twitter.

Business Traveller (UK) reports that an existing Le Méridien, currently owned by the Al Habtoor Group, will be transformed into the Ritz-Carlton. Located on Erzsébet Square in the city center, the hotel is housed in a protected, historic monument called the Adria Palace. It has 192 rooms and 26 suites, meeting facilities, and a Health Club with an indoor pool.

Given its situation not far from the Danube, the luxury hotel could be looking to cater to the ever-expanding river cruise market with passengers tacking on pre- and post-tours in the beautiful Hungarian capital. In fact, the city of Budapest is soaring in popularity as a travel destination, and other new hotels-- like the music-themed Aria Hotel Budapest-- are getting lots of buzz. (Aria recently appointed Kornél Magyar as Musical Director.) 

Le Méridien will be closed for the first half of 2016 for renovations, before being reflagged as the Ritz-Carlton. There are currently 88 Ritz-Carlton hotels around the globe.