Kempinski Hotel Corvinus in Budapest - Image: Elaine de Wet
My first time in Budapest (pronounced Budda-pesh)! The first things I notice is the incredible friendliness of the people, the cleanliness of the streets and the wonderful sunny day - 31 degrees! It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, after all. Budapest is located in central East Europe within the Carpathian Basin and with a population of close to two million is the largest city in Hungary.
A dash of modern boldness welcomes guests to the Kempinski Hotel - Images: Elaine de Wet
Hubby and I are joining an
APT (Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd) Tour group in Budapest for a whirlwind month of Europe and this is our first port of call. Our accommodation for the first night was booked at the
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus in Budapest, all pre-organised by APT.
The Kempinski Hotel boasts its own Gastronomic Quarter - Image: Elaine de Wet
The
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest opened in 1992, adding a dash of modern boldness to downtown Budapest. The four facades of this extremely welcoming hotel, mirror the fabric of this vibrant city. The ground floor was recently refurbished with the focus on four pillars of its ethos - beauty, gourmet, culture and savoir-vivre (knowledge of life). The Kempinski Hotel boasts its own Gastronomic Quarter in downtown Budepest with comfortable lounges and terraces extending onto the pedestrianised Fashion Street, with all the brand names one can enjoy in other large cities in the world.
Spacious bathrooms with all the necessary luxuries - Image: Elaine de Wet
With our luggage firmly ensconced in a beautifully appointed suite and feeling somewhat exhausted after a thirty hour journey to reach this, our first destination, our first priority was to commence exploring the beautiful city of Budapest and…of course, to stay awake for as long as we feasibly could.
Admire the city from a-high on the Ferris Wheel - Image: Elaine de Wet
is a short stroll from the Danube River and comprises 349 rooms with spacious bathrooms and the all-important free wi-fi. Hubby and I took a stroll around the hotel and enjoyed the liveliness of the city - people on Segways (a quick mode of transport?), the Ferris Wheel just outside the hotel and the Eat Street Markets, with locals and tourists alike, loving the long hot summer days.
Locals and tourists enjoying the long hot summer day - Image: Elaine de Wet
Time for sundowners? Back to the Kempinski Hotel to
The Living Room - The Kempinski's famous coffee house with a stylish relaxed ambience perfect for a coffee or an alcoholic beverage.
Stylish, relaxed ambience in The Living Room - Image: Elaine de Wet
The Living Room offers rich coffees, fine teas and an excellent cake selection for teetotallers (just in case you're not like me, who was in search of something a bit stronger)!
Tonight's forecast - definitely! Image: Elaine de Wet
We couldn't pass up the opportunity of having dinner on the summer terrace at
És Bisztró, a modern bistro and steakhouse, also within the Kempinski Hotel's repertoire of restaurants and bars.
Deliciously, decadent dinner is served! Images: Elaine de Wet
Contemporary Hungarian-Viennese dishes are served at the És Bisztró as well as grilled meats, fish and burgers.
A crash course in the important Hungarian expressions - Image: Elaine de Wet
For starters, my better half enjoyed a goose-liver pate made with Tokaji wine and served with stewed fruits and brioche. Our steaks were cooked to perfection and I had mine accompanied with a Hungarian watermelon salad.
In summer the És Bisztró grow their own herbs on the rooftop of the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, which ensures the freshest basil, mint, thyme, rosemary and sage.
Balance your day with a good brekkie - Images: Elaine de Wet
As we were booked in for Bed and Breakfast, our breakfast was served at the És Bisztró as well.
Breakfast dining area - Image: Elaine de Wet
This generally mediocre meal in my life proved to be a tantalising feast sensation of everything that one could imagine on offer in a buffet. From basic continental fare of croissants and home-baked breads to the more luxurious delights of an English Breakfast. Want to stay healthy whilst on holiday? Then try the daily special energy shot created from a fruit, a vegetable and a herb. The breakfast buffet offers homemade jams and chocolate, certified artisan cold cuts and cheeses. The Hungarian speciality 'lecsó' is made from egg, tomatoes and bell pepper and with vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free choices available ensures that all tastes are catered to. Speciality coffees, signature teas and a juice bar round off this fabulously abundant breakfast feast.
Abundant breakfast feast - Images: Elaine de Wet
Needless to say, this was the start of my seemingly never-ending intake of delectable food. No wonder I've come home three kilograms heavier.
Hubby and I loved the friendliness and vibrancy of the city of Budapest and came away with the feeling of 'wanting more', so perhaps a return trip one day in the future could be on the cards and a return reservation at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus with its friendly and hospitable staff, would definitely not go amiss!
We loved the vibrancy and friendliness of this wonderful city - Images: Elaine de Wet
