SimplyAbuDhabi XLIX

S ome hotels provide a vantage point from which to discover a city. Anantara NewYork Palace Budapest feels like part of the discovery itself. Standing proudly on Erzsébet Boulevard on the Pest side of the Danube, the palatial building has been turning heads since 1894, when it opened as the European headquarters of the NewYork Life Insurance Company. Architect Alajos Hauszmann drew freely from Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau influences, creating a Belle Époque confection whose ornate façade, soaring columns, frescoes, and chandeliers still deliver a delicious sense of theatre. That grandeur provides the backdrop for an experience in which Anantara’s warm, intuitive hospitality is every bit as memorable as its surroundings. Dinner at the White Salon makes an elegant introduction. Inspired by the great European brasseries of old, the restaurant brings a contemporary sensibility to Hungarian and international flavours, while retaining the occasion and ceremony befitting its historic setting. The following morning reveals a more intimate side of the palace. For the Signature Sunrise Breakfast, the White Salon’s balcony becomes a private perch from which to savour traditional Hungarian pastries, home- baked breads, and continental favourites, attended by dedicated waiters. It is a wonderfully privileged way to experience one of Budapest’s most celebrated interiors before surrendering to another of the city’s great traditions: wellness. Where Budapest’s Golden Age Lives On Anantara New York Palace Budapest Simply Abu Dhabi | 187