RETREAT ROYALE

Housed in a Unesco World Heritage site overlooking the grand Elisabeth Bridge, the Matild Palace debuted in 2021 after an intense five-year renovation to the 120-year-old Belle Epoque landmark. The hotel spans 111 lavishly dressed rooms along with 19 suites, each a love letter to Hungarian culture with accents like locally crafted headboards, Hungarian-style fish bone parquet floors, and artworks referencing Budapest literature. Spring for the one-bedroom Crown Tower Suite, featuring a private 157-foot tower with 360-degree views of the Danube river and the red, brown, and orange rooftops of the sprawling cityscape. There’s also a gourmet restaurant on the property by Wolfgang Puck, plus a gilded cocktail bar with a secret liquor library. Rooms begin at $400 per night. marriott.com/en-us/hotels/budlc-matild-palace

SUPERIOR SIP

The self-designated “most beautiful cafe in the world” backs up its ambitious claim with grandeur, washed from head-to-toe in hand-painted Italian Renaissance frescoes, commanding marble columns, and golden accents. Originally opened in 1894, the New York Cafe became an artist’s haven in the 20th century, the go-to locale for Hungary’s most prominent writers, entertainers, and journalists. Today, sink into a velvet chair to sip afternoon tea or sparkling wine alongside snacks like duck liver terrine with apricot chutney and Hungarian cheeses with fig chutney. Larger, more formal dishes span pink dust breast fillet with cherry, beef sirloin with sour cream salad and foamy mashed potatoes, and grilled trout fillet with mint pea risotto. newyorkcafe.hu

MAGIC MIX

Since Boutiq debuted in 2008, the specialty cocktail bar has been racking up awards like shot glasses, dubbed the Best Bar in Hungary by the Dining Guide, and earning a spot on the World’s 50 Best list, to name a few. Founded by British mixology legend Zoltán Nagy, Boutiq features an intimate, speakeasy-inspired interior, cloaked in rich red walls softly illuminated by dim vintage lighting. The mixologists undergo rigorous training before earning their spot behind the bar, where they use exotic ingredients like African vanilla, almond cordial, and Mexican chili to mix creative drinks. Expect live DJs on the weekends. boutiqbar.com

DINNER & A SHOW

Only when guests arrive in the general area on the night of their reservation are they given the exact location of Rumour, an exclusive, private-dinner concept hidden behind a secret door. Once inside, patrons are treated to a culinary show from chef/owner Jenő Rácz, a Hungarian-born cusinier who returned to his homeland after sharpening his skills in kitchens all over the world. There are only 21 fiery red leather bar stools encircling the open kitchen, where Rácz whips up stunningly plated dishes like foie gras fashioned into the shape of a Fabergé egg, “burnt” cauliflower draped in brown butter hollandaise, and succulent duck with Chinese black garlic. There’s also a “pre-theater” menu offered daily at a slashed rate. rumour.restaurant

SOAK AND SHINE

Szechnyi thermal bath spa in Budapest Hungary – travel background

The bathhouse is integral to Hungarian culture, dating back millennia to the ancient Roman empire. Szechenyi, a 110-year-old thermal bath complex set a short 15 minutes from the center of town, is touted as the largest medicinal bath on the entire continent, comprising 15 indoor baths and three massive outdoor geothermal pools, along with saunas, steam rooms, a fitness center, and a rooftop spa. Upgrade your experience with a host of add-ons like a beer soak (the yeast used to brew beer is deeply nourishing for the skin), aromatherapy massage, and nail services. For the late-night crowd, Szechenyi hosts a “Sparty” every Saturday night, replete with masked dancers, neon lights and lasers, and live music. szechenyibath.com