Autograph Collection Debuts in Hungary With Dorothea Hotel

The District V hotel combines a block of three buildings of different eras and styles. It is named for Maria Dorothea, Archduchess of Württemberg, an influential public figure of the 1800s. Together with Archduke Joseph Habsburg, the Palantine or governor of Hungary (she was his third wife), she brought significant cultural and economic development to the capital.

Designed by acclaimed Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, the Dorothea Hotel is a tribute to history and modernity. The trinity of buildings that comprise the hotel dates from three distinct periods. The Weber House (1873) was the former headquarters of the First National Savings Bank of Pest and has neo-Renaissance features; the Mahart House, from 1913, is the former Art Nouveau headquarters of the Hungarian River and Shipping Company; and the Münnich House (1937), a building combining modernist and art deco elements, once served as the headquarters of Futura Ltd.

During the development, the historic elements of each building, including a remarkable historic staircase, were preserved and restored in cooperation with local heritage conservationists. 

Entering the hotel, guests are greeted by a colonnade with richly decorated ceilings and walls. The reception area in the spacious courtyard holds a spectacular long drop-shaped glass chandelier, and to the right is the fully restored monumental staircase, hidden behind a blue Zsolnay tiled wall.

The Dorothea’s 216 guest rooms and suites are divided into two distinct design categories, Contemporary and Heritage, each with modern amenities; the latter feature four-poster beds with canopies.

Crown-jewel

The hotel’s crown jewel is the top-floor Presidential Suite, comprising a master bedroom, built-in wardrobe, en-suite bathroom, infrared sauna, living room and dining area with a fully equipped kitchen. The suite features 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious wrap-around terrace with a jacuzzi, comfortable seating area, and breathtaking views of the city panorama.

The Pavilion Restaurant & Bar is in the heart of the hotel, in an inner courtyard with the atmosphere of a green oasis. The restaurant, run by chef Carmine di Luggo, reimagines the urban dining experience with gourmet dishes based on local ingredients and following a farm-to-table concept.

Each Autograph Collection hotel offers a unique experience specific to the hotel. In the case of the Dorothea Hotel, this unique feature is based on the theme of herbs, paying homage to Archduke Joseph, a botanical enthusiast. In the Pavilion, guests will find a sprawling wall of herbs and plants used in the cocktails and dishes served in the hotel’s restaurants.

On the ground floor, Anton’s Bar & Deli offers artisan coffees, light bites and freshly baked pastries by day, transforming into a dynamic bar and social space with a bubbly atmosphere and innovative cocktails in the evening. Next year, the hotel will open two more restaurants, both run by three Michelin-starred chef Dani García: BiBo, an Andalusian brasserie on the rooftop with stunning panoramic views of Buda, and Alelí, an authentic Italian osteria on the street front.

Wellness-loving guests can unwind in the 650 sqm spa with a swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and fitness room. Holistic body treatments can be enjoyed in three treatment rooms, including a doubles room.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of December 1, 2023.