Our Story

Where Eras Converge In Budapest

In homage to to the influential rute of Archduchess Dorothea and Palatine Joseph, Dorothea Hotel is a celebration of innovation and positivity where history and present converge; harmoniously evoking the Golden Age of Hungary. In every aspect we honor their the legacy. Within Pavilon Restaurant & Bar, guests can admire a living herb wall, a tribute to Palatine Joseph's favorite pastime, botany. This monumental piece not only enhances the space but also provides fresh ingredients for our kitchen and bar, inspiring each dish and cocktail with nature's finest.

The Story

The beginning of Dorothea’s story

Inspired by the 19th century, our hotel is named after Archduchess Dorothea, one of the most influential characters of the 1800s, who brought immense cultural, social and economic development to the city alongside her husband, Palatine Joseph.

Their tireless work resulted in Budapest becoming a renowned European metropolis with the same cosmopolitan essence that echoes through Dorothea Hotel as well. As keen advocates of the lifestyle and culture of the country, they were formative in the city's renaissance and development. Among their most notable achievements we can mention their support which led to the construction of the Chain Bridge, the urbanization of Pest, the transformation of Margaret Island into what it is today, or the opening of the first railway line to the public. Dorothea was also advocating for women's right to study and work, and in support of that she helped open kindergartens, a new concept at the time that helped women enter the labor market. Therefore, Archduchess Dorothea and Palatine Joseph enjoyed a favorable reputation during the Austro-Hungarian era.

Our unique design

Both the mesmerizing architecture and the sophisticated interiors were designed by the renowned Milanese company, Lissoni & Partners. Dorothea Hotel was an eight years long project for the Italian studio. With offices in Milan and New York, Lissoni & Partners has a thirty-year history in developing international projects in the fields of architecture, landscape, interior, product and graphic design, in addition to being responsible for the art direction for some of the most influential design companies.

Throughout the hotel, guests can discover tasteful environments that blend modern styles with local tradition. This idea inspired, for example, the "wall carpets made from concrete" in the Lobby, depicting traditional Hungarian patterns in a progressive way. Another astonishing example of this is the eight-story-high ceramic tile wall on each side of our heritage staircase showcasing 5000 custom tiles, the color and pattern uniquely designed for Dorothea Hotel by renowned Hungarian manufacturer, Zsolnay. The patterns on the carpets, pillows, and bedframes are also a nod to Hungarian cultural heritage.

2024 AWARDS

We are beyond delighted to have received the honor of winning multiple prestigious awards in our inaugural year. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our passionate team. Thank you to everyone for making the first year of Dorothea truly exceptional! We look forward to continuing to provide unparalleled luxury and exceptional experiences Exactly Like Nothing Else.

LUXE GLOBAL AWARDS 2024:
- Best Luxury Architectural Hotel in Hungary
- Best Luxury Leisure Hotel in Europe
- Best New Hotel Spa in Hungary
- Best Luxury Urban Escape Spa in Europe
- Best Luxury City Hotel Spa Globally
- Best Locally Sourced Produce Menu in Hungary
- Exceptional Architecture in Europe
- Best Mixologist in Europe

WORLD LUXURY AWARDS 2024:
- Best Luxury New Hotel in Eastern Europe
- Best Luxury Design Hotel in Hungary
- Best Architectural Design in Hungary
- Best Luxury New Hotel Spa in Eastern Europe
- Best Luxury City Hotel Spa in Hungary
- Best Luxury Modern Hotel Spa in Hungary

LUXURY LIFESTYLE AWARDS 2024:
Cameron McNeillie for TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of the World

ELLE DECOR ITALIA BEST OF INTERIORS AWARD 2024:
Lissoni & Partners for City Hotel

KLASSZIS TOPDESIGN 2024:
Storytelling Hotel of the Year
Capital's 5-Star Hotel of the Year

The Art

To reflect the architecture, one of the most well-known Hungarian photographers, Zoltán Tombor created thousands of photos exclusively dedicated to the hotel, out of which 499 are visible in Dorothea. The artist's thought-provoking photos tell the story of reinterpreted traditions and values as he seamlessly unites the classic and the modern, the antique and the contemporary reviving the charm of the past while celebrating the present. Around the public areas guests can admire his painting-like photos of "Dorothea" with an indicative modern twist, while in the rooms his exciting photo pairings offer a new perspective on the heritage of the buildings.

Our three historic buildings

Housed across three historic buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries in Budapest's iconic District V, Dorothea Hotel is a blend of architecture and interior design that honors both history and modernity, envisioned by acclaimed Italian architect and designer, Piero Lissoni. The three heritage buildings, forming a single entity, were established in different eras and styles. Local historic preservation experts have worked with the hotel to retain the key elements of each era.

Weber Building: Specially commissioned in 1873, the Neo-Renaissance Weber building was originally the headquarters of the United Budapest Metropolitan Savings Bank. Styled to also incorporate a courtyard, apartments, and shops, it is a glorious example of the golden age of Hungarian architecture.

Mahart Building: Originally the center of the Hungarian shipping industry, the MAHART building was constructed between 1910 and 1913 with striking Art Nouveau architecture as the headquarters of the Hungarian Shipping Corporation. Styled to reflect its use, the exterior was decorated with wavy motifs and boat shaped symmetrical balconies, whilst interiors were sumptuously appointed.

Munnich Building: An acclaimed example of Rationalism, the Munnich building, dating from 1937, brings a modernist form with art deco and Bauhaus elements to the hotel. Ahead of its time, it was constructed in a record time of only five months. It was made of reinforced concrete with limestone façade and marble interiors originally to host Futura, a joint stock company, however, later it housed many incarnations, including banks and company headquarters.

A botanic infusion

Conceived as a tribute to Palatine Joseph's love of gardening, a living herb wall creates a rich, green oasis in the heart of the city. Planted with beautiful regional vegetation and an array of herbs, the wall sits at the entrance of Pavilon Restaurant & Bar where its produce is used to complement our signature cocktails concocted by the team. An intriguing conversation starter, its use extends to the welcome signature soda drinks served in a soutache-inspired coupe glass, signature scents of the hotel and spa and the delicious special teas served after each treatment as part of our wellness care.