InterContinental Budapest

The InterContinental Budapest Hotel is located on the Danube bank and surrounded by some of Budapest’s landmarks, such as Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the former Royal Palace and the Parliament Building.[1]

History of the InterContinental Budapest

In the early 1900s the Danube-riverside was adorned by a row of hotels. The Carlton, Bristol, Grand Hotel Hungaria and Dunapalota-Ritz hotels were noted among the finest hotels thanks to their spectacular view, excellent kitchen and services meeting all needs of guests. After World War II this row of hotels was almost totally destroyed. Its rebirth started at the end of the 60s with the construction of the Duna InterContinental of that time – today Budapest Marriott Hotel.

Birth of the InterContinental Budapest – until 6 May 1997 the Forum Hotel – was made possible by a favourable credit contract after an Austrian-Hungarian government agreement. The construction was started in July 1979 based on the plans of the architect József Finta and the interior designer László Király.

The hotel opened its doors on 28 November 1981 under the name of the Forum Hotel owned by a state-owned company, called HungarHotels. After the Danube InterContinental it was the second hotel operated on a franchise agreement. The success was proved by the fact that the credit with interest given for 15 years was returned in the 7th year of operation.

In 1994 as the second phase of privatization the Forum Hotel went over into ÁPV RT’s ownership (as a state property) in order to prepare its sale. The tender took place in three phases. The first turn was invalid, at the second one Daewoo won, but after the announcement it was invalidated considering formal defects, and the third one InterContinental won. As of 1 November 1996 InterContinental owned the hotel with 95% after half a year the company bought the remaining 5% of employee shares. The contract contained the obligatory renovation condition and the restriction of no redundancies within a year. The name change from Forum to InterContinental took place on 6 May 1997. Thanks to the renovation between 1998 and 2000 the hotel became a 5-star property.

The Hotel during World War II

At the time of the World War II the Portuguese Consulate in Budapest was located in the building of the Hotel Dunapalota-Ritz, which was on the same site as InterContinental Budapest nowadays. In 1944, the diplomats Carlos de Sampayo Garrido (Ambassador) and Alberto Teixeira Branquinho (Chargé d'affaires) granted entry visas to Portugal to those refugees persecuted and threatened with imprisonment and death by Nazi Germany and its Hungarian allies. They acted under instructions and with the full backing of the conservative and authoritarian Portuguese regime[2] and their actions made it possible for approximately 1000 Jewish refugees to escape The Holocaust and find in Portugal a gateway to safety and freedom.[3]

Notable Guests at the Hotel

Awards

The Hotel has won several awards since its opening under the name of InterContinental Budapest in 1997, including:

Sources

Milgram, Avraham. Portugal, Salazar, and the Jews, translated by Naftali Greenwood. Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, 2011 ISBN 9789653083875.

References

  1. ↑ "HUNGARY: INTERCONTINENTAL BUDAPEST HOTEL REVIEW: PERFECT LOCATION WITH SUPERB BUSINESS SERVICES.". Financial Times Ltd., from Infoprod, via Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. May 11, 2005. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  2. ↑ Milgram p. 261-63.
  3. ↑ "Spared Lives: The Actions of Three Portuguese Diplomats During World War II". The Newark Public Library. August 24, 2000. Retrieved 2009-07-28. PAGE NUMBER NEEDED.
  4. ↑ "THE WINNERS OF BEST OF BUDAPEST AWARD GALA 2008". Budapest Week Publishing. March 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-03.

External links

Coordinates: 47°29′53″N 19°02′52″E / 47.49810°N 19.04765°E