Gresham Palace is a fine example of Art Nouveau architecture and is now the Four Seasons Hotel. In 1880, the London-based Gresham Life Assurance Company decided to build its foreign headquarters on the site, commissioning local architects Zsigmond Quittner and Jozsef Vago to design the new building. The palace was completed in 1906 and named after the 16th-century English financier Sir Thomas Gresham, the founder of the Royal Exchange in London. The palace served as an office building and residence for senior staff of the Gresham company. During the Soviet occupation after World War II, the Red Army used the building as a barracks; it became an apartment building during the People's Republic of Hungary. In 1990, the national government presented the palace to the city of Budapest. It was renovated into the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest Gresham Palace, which opened in 2004. Original details such as the large staircase, stained glass, mosaics, ironwork, and winter gardens were restored. The exterior, in Art Nouveau style, has an ornamental facade with round pilasters, a curved roof line and embellishments over the windows. The hotel is beautifully lit at night and is open at all times.

The Four Seasons Gresham Palace is gorgeous; it's like taking a step back in time. From the moment you step into the lobby with the historical stained glass windows, you know you are in a special place. The bedrooms are stylish, large, and extremely comfortable. The hotel's location is perfect, right on the river with spectacular views. We normally don't eat at hotel restaurants, but the Kollazs Brasserie and Bar is a must. Our only regret is that we didn't have enough nights to eat there multiple times. The staff at the hotel are professional and ear, working hard to meet every need. The concierge, on a few hours notice, managed to book us a private speedboat for a nighttime tour of Budapest to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We loved visiting Budapest, and based on our experience, we wouldn't stay anywhere, but at the Gresham Palace.

One is in awe when one visits Budapest. The architecture of this Imperial city is so magnificent that I can't put enough word to describe it. A city built by the Habsburg dynasty and proclaimed it as their Imperial capital; The Austro-Hungarian Empire. And the Gresham Palace is one of those buidlings, and worth a visit.

We couldn’t afford the room rate, so we had to settle for afternoon team stead. Very good value, nice setting. The food was very good and quantity was plenty. Staff is very professional and friendly. The hotel is beautiful, right in front of the bridge.

Great location wonderful rooms wonderful art deco interiors. This is a Four Seasons that feels like a Four Seasons. Still a large hotel but friendly and helpful. Good location and will be even better once the bridge opp the front door is reconstructed and open again - rather a long way across to the Pest side.

The four seasons who have taken over this grand palatial place should be more welcoming of tourists all season. Especially, winter season.

Overlooking Szechenyi ter, Gresham Palace once held the offices of a life-insurance company; today it houses of Budapest's top hotels - Four seasons. To this day it is the most beautiful and one of the largest buildings in Budapest. Even if you're not a guest, ogle its glorious facade and stroll thought its luxurious lobby (lobby open 24 hours daily). Be sure to get a good look at the Gresham Palace's fine facade - consider circling around the park and looking back. Be careful when you cross the street - there is no pedestrian demarcation! Damaged in World War II, the building was an eyesore for decades. Reportedly, an aging local actress refused to move out, so developers had to wait for her to, ahem, vacate before they could reclaim the building. In 1999, the Gresham Palace was meticulously restored to its former glory. Saunter into the lobby and absorb the gorgeous details. For example, not only did they have to re-crate the unique decorative tiles - they had to rebuild the original machines that made the tiles. Our preliminary plans included visiting Kollazs Cafe, which is located in the hotel lobby - but looking at the menu and prices, we decided to skip this pleasure. The cafe looks respectable and the prices are there $$$$.

Beautiful former palace now an upmarket hotel. Worth a visit. Free access for a look at the foyer. Have a coffee and soak up the beautiful interior.

The architecture is gorgeous, and the history of the palace is fascinating (in Eastern Europe, a "palace" is simply a large, ornate building). In the 1880s, it was illegal for British insurance companies to invest in stocks, but they could buy real estate. So the Gresham Insurance Company built the Gresham Palace, named after the English financier Sir Thomas Gresham, who founded the Royal Exchange in London in the sixteenth century. After World War II, the building was used as a barracks by Red Army troops, and then became an apartment building. The “palace” became more and more decrepit, but was finally bought by Four Seasons Hotels and completely refurbished, while retaining the Art Nouveau style and much of the original decorations. Well worth visiting.

We pre- booked the afternoon tea and despite arriving early where made to feel very welcome There were 3 varieties of savouries, scones with strawberry jam/lemon curd and clotted cream, selection of cakes and patisseries The service was impeccable The food and drinks were excellent The surroundings are beautiful - with art Nouveau decor which makes the place very elegant We had a very relaxed decadent afternoon Would wholeheartedly recommend the Gresham