Any celebrity guests?
I try to welcome each guest personally. These have included Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Sting, James Brown, Robin Cook, Helmut Kohl. I could continue!
Any strange requests?
The most unusual request was when I had to arrange delivery of a prosthetic hand from Vienna since one of our guests had left it in the hotel he was staying in previously. Also a Japanese guest once asked for instant glue to fix his teeth.
What do you suggest for a day out in Budapest?
I am from Budapest and my favourite places are the City Park and Castle district - they are beautiful and the park is such a peaceful oasis for quiet strolls. The hotel itself is situated in the heart of the capital and its central location, on the Pest bank of the Danube, makes it the ideal starting point for foreign visitors. We overlook Elizabeth Park, which is stunning in spring, and are only a few steps from the Danube and close to theatres and museums. However, if guests are short of time they should certainly squeeze in a visit to our parliament, which houses the crown jewels, and the Opera House.
The hotel is a bit of a city landmark too, isn't it?
Yes. The designers were Jozsef Finta, the leading architect in Hungary, and Antal Puhl who integrated it harmoniously into its surroundings, yet allowed it to be strikingly modern. Budapest has been developing dramatically in the last couple of years with numerous new shopping malls, offices and now a lot of new hotels under construction. It's a stimulating city to live and work in.
What about a night out?
The most exciting restaurants include Restaurant Corvinus at the Kempinski and the world famous Gundel in the City Park. The best places to try Hungarian specialities like goulash soup, goose liver, fish soup and desserts like somloi cake, Esterhazy cake and strudel are Restaurant Kacsa and Restaurant Rezkakas. Afterwards, I would recommend the Moulin Rouge, a night bar which has been recently renovated. They serve a great vodka martini and the atmosphere is buzzing.
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus reservations: 020 8307 7693
Rooms from DM520 (£163)
