The man with the sign ‘Grand Hotel Royal’ awaits me on the platform at Keleti station. He takes my bags and me to the hotel. The doorman opens the car. Arrived – home. Tamás Ungár, the chief concierge greets from the concierge box, the reception produces my keycard. Bell captain József Rácz sends my luggage upstairs. Arrived. Checked-in. Back home
While collecting my breakfast, I read newspapers and E-mails at the business centre, overlooking the lobby. The reception is busy checking guests in and out. A photographer tries to persuade a model to pose for the Hungarian edition of Vogue and a friendly waitress asks me if I’d like some more juice.
There never was a better time to visit the Grand Hotel Royal. Hungary has finally returned into the arms of Europe, Budapest is sparkling and shining as it used to a hundred years ago, the hotel has been saved and reopened by Alfred Pisani, the far-sighted owner of Corinthia hotels, and tourism is booming.
Andreas Augustin
