Juhász Gyula - Szántó András: Hotels - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1999)

tions. The building was equipped with virtually everything contemporary technology had to offer. Its 102 rooms provided guests, mainly foreign notabilities, with an exquisite panorama. In 1926, after proprietorial disputes, the building was considerably reconstructed. Its section overlooking Petőfi tér continued to function under the name of Carlton Hotel until 1944 when it perished in the bombardments, while its other part, retaining the name Bristol, underwent extensive modernisation when, for example, the American Bar, an establishment soon to become fashionable, was opened.

Electric lighting, central heating, hot and cold water in the bathrooms, a wireless and a telephone were laid on in every room. Needless to say, the main attraction was still the panoramic view. Across the Danube were the Royal Palace, the Fishermen’s Bastion, Gellért Hill and the whole hilly area of Buda. Another noteworthy feature was the vicinity of the Tabán, a district squatting on the other side of the river, tempting hotel guests to discover its narrow winding streets and snug family restaurants.

Every afternoon and at dinnertime, too, a band played in the hotel lobby providing music for the ladies and

The Hotel Bristol

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