The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, owned by UAE-based Al Habtoor Group has effectively left the Starwood Hotels chain to join the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company.

Previously belonging to the Le Méridien brand under the Starwood Group, the hotel has now been temporarily named The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, A Ritz-Carlton Partner Hotel, before being re-launched as The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest in Spring 2016.

Located on St Erzsebet Square with commanding views over St Stephen’s Basilica in the heart of the city, the 198-room hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation which includes the addition of The Ritz-Carlton Club, new luxury suites and fresh concepts at the hotel’s dining outlets. 

“It is an honour to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to Hungary at the heart of this vibrant capital city. We are looking forward to opening the newest European hotel in Budapest in 2016,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operating officer.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Ritz-Carlton for such an exquisite property to build on our unique portfolio of hotels. We are bringing together two of the best names in the business, both dedicated to offering world-class luxury and hospitality. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the renewed property in early 2016,” said Mohammed Al Habtoor, vice-chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group, the hotel’s owner.

Marcus A Loevenforst has been appointed as the general manager to lead the hotel team at the historic location and oversee the transformation of the hotel into the first Hungarian property for The Ritz-Carlton portfolio.

Loevenforst, originally from Germany, brings more than 23 years of luxury hospitality experience spanning several continents and locations, including Stuttgart, Miami, San Francisco, Cleveland and Toronto. He has also worked with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Berlin, Bahrain, Moscow and Naples, most recently serving as vice president, operations for EDITION hotels. – TradeArabia News Service