GETTING THE 'TRIBE' VIBE IN BUDAPEST!

Having travelled to Budapest on numerous occasions since 1998, I still get that frisson of excitement when viewing one of the world’s great city panoramas from the window-seat of a yellow tram, which criss-cross the Danube River numerous times each day. Or indeed, aboard a sightseeing cruise boat, arguably the best way to admire Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Liberty Statue on the Gellért Hill.

The tram window frames the eastern bank of the river, with the domed and neo-gothic Hungarian Parliament Building which dominates ‘Pest’, whilst the elevated 'Buda' Castle Quarter, has looked down upon the city since the 14th century with imperious and autocratic flair, both of which hold UNESCO World Heritage status alongside Andrássy Avenue.

They are symbols of Hungary, unmissable parts of any visit. Similarly, bathing in the thermal waters of another world-famous site ‘Széchenyi Baths’ is a must; one of Europe’s largest spa complexes and whose opulent corridors wrap their arms around you, offering majestic Zsolnay tiles, statues and mosaics to imbue, even before reaching the thermal waters. The mood-boosting yellow neo-renaissance architecture adorns the interior thermal pools, saunas and restaurants.

Budapest interplays between ‘old and new’

The list of must-do’s and must-see’s include sampling Goulash, Lángos (fried bread) and Palinka (spirit); I also make a beeline for Tramline no. 2, selected by National Geographic Magazine as one of the most beautiful tram routes in the world. It runs beside the mighty Danube River on the 'Pest' side of the city, ticking-off ‘Central Market Hall’ designed and completed by Hungarian architect Samy Pecz in 1897 and then curving a path intimately close to the parliament building.

Budapest, like London, Paris and New York, is a progressive and evolving capital, which means every visit conjures-up new experiences or more historic trails to follow. The juxtaposition between ‘old and new’ is no better exemplified than by the ‘House of Music Hungary’ and the ‘Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum’. The former only opened in January 2022 within the leafy surrounds of City Park. Designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, the gold-leaf design, undulating canopy punctuated with holes, creates a seamless extension between the nature-focused setting of the park, before taking visitors on a journey into the world of music.

Whereas, the ‘Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum’ is a timeline in history and Hungarian ingenuity. Situated in a 10km natural cave network below Buda castle, it was first used in the 13th century but really came to prominence in WWII, firstly, as an air-raid shelter and then medical facility in 1944-45, complete with operating theatre, used during the siege of Budapest, and during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, before ending life as a nuclear bunker during the cold war.

This interplay between past, present and future keeps pulling visitors back to Budapest, whether as a leisure, business or conference traveller. Many historic buildings, hide diverse and impressive spaces, such as the ‘Mai Mano House’, whose grand interiors and decorative neo-renaissance façade is now a focal point for Hungarian photography. Along the same street, the ‘Ernst House’ is a flourish of Art Nouveau architecture, now offering a permanent home to the work of Hungarian photo-journalist Robert Capa.

Join the ‘Tribe’ and join the future

Budapest’s fusion of architectural styles and multiculturism is influencing the future development of the Hungarian capital. These influences around modernism and progress, cleverly unveiled itself in the form of my accommodation – TRIBE Budapest Stadium hotel; located between the Ferencváros Football Stadium, MVM Dome concert venue and a sprinkling of major corporations, all calling district IX home, and adding to the area’s growing vibrancy and commercial popularity.

One of the hotel’s major advantages is being moments from Metro line 3, Station Népliget, whisking you to the city-centre in around 10-minutes, whilst on the hotel’s doorstep is Tramline 1, which circuits the periphery of the city and can deposit you within touching distance to Széchenyi Baths, Heroes Square and Andrássy Avenue. Ferenc Liszt Airport is a mere 20-minutes away in the opposite direction.

At first glimpse, you could be forgiven for thinking the hotel’s architect may have taken inspiration from the Rubik’s Cube, as the building has an attractive geometric shape to fit its corner plot and clad by vertical, multi-coloured batons which combine to announce that you have arrived somewhere rather special. Rubik’s inventor Ernő Rubik is a famous son of Hungary, rather aptly he studied sculpture at the Academy of Applied Arts & Design and Architecture at the Technical University, both in Budapest.

The ‘TRIBE’ vibe is instantaneous as one emerges from the revolving doors, with young receptionists greeting new arrivals beside counters displaying TRIBE merchandise, including hoodies and a 24-hour Grab & Go tuck-shop, all stylised in the distinctive black & white 'TRIBE' livery.

Thus, the scene has been set for a relaxed, creative and trendy stay, as the free-flowing lounge, restaurant and bar, clusters seamlessly beyond the reception, collectively forming the beating heart and hub of the hotel. Each area talks to one another in a sophisticated design language, which is easily interpreted and used by guests for a multitude of reasons, from co-working spaces to a local meeting-point over cocktails or barista-style coffee.  

The ever-present ground-floor soundtrack, evaporates as soon as you hit the lifts and are elevated above the IBIS rooms on floors 5 & 6, and onto floors 7 & 8 for the TRIBE rooms. The softly lit corridors with dark colour palate, continues into the bedrooms, which feel modern, vibrant and sophisticated, offering all the expected quality amenities without over embellishment.

The floor-to-ceiling windows flood rooms with natural daylight, enabling the darkly decorated walls and comfy beds to provide deeply peaceful sleep by night. State-of-the-art technology, automatically adjusts the air-conditioning temperatures according to the number of guests present. Kevin Murphy bathroom amenities, rain showers and Nespresso coffee machines provide the cherry on the cake.

On the 9th and final floor, the TRIBE wow-factor really hits home with Cloud IX Sky Bar commanding epic views over the city. Alongside the ground floor spaces, the lofty bar is touted to become a beacon of social networking; a place where professionals, leisure travellers and digital nomads of all ages, can come to relax, engage and dine, whilst sipping cocktails, mocktails and craft beers in front of an even larger set of floor-to-ceiling windows. Even Cloud IX’s ceiling slats, have gill-like automation, allowing fresh air to permeate the space.

For a final flourish, the 9th floor is home to the ‘TRIBE'S’ roof-top running track, just another example of this lifestyle brand hitting the touch-points of modern trends in hospitality, lifestyle and work-life balance.