Al Habtoor Group presents Al Habtoor Palace Budapest: the new era of luxury hotels in Europe
In a landmark moment, global conglomerate Al Habtoor Group has officially launched its ultra-luxury brand, Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, bringing the first Emirati luxury hotel brand to Europe. The grand opening ceremony was held at the hotel’s exclusive location on Elisabeth Square in the heart of Budapest. Diplomatic dignitaries, business leaders, industry experts, and international media representatives attended the event to witness the launch of this exceptional property.
The opening of the Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is a strategic milestone for the Al Habtoor Group, coinciding with the company’s 55th anniversary and further strengthening its global expansion strategy. The new ultra-luxury hotel is a harmonious blend of Dubai’s legendary hospitality standards and Budapest’s rich European heritage, taking the city’s luxury hotel scene to a new level.
A vision of luxury that transcends borders
Al Habtoor Hospitality’s story began in 1979 with the opening of the Metropolitan Hotel in Dubai, marking the beginning of home-grown hospitality in the UAE. As Dubai evolved into a global hub for luxury, innovation, and unique experiences, so did Al Habtoor Hospitality, setting a new benchmark for excellence and sophistication. Over the decades, the group has steadily expanded, shaping Dubai’s hospitality industry with iconic properties such as Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, and the iconic Al Habtoor City lifestyle resort, redefining the concept of ultra-luxury hospitality in the region.
Al Habtoor Hospitality – 14 hotels worldwide
Today, Al Habtoor Hospitality operates 14 hotels worldwide, in the UAE, the UK, the US, Austria, Hungary, and Lebanon. This has made Al Habtoor Hospitality the first pioneering Arab hospitality brand in Dubai, creating world-class services, iconic developments, and revolutionary hospitality concepts. Now, with the opening of Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, it has become the first Arab hospitality brand to enter the European market, bringing Arab hospitality, impeccable service, and unparalleled luxury to the heart of Central Europe.
Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group, said, “It is a strategic move that reinforces our long-term vision to expand the Al Habtoor Group’s global presence and bring our heritage of excellence to new markets.“
He added: “For over five decades, we have been building not just businesses, but institutions that set new standards. The opening of Al Habtoor Palace Budapest demonstrates our commitment to representing Arab excellence on a global scale. This is just the beginning as we continue to look for new investment and expansion opportunities in Budapest and beyond. Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is a milestone in the evolution of our hospitality business and reflects our belief in growth, innovation, and uncompromising luxury. This is the dawn of a new era for Al Habtoor Hospitality, and I am excited to see our vision come to fruition in the years to come.“
Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice President and General Manager of Al Habtoor Group, said, “Our mission has always been to provide exceptional experiences, and with this opening, we bring Al Habtoor Hospitality’s world-renowned hospitality and services from Dubai to Europe. This is a defining moment for our hospitality division as we introduce a brand that embodies personalised service, world-class comfort, and a commitment to excellence. We are excited for our guests to experience the pinnacle of luxury at Al Habtoor Palace Budapest.“
A unique blend of culture and hospitality
Located in one of Budapest’s most exclusive squares, Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is a masterpiece of early 20th-century architecture, now a reinterpreted symbol of timeless luxury for the modern age. The property’s design blends sophisticated European grandeur with contemporary Arabian luxury, offering guests a truly unique and sophisticated experience.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts partnership
To further strengthen its position as a world-class luxury destination, Al Habtoor Palace Budapest has announced that it has officially joined the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection—the highest category in the brand’s portfolio of the world’s most iconic and sought-after independent hotels. This exclusive partnership provides guests with the opportunity to join the ‘I Prefer Hotel Rewards’ programme, the world’s largest loyalty programme for independent hotel chains. This allows members to enjoy exclusive benefits, room upgrades, and VIP services at Preferred Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide.
Rahim Abu Omar, General Manager of Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, said, “This partnership gives us the opportunity to reach discerning travellers who seek the highest standards of luxury and personalised service. We are proud to join this prestigious collection and look forward to welcoming travellers from around the world to experience the sophistication and hospitality of our brand.“
“We are honoured to welcome Al Habtoor Palace Budapest as the newest member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ esteemed Legend Collection, following the addition of its sister property, Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, last October,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. She added, “This marks the continuation of a successful partnership united by our shared passion for exceptional independent hospitality experiences.“
Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President, Preferred Hotels & Resorts Europe, added, “This partnership further strengthens our expansion in Central Europe, seamlessly blending the rich heritage of the region with the world-class services of the Al Habtoor Group, setting a new standard of luxury. Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is a valuable addition to our global portfolio, elevating the travel experience for discerning guests worldwide.“
A benchmark in luxury hospitality in Budapest
Budapest’s growing reputation as a luxury travel destination has provided Al Habtoor Group with an ideal entry point for the expansion of its ultra-luxury brand in Europe. The company has been present in Hungary since 2012 and has become one of the largest Arab and foreign investment groups in the country.
Al Habtoor Palace Budapest stands out thanks to:
- Personalised luxury – Unique valet service, carefully crafted guest experiences, and unparalleled hospitality.
- Gastronomic excellence – The iconic Ottimo restaurant combines Arabic and Italian cuisine with an international fine dining experience.
- Unique guest benefits – Guests can enjoy exclusive discounts at both Al Habtoor Palace Budapest and Al Habtoor Palace Dubai, ensuring a seamless global luxury experience.
With this expansion, Al Habtoor Group is redefining the Budapest stay experience and introducing a comprehensive hospitality concept that combines tradition and modern luxury.
An exciting future ahead
As part of its global expansion strategy, the Al Habtoor Group has ambitious plans to bring its hospitality brand to other key international markets. The opening of Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is a milestone that paves the way for European and international growth. Al Habtoor Palace Budapest is now welcoming guests, and the group invites travellers from around the world to experience the highest levels of luxury in the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant cities.
About Al Habtoor Group
The Al Habtoor Group was founded in 1970 by Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor and has since grown to become one of the Middle East’s most prominent and diversified business conglomerates. Its interests range from hospitality to real estate development, automotive, education, and publishing. The group is known for iconic projects such as Al Habtoor City, Al Habtoor Polo Resort, and Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai. Continuing its tradition of pioneering excellence, the Al Habtoor Group continues to expand its global presence and take its unique hospitality approach to new international markets. The group’s hospitality division now operates 14 luxury hotels worldwide, in the UAE, the UK, the US, Austria, Hungary, and Lebanon.
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