Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel restored to its opulent best

In the realm of five-stars, travellers are spoiled for choice. From minimalist and Zen to opulent maximalism, there's a luxury hotel to suite every taste. But does anything beat a grand hotel lovingly renovated to meet contemporary expectations?

With their remarkable architecture, august clientele lists and rich history, grand hotels epitomise the five-star dream.

The originators of luxury on a large scale, grand hotels first sprang up in Europe in the 1800s to meet the onslaught of travellers for which the railway age opened the gates.

The Langham London (Europe's first grand hotel), Le Grande in Paris (now an Intercontinental) and Vienna's Grand Hotel Wien are just some of these storied centres of society. Many are destinations unto themselves.

The Hungarian capital has recently seen its own landmark grand hotel undergo renovation.

Now part of the Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas portfolio, Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel on the Pest edge of the Danube, is Belle Epoque to the max. Designed by famed Hungarian architect, Alajos Hauszmann, the property is a dazzling confection of Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau influences.

Built between 1891 and 1895 it gets its name from being created for the New York Life Insurance Company.

An extensive refurbishment includes reimagining the guest rooms and suites, a glamorous new lobby and Atrium and updates to the iconic New York Cafe, where early 20th Century literati gathered for coffee. Legend has it Hungary's most celebrated playwright, Ferenc Molnar threw the front door key into the Danube one night, in order to prevent the cafe closing.

There's also a new Anantara Spa reflecting the company's Thai roots and some quirky guest activities and excursions, including a city tour in a vintage VW campervan.

Rooms from $340. See Anantara.com