Mystery Hotel Budapest: The hotel designed for likes

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN
6 minute read
Published 6:03 AM EST, Mon December 23, 2019
<strong>Enigmatic hotel:</strong> The Mystery Hotel Budapest is full of optical illusions, such as this Aladdin-style magic carpet that "floats" above the main reception desk.
Enigmatic hotel: The Mystery Hotel Budapest is full of optical illusions, such as this Aladdin-style magic carpet that "floats" above the main reception desk.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Freemasonry history:</strong> Located in Budapest's Terézváros district, it's set inside the former headquarters of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungarian Freemasons.
Freemasonry history: Located in Budapest's Terézváros district, it's set inside the former headquarters of the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungarian Freemasons.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Enthralling place:</strong> The grand staircase is one of various elements preserved from the original building, which dates back to 1896.
Enthralling place: The grand staircase is one of various elements preserved from the original building, which dates back to 1896.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Central point: </strong>The spectacular Great Hall serves as a dining area, a bar, as well as a lobby.
Central point: The spectacular Great Hall serves as a dining area, a bar, as well as a lobby.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Instagram friendly:</strong> Viktória Berényi, director of Business Development at the Mystery Hotel, says social media has helped to bring in a large number of bookings.
Instagram friendly: Viktória Berényi, director of Business Development at the Mystery Hotel, says social media has helped to bring in a large number of bookings.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Fresh take: </strong>Some of the suites feature headboards with a modernized version of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," complete with sunglasses and VIP passes to Budapest's Sziget Festival.<br />
Fresh take: Some of the suites feature headboards with a modernized version of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," complete with sunglasses and VIP passes to Budapest's Sziget Festival.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Arty rooms:</strong> There's also an interpretation of Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," in which the "girl" has an iPhone in her hand.
Arty rooms: There's also an interpretation of Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring," in which the "girl" has an iPhone in her hand.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>VIP treatment:</strong> During August, when the Sziget Festival is held, a lot of guests will specifically ask for rooms with the party Mona Lisa headboard.
VIP treatment: During August, when the Sziget Festival is held, a lot of guests will specifically ask for rooms with the party Mona Lisa headboard.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>'Likes' factor: </strong>"Social media is so important," says the hotel's designer Zoltán Varro. "When a guest sees something amazing and takes a picture, it can be shared with the rest of the world in seconds."
'Likes' factor: "Social media is so important," says the hotel's designer Zoltán Varro. "When a guest sees something amazing and takes a picture, it can be shared with the rest of the world in seconds."
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Unique suite:</strong> Located on the sixth floor, the Atelier Suite is designed to look like a painter's studio.<br />
Unique suite: Located on the sixth floor, the Atelier Suite is designed to look like a painter's studio.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Elegant area: </strong>The suite features a marble staircase, brick walls, various paintings and dozens of rugs.
Elegant area: The suite features a marble staircase, brick walls, various paintings and dozens of rugs.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Popular setting:</strong> It's often requested for private gatherings, with the likes of Dolce&Gabbana hiring it for private events.
Popular setting: It's often requested for private gatherings, with the likes of Dolce&Gabbana hiring it for private events.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Reimagined spaced:</strong> "The original plan was to have this room as a storage area, because it only has two small windows," explains Varró. "When I decided to make it one of the biggest suites, the owner thought I was crazy."<br />
Reimagined spaced: "The original plan was to have this room as a storage area, because it only has two small windows," explains Varró. "When I decided to make it one of the biggest suites, the owner thought I was crazy."
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Spa magic:</strong> Based in the courtyard, the Secret Garden Day Spa is another of the hotel's top highlights.
Spa magic: Based in the courtyard, the Secret Garden Day Spa is another of the hotel's top highlights.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest
<strong>Center piece:</strong> The spa is filled with sculptures, fountains and palm trees, but the stunning hot tub is the main attraction.
Center piece: The spa is filled with sculptures, fountains and palm trees, but the stunning hot tub is the main attraction.
Courtesy Mystery Hotel Budapest