Start 2026 in the Spa Capital of Europe: Budapest

Start 2026 in the Spa Capital of Europe: Budapest 

• A study done by Finder showed that seven in ten people in the UK made New Year’s resolutions for 2026. 

Since the start of the year, there’s no doubt that there has been a new wave of intentions sweeping the UK. A study done by Finder showed that seven in ten people in the UK - an estimated 39.5 million people - made New Year’s resolutions, with 23% focusing on health, according to YouGov. And, with the new year, who doesn’t feel inspired to reset and recharge?

It’s exactly this annual burst of motivation that fuels the growing demand for restorative escapes during the winter months. And when it comes to places that thrive off relaxation, Budapest has long held the crown. Celebrated as Europe’s legendary Spa Capital, it offers the perfect backdrop for anyone starting the new year with a wellness-first mindset.

Budapest’s bathing culture stretches back to Roman times, later shaped by Ottoman influences, to create one of the world’s most distinctive spa heritages. Today, more than a hundred natural thermal springs feed the city’s celebrated baths, from one of the original bathhouses, Ruda, to the iconic Széchenyi, offering mineral-rich waters renowned for their healing and therapeutic properties. The spring water offers a range of benefits, from soothing inflammation and reducing itchiness to hydrating skin. This is due to its unique mineral content of selenium, silica, calcium and magnesium.  

At the heart of it all sits Kimpton BEM Budapest, perfectly positioned for a New Year wellness retreat. With its central location near Budapest’s renowned bathhouses and a range of wellness-driven facilities, it serves as an excellent base for travellers prioritising wellbeing.

Renowned Thermal Baths in Budapest 

• Lukacs Thermal Bath - Described as a water hospital - where doctors have historically prescribed thermal water treatments for conditions like rheumatism, skin issues, and digestive/respiratory ailments - Lukacs is perfect for a January reset

How to get there from Kimpton BEM Budapest? 7-minute tram journey

• Rudas Thermal Bath - One of the four original 16th-century Turkish baths in the city, Rudas preserves Ottoman-era architecture with domed ceilings, ornate tilework, and an octagonal pool. Perfect for an early-morning visit for a meditative and atmospheric soak.

How to get there from Kimpton BEM Budapest? 10-minute tram journey

• Széchenyi Thermal Bath- Perfect for outdoor thermal bathing, especially in January when the steam rises over the pools. It’s also one of the largest spa complexes in Europe with 18 thermal pools (indoor and outdoor), and spanning a range of temperatures from around 18C °C up to 40°C.

How to get there from Kimpton BEM Budapest? 26-minute tram journey

Palatinus Baths - Located on the western side of Margaret Island, it has been a favourite leisure destination for more than a century, opened shortly after World War I as Budapest’s first open-air thermal bath and pool complex. The bathhouse has recently been renovated and now operates year-round, offering adults access to 15 pools and a wide range of spa treatments, as well as water features for children.How to get there from Kimpton BEM Budapest? 15-minute bus journey

Where to stay?

Kimpton BEM Budapest is a newly opened boutique hotel on the Buda side of the Danube, housed in a restored 19th-century mansion and designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. The property features 127 guest rooms (including eight suites) and three dining concepts, the hotel’s flagship restaurant AGOS, bar HUSO and rooftop bar FeNNen. Located near the UNESCO-listed Castle District, the hotel provides convenient access to key landmarks, including Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, the Chain Bridge, and Budapest’s thermal baths, while offering a calm setting for winter stays focused on rest and wellbeing. 

Guests have access to a fully equipped, 24/7 fitness centre featuring the latest Technogym equipment, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes, a four-way bench, multistation units and free weights.

The hotel’s wellness area is equipped with a spacious hot tub, steam room, sauna, and an invigorating ice shower. Open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the space is designed for relaxation and rejuvenation. Wellness experiences extend to a curated menu of in-room massage treatments focusing on targeted areas such as the head and scalp, face, back or feet. Highlights include the signature Bliss & Euphoria Massage - a fully personalised 60-minute full body and facial massage.

The hotel has also introduced an exclusive Pilates and Pause package, perfect for those who are looking for a rejuvenating wellness retreat. The package includes a three-night stay at Kimpton BEM Budapest, including breakfast and a daily one-hour Pilates session in the hotel’s in-house studio, starting from 300EUR per night. This package can be booked HERE.

Ends

Editors notes

Rates at Kimpton BEM Budapest start from € 200 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy. For more information, visit https://kimptonbembudapest.com/ 

About Kimpton BEM Budapest

The opening of Kimpton BEM Budapest in September 2024 marked Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ first boutique luxury hotel in Hungary and their first property in Eastern Europe. Set within a restored 19th-century mansion on the Buda side of the Danube, the 127-room property – including 8 suites – has been designed by Dutch visionary Marcel Wanders (one of just ten fortunate hotels he’s designed in the last two decades of his career, with Kimpton BEM Budapest being his final project). The hotel’s interiors draw inspiration from Hungarian folklore and yet are contemporary in design, with features ranging from upside-down egg-shaped reception desks to a glass atrium showcasing a golden stag.

 Kimpton BEM Budapest offers views across the river to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and places guests within easy reach of the UNESCO-listed Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Budapest’s famed bathing culture. Three inventive dining concepts form part of the experience, underpinned by a strong sustainability ethos that incorporates energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and a commitment to local sourcing. Their restaurant AGOS has been awarded two Toques by Gault&Millau, and is amongst the Top 35 Restaurants in Hungary. Wellness is also central to the hotel, with a tranquil spa and treatments influenced by the city’s thermal history and heritage.

As part of IHG’s Low Carbon Pioneer program, Kimpton BEM Budapest leads the way in sustainable hospitality with energy-efficient systems, eco-certified suppliers, and a deep commitment to local sourcing and environmental responsibility. They have also been awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2025 and have been chosen as Tripadvisor’s number one Luxury Hotel in Hungary.

The Kimpton group has around 79 hotels currently open globally. With two hotels opening in 2025, Kimpton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 471 rooms, and Kimpton Sicily, Italy, which is opening late 2025.

With more exciting new openings happening in 2026:

• Kimpton Era Midtown New York, USA – 529 rooms
• Kimpton Bali Ubud, Indonesia – 101 rooms
• Kimpton Dubai, UAE – 280 rooms
• Kimpton Quinta da Marinha Cascais, Portugal

Press kit available to download here.

@kimptonbembudapest | @agos.restaurant | @barhuso | @fennen.skybar 

UK Press Enquiries:

Charlotte Williams, Elinor Fresson, and Magda Maslanka at Lemongrass Travel PR

E: KimptonBEMBudapest@lemongrassmarketing.com

T: +44 (0)1865 237 990