The Alice Hotel, located on Andrássy Avenue—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—was a flagship project for WHB’s historic preservation division, involving the complete renovation of the building’s historic late-19th-century villa, originally designed by Mór Kallina, and its conversion into a modern boutique hotel. The goal of the project, carried out between 2018 and 2020, was to preserve the building’s original aristocratic character and architectural values while ensuring the functionality, guest comfort, and international-standard quality required for 21st-century hotel operations.
Preserving and restoring the original historicist appearance was a primary consideration during the renovation: the decorative elements of the facade were restored using traditional restoration techniques; the original stone cladding was cleaned, repaired, and replaced where necessary; and the windows and doors were reconstructed using period-appropriate wooden structures. The renovation of the roof structure was combined with the installation of modern thermal insulation solutions, while the facade’s coloring and surface treatment were carried out in accordance with historic preservation regulations. These interventions ensured that the building continues to fit perfectly into the iconic cityscape of Andrássy Avenue from the outside.
During the renovation of the interior spaces, a clean, elegant, and cozy boutique hotel concept was realized while preserving the historic atmosphere. In place of the former darker, more fragmented rooms, brighter spaces with reorganized functionality were created, resulting in 41 rooms in various categories (Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Suite). The interior wall coverings were restored using premium materials, and the rooms and common areas were furnished with custom-made furniture and interior elements. At the same time, modern mechanical and electrical systems were fully installed, and fire protection, security, and hotel technology solutions were integrated, complemented by energy-efficient lighting, state-of-the-art insulation, and smart building systems.
As part of the renovation, guest experience and operational functions were also updated: the Alice Terrace & Salon restaurant and bar areas were redesigned, the outdoor terrace was equipped with modern mechanical systems and landscaping, and the kitchen and back-of-house areas were brought up to current hotel standards while meeting accessibility requirements. The lobby and common areas have become a welcoming, multifunctional gathering place where metropolitan elegance and the villa’s original bourgeois atmosphere coexist, allowing guests to relax in a quiet, peaceful environment right in the heart of downtown.
The significance of the Alice Hotel’s renovation lies in the fact that a historic building with a rich heritage has been given new life in a way that harmoniously unites the old and the new: the preservation-oriented historic reconstruction is complemented by contemporary hotel standards, sustainability considerations, and high-quality services. Today, the building is one of Budapest’s unique boutique hotels, serving not only as a place to stay but also as a premium meeting place that offers an experience and engages with the city’s cultural and community life.
