Marriott loses The Ritz-Carlton Budapest hotel but gains The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok
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In a surprising move, Marriott has lost the management of The Ritz-Carlton Budapest hotel.
This is a lovely property and it is shame to see it go.
Marriott is not short of luxury hotels in Budapest which could, of course, have been part of the problem – there may not have been enough Marriott Bonvoy loyalists to go around.
Other upscale Marriott options in the city include:
The ex-The Ritz-Carlton is now trading as Al Habtoor Palace, Budapest. This is a sister hotel to Al Habtoor Palace, Dubai – which, of course, was also a Marriott Bonvoy property (in this case a St Regis) and then a Hilton (LXR) before going independent.
The Dubai hotel is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts so we may see Budapest appear there in time.
Marriott told us:
“We can confirm that we are no longer managing The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest as of the 6th January. It has been a privilege to manage this property and we wish the hotel team the best.
Marriott International remains committed to Budapest and Hungary, with eight other properties within the market and exciting development plans with six new properties due to open in the next few years.”
For members who have a future reservation at the Ritz Carlton Budapest using points, as the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme will no longer be available at this hotel from 6th January, their reservation will be moved within the Marriott reservation system to one of the other Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the city (including W Budapest; Mathild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel; Dorothea, Autograph Collection).”
The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok opens
As one door (literally) closes, another opens.
The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok has officially opened. Situated on Wireless Road, this 260 room property overlooks Lumpini Park.
The hotel is set in a 216m tower at One Bangkok, the ‘world-class business and lifestyle destination’ in the heart of Bangkok. Sadly the hotel is on the lower 25 floors and not the upper floors, so the views are not as great as they could be.
To quote:
Inspired by the concept of a “Meeting of Two Civilizations,” The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok is a cultural beacon, embracing the vibrant capital built upon a rich and storied heritage. In the 1800s, Thailand envisioned a global future, seamlessly blending its cherished traditions with international influences. Wireless Road, once the enclave of Thai nobility, became a gateway to this new era of travel and exploration.
Today, Bangkok radiates worldly charm and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok reflects this dynamic culture through a refined lens, welcoming guests to a restorative, contemporary oasis. Upon arrival, a grand archway leads to the elegant foyer and The Front Hall, a drawing room adorned with original artwork and black-and-white photographs, evoking the warmth and intimacy of a private residence.
A seamless blend of classic Thai artistry and contemporary design, The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok’s rooms and suites embody a spirit of cultural exchange. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame breathtaking views, while many guest rooms offer private loggias and terraces overlooking the lush expanse of Lumpini Park. Guests are invited to choose from the spacious 50-square-meter Deluxe Rooms, the exquisitely appointed 102-square-meter Gardenia Suites, or the enchanting 127-square-meter Marigold and Amaranth Suites. Atop the hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Suite crowns the property as a 389-square-meter penthouse, offering an unrivaled setting for the most luxurious of escapes.
If you are planning a cash stay, I recommend getting a quote from Emyr Thomas, our hotel booking partner. He can access special packages – priced at the standard Best Flexible Rate – which include free breakfast, $100 per stay to spend in the hotel and a potential upgrade. You can contact Emyr via the form here.
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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)
There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.
The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.
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SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.
The Platinum Card from American Express
80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review
You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:
The Budapest property is indeed a loss from the Bonvoy system. Though based on the clientele at breakfast, I can see how Al Habtoor would suit. I shall fondly remember my plush corner suite, a non-NUA upgrade as a Tit.
The Klotild Palace directly opposite the Mathild Palace (officially the pair collectively are the ‘Klotild Palaces’) and which was once the Buddha Bar Hotel, is due to open later this year as a St Regis, which may soften the blow.
Yes, it’s owned by the PM’s son-in-law. As is the Dorothea. As is the Gellert that’s being refurbished to become a Mandarin Oriental. As is…. oh, never mind…
New Andaz opening next door to RC Bangkok soon. Major construction in the One Bangkok is virtually all done for now.. the mega tower will start going up at the back of the development sometime this year though.
Feedback on new RC is very mixed which is only to be expected in the early days. RC Residence probably the better choice for most but I don’t know if it can be booked via Marriott. I have not been to the One complex yet but would rather they left it as it was, never really favoured Wireless Road as a hotel location although it does have one of my favourite restaurants in Bangkok.
@Thywillbedone: Vista Kitchen. It’s a bit wacky in that it is supposedly a blood group restaurant where we should be eating and avoiding certain foods according to our blood type. I just ignore all that, eat what I like and enjoy. I like it because the food seems authentic Thai, unadulterated, and lacking in the over-processing and over-seasoning that is too commo these days. In short the food tastes light, fresh and healthy with good quality ingredients. The dining room itself is cool, large and spacious prooviding a quiet and relaxed atmosphere amidst the heat, noise and chaos of Bangkok.
Stayed at the RC Budapest in Feb 2023. Outstanding location, fabulous staff and service. Breakfast was very impressive and the Club Lounge great. A genuine shame to see it go as the rate was super competitive.
It seems Al-Habtoor and Marriott fell out and are in some kind of arbitration. Everything was a little sudden considering there were stories about this arbitration last June.
I’m due to stay here next month and was just emailed by Marriott yesterday to say the hotel is no longer affiliated with Marriott from 6 January (ie two days prior). As of yesterday too you could still book with Marriott with no notice on the booking page about this. The only thing they’d disabled were points bookings.
Unfortunately Marriott don’t seem to offer rebooking at another hotel for cash bookings (as opposed to points you mention). A bit annoying as according to the Marriott email I can’t cancel the booking with Marriott post 6 Jan and will have to call.
“there may not have been enough Marriott Bonvoy loyalists to go around.”
cynically, I’d suggest there were too many! Especially in Asia, where some hotels have taken to advertising how many rooms are taken up by ‘elites’.
So probably Marriott needed more rooms in Asia to accommodate all its loyalists.
I don’t think this is just in Asia. And actually I think it’s probably a good thing. The number of status holders in Marriott is insane and at least this helps manage the guest expectations especially on upgrades.
Marriott very actively markets the high number of elites it attracts to properties in its pitches to potential franchisees. At around 60% (not all elites) Marriott in Europe is way, way ahead of any other chain.
Crazy, isn’t it! This is why I like the screens or whatever else in showing how many elites checking in at each level. Or even the more old fashioned system I saw recently in a Marriott in India where a table behind reception had the welcome letters laid out and colour coded for the different levels. It makes me personally accept more easily the consistent lack of upgrades when I can see e.g. there were maybe ten ambassadors checking in that day and I was one of at least twenty titaniums. I’d even love to see this standardised as I read about a screen showing this I think in one of the hotel Japan where the stats were very ambiguous (elites checking in or there now or for a certain period).
It is odd to me how loyal people are to Marriott despite there being way too many status holders and so often poor upgrades, crowded club lounges etc. but there is definite loyalty. I’ve seen Marriott prices in places be insanely uncompetitive even compared to other chains (eg Marriott Cali) and can’t help but think it’s because there are too many people who will just always book Marriott.
Not wishing for a repeat of the BA TP changes, but Marriott really could do with making status harder to achieve especially for those in the US. And I say this as someone who only got titanium by the minimum criteria and because a double qualifying nights promo on a long stay where Marriott was actually well priced.
For me chasing hotel status seems even more fantastical than chasing BA status!
The benefits on offer to elites like breakfast, lounge access, upgrades, early/late check-in or out are just beans that most hoteliers will gladly trade or give to non status holders if you call or email the hotel and offer better terms generally as well as guarantees. They save a lot of money and will pay you back. I know quite a few hoteliers and they do sometimes find themselves with a surfeit of elites on a given night so they choose to upgrade nobody as upgrading a few often leads to trouble. It does seem that elites have a tendency to brag to each other about upgrades and hotels don’t want the aggro. The very non elites like us who have been well rewarded keep very quiet!
The lining up of envelopes that you describe rather epitomises the idea that once everyone is elite, nobody is.
I think you’re probably right JDB. I think generally the sensible money looking for luxury would not be tied to any chain and stay more often in boutique hotels. I had a good result last year with a hotel where they offered to upgrade to a significantly better suite if it was available and it worked out very well.
However, while I don’t like Marriott much, World of Hyatt definitely has value. I can’t see my direct negotiations with a hotel giving the kind of results I’ve had booking the cheapest room on a corporate rate and applying a suite upgrade voucher to get a guaranteed suite.
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