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Guest experience above all, from Mátra to Mecsek – interview with Péter Zentai
Szabó Sára
In 2025, Péter Zentai, the founder and owner of Hilaris Hotels, was chosen as the tourism personality of the year, so it was not by chance that he was in the spotlight of the industry. The hotel chain, which was launched only a few years ago, attracted attention not only with its explosive growth, but also by bringing a new way of thinking to domestic tourism. The company was the first to introduce the "buy now, pay later", i.e. go on holiday now, pay later, model on the domestic market but the foundation of the company’s human resources strategy is also exemplary, thanks to which they indirectly ensure the livelihood of nearly 5,000 Hungarian families.
An experience for everyone
The basic principle of the Hilaris Hotels portfolio is to allow guests to experience the Hilaris experience in every corner of Hungary. According to Péter Zentai, this is the concept behind which they offer accommodation throughout the country, from three-star, family-friendly hotels to five-star luxury hotels. Although the categories are different, the experience is the same everywhere: the guest is at the centre.
If someone honours us by choosing one of our hotels, the minimum is to provide them with the highest possible standard – offering excellence in attention, gastronomy and services.
– emphasizes the founder-owner. He adds that in addition to the uncompromising, stable quality, the four-season operation is also evident, which poses a great challenge for service providers in some regions. On the southern shore of Lake Balaton, for example, the REED Boutique Hotel & Bistro in Siófok is not only a great place to stay, but also an outstanding gastronomic destination all year round, which despite the four-seasonal demand for Lake Balaton is unfortunately still rare in the lakeside region. The spring and autumn periods are filled with events and made attractive with a “day spa” service at the Ambient Hotel & Thermal Spa in Komló-Sikonda and the Lifestyle Hotel Mátra. In the Szalajka Liget Hotel in Szilvásvárad the villa park offers a unique experience all year round. The Hilaris Hotels group has recently expanded further on the shores of Lake Balaton, and in addition to REED, the Balaton Colors Beach Hotel, the Colors Holiday Hotel, the Residence Hotel Balaton, the Villa MyLake and the now renewed Művész Üdülő also operate under the aegis of the brand.
The success of Hilaris Hotels lies not only in the diverse offer, but also in the excellent price-performance ratio, according to Péter Zentai. “You do not have to set very high prices to make the guest feel good. However, you have to pay attention in many nuanced steps to ensure that everyone gets what they expect – and even more,” says the owner. According to him, you should not forget the price sensitivity of Hungarian guests, which was one of the inspirations for the BNPL model (“buy now, pay later” – go on holiday now, pay later), which was pioneered in the domestic market. This payment structure allows guests who meet the conditions to pay for their vacation (even in the hotels of the Hilaris Hotels abroad) in three monthly instalments. Péter Zentai emphasizes that in the case of Hilaris Hotels, both the ownership and operation of the hotels are concentrated in one hand, which can be considered unique for players of this calibre in Hungary.
“Taste of Hungary” within and outside the country
Nothing illustrates the brand's unbroken success better than its outstanding figures: Hilaris Hotels, which have nearly a thousand rooms in 2025, intends to double its capacity next year, while the target number of guest nights spent there is one million by 2026. According to Péter Zentai, not only the number of rooms, but also the number of beds is key: in the villa park of the Szalajka Liget Hotel, for example, each villa can comfortably accommodate 6–10 people. Hilaris Hotels is also consciously building its international presence: it also employs Hungarian workers in its foreign hotels, so a significant part of the guests are also Hungarian, but the gastronomic concept dreamed up by Gábor Krausz also consistently represents Hungarian flavours.
I believe in the competitiveness of the countryside. I think it is important to rely on domestic resources, whether human or gastronomic. Thanks to this, the group of companies has around a thousand employees and indirectly ensures the livelihood of around five thousand rural Hungarian families
– he highlights, adding that these families are mostly local, thus strengthening domestic micro-communities; as well as coexistence tourism through cooperation with regional suppliers and service providers.
Social responsibility is also an integral part of the philosophy of the company group. For example, in 2025, many disadvantaged children were able to participate in the summer camps of the Művész Üdülő in Zamárdi free of charge. Children could participate in first aid training thanks to the Legelsőségély Alapítvány (The Very First-Aid Foundation) so in addition to the experience, we believe they were able to gain additional useful knowledge and experience. “Social responsibility is one thing in itself. For us, it is more about shaping attitudes. I will be the happiest if others follow our example,” says the founder.
The unbroken momentum endures
Péter Zentai's future plans focus on growth and a strengthening international presence. It is not ruled out that by 2026, 25 international and domestic hotels will belong to the Hilaris Hotels group. "For me, real success is our guests leave having had a memorable experience, our employees find a secure livelihood with us, and Hilaris Hotels sets an example in Hungarian tourism," concludes Péter Zentai.
