Legendary castle hotels (part II.)

One of Hungary's most popular castle hotels has been an elite residence, a home for orphans, but it has also been left to decay like an abandoned ruin for years. The area of the estate is already special because of the carbonic acid spring discovered by cowherds grazing between Parádsasvár and Kápolna. The history of the castle includes several noble families: Orczy, Grassalkovich and Rákóczi families also owned it, but most of the reconstructions of the area are related to the Károlyi family. The construction of the castle dates back to the 1800s, and several bathhouses and hot tubs were built using natural resources. Count György Károlyi bought it with these in 1846, followed by several renovations. Károlyi entrusted an architect with huge knowledge to do the renovation: Miklós Ybl designed the renovation of the Classicist building complex. Completed in 1882, it was a gift from Károlyi to his wife, Karoline Zichy, who was in emigration with Lajos Kossuth, and the palace was named Sasvár. After his grandparents, the estate was inherited by the then Prime Minister of Hungary, Mihály Károlyi. The younger Károlyi did not like the life of a landlord, but his wife, Katinka Andrássy, liked to spend time in the country palace. During this period, some parts were already used as hotels, run by tenants. After the fall of the Soviet Republic, the estate was taken over by the state, and after the Second World War, it was used as a children's holiday home. The house had deteriorated so badly that it had to be closed down, and for decades it had been left to tattered on its own. In 1996, the castle underwent a major change: after almost two years of renovation, the five-star Kastélyhotel Sasvár Resort opened its doors in December 1998. The hotel has kept its distinctive Neo-Baroque style, while the most modern techniques have been used in the renovation, giving it its unique identity. The rich interior of the castle offers several attractions: the old splendour welcomes guests in the Monarchy Hall, which is used for dance performances, and in the Ybl, Károlyi and Geraldin salons. In addition to the traditional hotel rooms, the main building has five suites with four-poster beds, a fireplace and a massage bath. For the perfect relaxation, there is an indoor wellness area with bowling and squash courts, and an outdoor swimming pool and volleyball court in season. It's no coincidence that the Castle Hotel in Parádsasvár is a popular award-winning hotel, with an outstanding restaurant and, interestingly, you can see it in films: the film Dream car was shot here, as well as the British mystery series Baptiste.

Around the 1840s, Baron and General Szaniszló Antal Puchner fell in love with the estate at the foot of the Mecsek Mountains and subsequently built a castle. Despite the emotional bond, he did not visit her for years, his son Hannibal Puchner being the first to do so. The younger Puchner is credited with the complete rebuilding of the castle and the planting of the park, he did a great deal of work on the reconstruction of the castle, which was continued by his son Charles. He died at a very young age, full of dreams and unrealised plans, leaving the entire renovation to his widow, Franciska Niczky. The reconstruction was completed, and the castle took its present form. This estate has not escaped the storms of history. It was in state hands for decades, and in 1993 the current owners bought the former manor. After years of renovation, the three-star castle hotel opened with a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court, playground, and thirteen rooms. Over the years, the Puchner Kastélyszálló has undergone some improvements, including the construction of a bathhouse, a guest house, a conference room and a chivalrous sports centre, this time with four stars. The year 2010 brought a big change, when Hungary's first medieval park, the Bikali Experience Estate, opened in the backwoods of the hotel. From this time, the Puhner estate was continuously enriched with a new castle atmosphere: the Palace, the Knight's Hall and the Muses' Hall were built, and the rooms were also adapted to the new atmosphere, much to the delight of the children. And last year, a playground was built in the main square of the Experience Mansion, with castle-shaped climber and themed games for younger children. The innovations are very much to the family's liking, as in addition to the medieval atmosphere, the Lurkó Fairy-tale Baths have been built, with slides and children's pools, reminiscent of the world of fairy tales. For those who would prefer to spend the weekend alone or in adult company, the Spa House has also been expanded with new interiors, a wellness area and private terraces.