Ennismore has announced plans to debut the SO/ brand in Hungary in 2026, with a property in Budapest.
SO/ Budapest will be a conversion of the existing Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge hotel, located on the Pest Bank in the city centre.
Indeed, the SO/ brand was previously known as So Sofitel – but now falls under the Ennismore lifestyle division following the merger between Accor and Ennismore in 2020.
The hotel will open following an extensive refurbishment of both the exterior and interior of the existing building.
SO/ Budapest will include 350 rooms, including 56 suites and two presidential suites, with decor inspired by “the world of fashion and luxury concept stores”. Features will include back-lit vanities, open-style wardrobes, dressing room mirrors and reflective surfaces.
SO/ Budapest will also boast four F&B venues, including a ground-floor restaurant with a terrace and cafe run by Ennismore’s in-house studio Carte Blanched; a lobby cafe on the first floor; and a rooftop restaurant and club.
The property will also include over 740 sqm of meeting and events space, as well as 855 sqm of spa facilities – complete with a swimming pool and wellness space.
Chadi Farhat, Brand COO of SO/ at Ennismore, said:
“We are thrilled to bring SO/’s avant-garde design and creative approach to Hungary for the first time. SO/ exudes an ultra-chic social vibe that fits Budapest and merges culture through its wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites with elegant modernity. Making a stylish statement, SO/ Budapest will undoubtedly become a destination for locals and travellers alike.”
The fashion-inspired SO/ brand debuted in 2011 and is now present in locations including Berlin, Bangkok, Paris, Dubai (see our review here) and the Maldives. The brand recently announced plans to open a property in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, next year.
Globally, Ennismore is set to open over 15 hotels and over 50 restaurants and bars by the end of 2024, including Hyde London City, 25hours The Odd Bird,
Jakarta, SLS Barcelona, Mama Shelter Nice and Rixos Obhur Jeddah.