Chevy Chase, Md, September 2, 2015 – The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is delighted to announce that from 1st September The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest, a Ritz-Carlton Partner Hotel will be managed by the company and following an extensive renovation program, the hotel will be re-launched as The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest in Spring 2016.

The centrally located, 198-room hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation which includes the addition of The Ritz-Carlton Club, new luxury suites and fresh concepts at the hotel’s dining outlets.

“It is an honour to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to Hungary at the heart of this vibrant capital city. We are looking forward to opening the newest European hotel in Budapest in 2016” said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer.

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Ritz-Carlton for such an exquisite property to build on our unique portfolio of hotels. We are bringing together two of the best names in the business, both dedicated to offering world-class luxury and hospitality. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the renewed property in early 2016,” said Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group, the hotel’s owner.

Marcus A. Loevenforst has been appointed as the General Manager to lead the team of Ladies and Gentlemen at this historic location and oversee the transformation of the hotel into the first Hungarian property for

The Ritz-Carlton portfolio. Mr. Loevenforst, originally from Germany, brings more than 23 years of luxury hospitality experience spanning several continents and locations, including Stuttgart, Miami, San Francisco, Cleveland and Toronto, and with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Berlin, Bahrain, Moscow and Naples. Most recently his role was as Vice President, Operations for EDITION hotels.

The Elizabeth Park Hotel, Budapest is located on St Erzsebet Square with commanding views over St Stephen’s Basilica in the heart of the city, only a short distance from the business district and shopping areas. The Hungarian capital is home to an extensive World Heritage site, including the banks of the River Danube, the Buda Castle quarter, Andrassy Avenue and the Millennium Underground railway, the second-oldest metro line in the world. It is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and a popular tourist destination known as “The City of Spas” with many natural thermal and medicinal springs.