Reaching for the sky at Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts

The serendipitous moment gave Prager his inspiration and is firmly established in Mövenpick legend. That one elegant pounce by a bird encapsulated his vision of a “dining bar” where guests could relax and eat high-quality food at affordable prices. And so Mövenpick (Möwe pick), and Europe’s first casual dining experience, was born.

Prager’s first restaurant, Claridenhof, opened in Zurich in July 1948, offering simple dishes that could be ordered à la carte, a refreshing alternative to set menus. It was considered unconventional for Swiss restaurants and was the first of many Mövenpick innovations.

Today the brand has a worldwide presence, and Prager is credited with having redefined the European restaurant scene, paving the way for a new style of modern hospitality conceived on a simple premise: “doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way”. Seen as a visionary of his time, he created a restaurant concept based on simplicity, innovation, commitment to service and a passion for culinary and hospitality excellence.

Twenty-five years on from 1948, in 1973, Prager capitalised on Mövenpick’s reputation for quality food, affordability, staff training standards and novelty by opening the company’s first two hotels, both near Zurich. One was at the airport and the other in nearby Regensdorf at a time when airport hotels were considered unnecessary, but for Prager they were an overlooked opportunity.

As an innovator, he was considered to be many years ahead of the competition, which was reluctant to break with tradition. Things have come a long way since he pondered his possibilities beside the Swiss lake in 1948 and have continued to do so since his death in 2011.

Today, premium Mövenpick hotels, residences and resorts are found across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. As well as the above there are locations in Budapest and at Lake Balaton in Hungary, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Amsterdam in The Netherlands, Marrakech and Casablanca in Morocco, Jeddah and Al Khobar Beach in Saudi Arabia, Beirut in Lebanon, Petra in Jordan, Doha in Qatar, Istanbul in Turkey, Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, Bali in Indonesia, Nairobi in Kenya, Kotor Bay in Montenegro, Bahrain in the Middle East, Taba in Egypt, Egerkingen in Switzerland and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The Budapest Times has enjoyed stays at the Casablanca and Istanbul establishments, and has made a note to try the recently opened hotel at Novi Vinodolski. Also, we realise we have been remiss in not experiencing Mövenpick’s two hotels nearer home in Hungary. Of these, the Mövenpick Hotel Budapest Centre is a four-star Art Nouveau-style establishment at Rákóczi út 43-45 in District VIII near Blaha Lujza tér. The hotel reflects Mövenpick’s Swiss roots and long-standing culinary heritage, combining contemporary comfort with the brand’s distinctive approach to hospitality.

The building opened in 1911 and, just like it did a century ago, offers the beauty of elegance and the advantages of modern comfort to guests with rooms newly renovated in 2025. In all there are 227 fully equipped, air-conditioned and soundproofed bedrooms. The largest of seven conference room holds 330 people.

Also in Hungary is the Mövenpick BalaLand Resort Lake Balaton, a five-star set on the southern shores of Hungary’s “inland sea” at Szántód. Directly opposite the Tihany peninsula, the resort has a rooftop wellness and fitness area with sweeping views across the water, and elegant spa surroundings to unwind and recharge. Beyond the panorama, there is a distinctive design, blending Caribbean-inspired outdoor spaces with interiors patterned on the adventurous world of French science-fiction novelist Jules Verne, author of “Around the World in Eighty Days” and others. The resort offers more than 100 stylish rooms and suites, premium amenities and an atmosphere designed for discovery.

Meanwhile Novi Vinodolski on Kvarner Bay awaits…