On the shores of Lake Balaton, in Balatonfüred, the historic Villa Rodostó (1908) has been reborn as a five-star boutique hotel, the result of a project that intertwines conservation and transformation in a delicate design balance. The architectural project by ARX Architects and the interiors by este’r partners return an emblematic building to the city, redefining its role within the touristic and cultural landscape of the lake.
The restoration begins with the preservation of the villa’s historic layout, enhanced through a careful recovery of the stone surfaces and original wooden windows. These elements are complemented by new architectural and decorative stratifications that introduce a contemporary language capable of meeting the demands of a modern luxury hotel.
The functional program includes ten suites distributed across the two main floors and three independent apartments with terraces immersed in greenery, conceived as contemporary volumes in direct dialogue with the surrounding landscape. This dual configuration alternates more intimate and secluded spaces with open, panoramic units, creating a flexible hospitality system consistent with the domestic scale of the original building.
The interior design concept developed by este’r partners stands out for its material and tactile approach, in which textures and surfaces become the primary tools of spatial storytelling. Decorative stuccoes, refined textiles, and bespoke furnishings shape environments defined by a calibrated sensory perception, where natural and artificial light modulate the atmosphere of both common areas and suites.
The material palette privileges natural materials and soft tones, capable of engaging with the Balaton landscape and with the historic character of the architectural envelope. Furnishings and lighting fixtures from international brands are integrated with discretion, acting as precise insertions that reinforce the narrative without overwhelming the historic structure.
A central aspect of the project is the integration of local identity into the language of the interiors. The anemone, a protected botanical species and symbol of Balatonfüred, is reinterpreted as a recurring graphic pattern throughout the hotel. Wallpapers, signage, and wayfinding systems use this motif as a visual device that strengthens the connection between architecture, interior design, and the natural landscape.
CREDITS
Project: Petit Bois Füred
Studio: ARX Architects
Interior design: este’r partners
Location: Balatonfüred, Hungary
Year: 2025
Photography: Zsolt Hlinka
