Anantara’s 25th-anniversary People Who Inspire series continues, celebrating the people who bring the brand’s spirit to life.
As the brand marks 25 years of meaningful travel, we are turning the spotlight to the people who have shaped its story. The new ‘People Who Inspire’ series celebrates the artisans, conservationists, spiritual guides and long-serving hosts whose passion brings each destination to life, reminding travellers that the true essence of luxury lies in human connection.
Next in the series is Tamás Gebei, who has called Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel home for more than 15 years, watching over more than a century of Neo-Renaissance history within its walls. The property's History Insider has become a guardian of its memories, helping guests pause before a century-old photograph or trace the footsteps of literary greats at the New York Café. For him, sharing these stories is a way of connecting travellers to the past, one photograph, one story, one journey at a time.
You have been part of the New York Palace story for over 15 years, witnessing its transition into the Anantara family. Looking back at your journey since 2010, how has your personal relationship with this Belle Époque masterpiece evolved, and do you feel like a guardian of its secrets?
This journey has been fascinating. I'm pleased to be part of this transformation, surrounded daily by an environment of mesmerising beauty and quiet grandeur. This Belle Époque masterpiece reflects both its bygone era and my own evolution: optimism, elegance and cultural flourishing. The period's belief in progress, science and the future still lives on here, expressed through travel, fashion and social life. I believe in leading by example, and while maintaining discretion, I'm delighted to share my knowledge with those who are curious, just as I remain eager to learn the palace's unwritten stories. In that sense, perhaps I do feel like a respectful guardian of its secrets.
The architect Alajos Hauszmann believed that grand buildings should “uplift the spirit”. As you walk through the marble columns and beneath the frescoes every day, in which specific corner of the palace do you feel that spiritual uplift the most, and why?
Hauszmann's belief is inspiring, and the palace truly lives up to it. For me, the most uplifting moment happens upon arriving at the Atrium. As you enter the palace, whatever burdens you carry seem to remain outside. Passing beneath the Murano chandelier, there is a quiet sense that something meaningful is about to unfold, and once you step into the Atrium, the 'wow' moment arrives. Everything transforms. In that space you feel grounded, inspired and certain that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
As Anantara’s History Insider, you are the bridge between the palace’s 1894 origins and the modern traveller. When you share its stories, what is the one detail or insight that always seems to stop guests in their tracks?
I would say our gallery of historical photographs on the fifth floor. Over recent years we have curated a collection displayed along the top floor corridor. One reason why I'm drawn to art is that it speaks differently to everyone. These photos are rooted in history, yet their details resonate in unique ways depending on age, culture or emotional state. I've observed how guests, from young to mature, from locals to visitors arriving from the furthest corners of the world, pause at a different image. In that moment, they suddenly find a personal connection that feels entirely their own.
Can you recall a specific moment where your knowledge of Budapest’s history helped a guest move beyond simple sightseeing to a deep, emotional connection with the city?
Among the many stories I carry, one stands out. A lovely couple once visited Budapest, and during our conversation I found out that the husband had Hungarian roots and a strong desire to explore his family history. We helped guide them to the National Archives, where he uncovered details about his ancestry. By the following day, we had arranged a journey to a small countryside village where his family once lived. Upon their return in the evening, he was extremely happy and moved, having met people who remembered his family, so he could go home with stories that I'm sure still live with him.
The New York Café is celebrated as “the most beautiful café in the world.” Beyond the 24-carat-gold coffee and chandeliers, how do you help guests understand the café’s true historical role in shaping Hungary’s cultural identity?
Besides being 'the most beautiful café in the world', New York Café has long played a vital role in shaping Hungary's cultural identity. It was a haven for literary minds, and many classics of Hungarian literature were born here, including one of my favourites, The Paul Street Boys by Ferenc Molnár. As a History Insider at Anantara New York Palace Budapest, I regularly lead history tours, sharing stories from more than 130 years of the palace's past. During these walks, the New York Café, especially its Red Salon, becomes a key moment for guests to understand the living connection between history and the present day.
Having personally been part of this palace’s journey since 2010, how do you feel its restoration and its current life as an Anantara hotel allow it to resume its role as a vital anchor for the community, ensuring its stories and cultural spirit remain at the heart of the city’s future?
The careful restoration of Anantara New York Palace Budapest ensures that its architectural glamour is preserved, but for me, its true revival comes from the human life within its walls. Today the building breathes again through daily rituals and shared experiences: live music in the café and in the Atrium, evening moments where guests and locals pause together, educational initiatives that bring students into spaces where history was once written, and collaborations with local artists and creators. I believe this is how the palace resumes its role as a true anchor for the community, allowing history, culture and contemporary life to meet naturally. This way, our stories are not only preserved but carried forward, remaining part of Budapest's living future.
Anantara is committed to protecting the world’s heritage. How do you see your role as a History Insider contributing to this mission of cultural custodianship for the generations of travellers yet to come?
Similarly to my approach towards art, I believe heritage is carried forward when people feel a genuine connection with it. It isn't necessarily the same for everyone, but each of us can find an aspect with which we genuinely connect, admire and carry forward the values our heritage represents. The rich history we hold gives us an excellent opportunity to enjoy stories, live our dreams and consider improvements. Besides enjoying the present, we need to understand our past to help craft a favourable future. I'm proud to share my knowledge with both our guests and my fellow team members, ensuring these stories remain alive through personal connection.
Learn more about Anantara Hotels & Resorts' 25th anniversary celebrations here.
