What career path were you originally planning, and how did you end up at the Best Western Grand Hotel Hungária?

It was partly by chance. My original goal was to become a criminal judge, and I applied to study law. I prepared thoroughly, but missed the cutoff by just two points — a huge disappointment at the time. Still, I had strong organisational skills, enjoyed communicating, and spoke both German and English well, so tourism seemed like a promising direction.

I started working at a travel agency and, at the same time, enrolled in a tourism and tour guide training programme. I thought I’d give myself two years to figure things out. But thanks to some truly inspiring instructors and a great group of classmates, it quickly became clear that this was the right field for me.

Gábor Vadas, then director of the Best Western Grand Hotel Hungária, was hiring for two roles, and I was selected for one of them — that gave me a real boost. I started out as a hotel receptionist, then moved to cashier. Meanwhile, I completed a degree in economics with a focus on hotel management via a correspondence programme in Szolnok.

What did you learn at your first job, and how did your path lead to the Thermal Hotel Visegrád?

Working at the largest hotel in Budapest gave me a real understanding of both the joys and the challenges of front office work. Although the salary was good, after five years I felt I wanted more—something different, professionally.

As a resident of Szentendre, the soon-to-open Thermal Hotel Visegrád (then operated by Danubius in its first year) seemed like an ideal next step. I joined in early 2004 as a front desk supervisor. Over the years, I moved up through the ranks: first as front office manager, then shifting to the back office to work in event billing.

Even during my pregnancy, I worked right up to the last minute—my final day was December 18, 2007, and my son was born on Christmas Day. I’ve always been someone who’s energised by work, so I only took one year off before returning to join the event sales team. From there, I became Sales Director, and later took on responsibility for marketing, the front office, housekeeping, and eventually the wellness department as well.

What’s kept you here for two decades?

As long as there are new challenges and opportunities, I don’t feel the need to look elsewhere. A major turning point for me was when András Polgár became CEO of the hotel in 2020. He has a strong personality and gets to know people through direct experience. I was always active and goal-oriented, but under his leadership I was given more freedom, grew tremendously, and was able to push beyond my previous limits.

He sees the world in black and white — something is either right or it isn’t. That clarity really resonates with me, as I’m also a perfectionist. Despite us both having strong personalities, over time we’ve learned to work very well together.

What did your role as Strategic Director involve?

Everything outside the F&B side fell under my remit — from marketing and sales strategy to pricing decisions. I was also closely involved in the full-scale renovation that began in 2021, as well as the rebranding process. Our new motto, “Embraced by Nature,” inspired us to bring more of the surrounding landscape’s spirit into the hotel’s design.

The first phase of renovations, with an investment of nearly one billion forints, brought major visible changes. The second phase — budgeted at 500 million forints — is currently ongoing. The goal is to maintain our position as a market leader in the Danube Bend for the long term.

I firmly believe there’s no return without investment—this applies not only to our services, but also to our staff.
 

The competition is fierce in the four- and five-star category. What does it take to stand out?

New hotels are constantly opening while demand is holding steady. It’s no longer enough to offer good service — you have to deliver memorable “wow” experiences, and be present across every platform with fresh, engaging content.

You were appointed General Manager in April 2025. How did this change the leadership structure?

My appointment didn’t mean András Polgár stepped away — he remains CEO, overseeing our hotel as well as two others and a Budapest restaurant owned by the same group, and continues to manage finances. We also have our Financial Director, Tímea Kertész, and our former F&B Director, Tamás Dócs, has taken on the role of Operations Director and now supports me in day-to-day management.

After a record-breaking 2024, what are your expectations for this year?

Last year our net revenue exceeded four billion forints, so we’ll need to work hard to surpass that. June delivered very strong results, with several major events. In July we reached 60% occupancy, and August is currently over 40% — but it’s hard to predict further, as summer bookings are extremely last minute.

On average, our booking window is 8–10 days, but sometimes we sell 50–60 rooms for a weekend within a few weekdays. I start and end each day reviewing occupancy data. We meet weekly with our revenue and marketing teams — it’s fair to say we’re operating in a state of “alert wakefulness” around the clock.

With all that intensity, are you able to maintain a work–life balance? Is that important to you?

I used to work three shifts at the Grand Hotel Hungária, and my husband met me during that fast-paced time — luckily, he’s very understanding. He knows my motto: “Life is for living, we can rest later,” so he accepts that I take on extra roles alongside my full-time work.

I’m involved in Hungary’s accommodation quality assessment body and occasionally consult for the group’s other hotels. I enjoy these roles — they allow me to step outside my daily routine and bring fresh insights back to my own hotel.

I’m also a founding member and president of “Women for Szentendre,” a community group that promotes conservative values through culture and organises a wide range of charity initiatives. We always have at least one major project underway, and regularly host events like studio visits and castle tours.

Our “Wine, Gastronomy, Danube Bend” initiative brings together the region’s finest food and drink providers. Twice a year, we host a culinary event where guests can meet some of the top chefs, winemakers, and local producers. One of my big dreams is to create a “Taste Danube Bend” series, modelled after Taste Balaton. I truly believe this area has a wealth of outstanding talent and places worth discovering.

With such a full schedule, how do you unwind?

I hope readers won’t judge me for saying this, but: Italy — and a glass of prosecco or champagne — solves almost everything! We also spend a lot of time at Lake Balaton and love to travel. We don’t really give each other material gifts anymore; for us, quality time together is the most valuable thing.

We’re heading to the Scottish Highlands soon, then I’ll go to Nice with a friend, and later back to London with the family. One of our favourite traditions is that every year for my son’s birthday, we visit a Christmas market — this year, we’ve booked flights to Gdansk. Even when we’re at home, we’re rarely idle—we go to the theatre and concerts often. I also do cardio-zumba three times a week, which is a great way to relieve stress.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I appreciate that you used the word “leader” rather than “boss,” because that’s how I see myself. I try to recognise and nurture everyone’s individual strengths — and motivate those who have the potential to go further. I think my colleagues like me, perhaps because I’m strict but fair. I believe compassion is an important quality in a leader.

The freedom András gave me is something I now try to pass down. I value praise, but I also believe mistakes should be openly discussed. I’m a habitual list-maker—my laptop and desk are covered in post-its, and I use both digital and paper calendars. I expect the same level of thoroughness from others. My colleagues often joke that it’s unfortunate I got new glasses—I notice even more now than before.

Honesty is also essential to me. I don’t think it’s a weakness to ask questions. I encourage people to share their ideas — some of the best innovations come from the most unexpected suggestions.

You clearly care about your appearance. Is style a form of self-expression for you?

I’m not a fan of anything generic, but my style evolved over time. Once I found my place at work and learned to accept myself, I started feeling comfortable in my own skin. For me, style brings a sense of stability and confidence, and the way we dress reflects our standards.

Finally, can you share some of your favourite spots in Szentendre with our readers?

Don’t miss Vibe Bistro on Görög Street, or Teyföl, which has earned a Michelin recommendation and has quickly made a name for itself — both are well worth a visit.

Career Snapshot:

Zsófia Nagy-Bándli graduated with a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management from Szolnok College. From 1999 to 2004, she worked at the Best Western Grand Hotel Hungária. She joined Thermal Hotel Visegrád in 2004 as Front Office Manager, then moved into event sales in 2009. Between 2015 and 2020, she served as Director of Sales and Marketing, and from 2020 until March 2025 as Strategic Director. Since April 2025, she has held the role of General Manager.

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