Hotel Astoria is one of Budapest's most charming old-style hotels. The first General Manager, Mihaly Gellert, who formerly worked for the world-famous Waldorf Astoria in New York, and the owners gave the name of the hotel, which was opened in 1914. Astoria was reconstructed and modernised several times during its 90-year past, but it has preserved the romantic atmosphere of the last turn-of-the-century. The Empire-style interior decoration, the marble cover and fancy carpets, the crystal chandeliers, glittering mirrors and stained-glass windows, the marvellous works of art providesperfect scenery for film shooting, so film producers and directors often take the advantage of the excellent facilities of the hotel.