If Wes Anderson films are known for one thing, it’s his distinct aesthetic. Combining a superbly bright colour palette with miniatures and plenty of quick side shifts from the camera, you know when you’re watching a Wes Anderson film. While he has a great many excellent films in his collection, one invariably ranks among his very best.
That film is The Grand Budapest Hotel. Starring Ralph Fiennes as a man attempting to clear his name of theft and secure his rightful inheritance, the bright pink hotel and focus on the class of the hotel and daintiness of Fiennes’ preferred picks for guests and friends make it the quintessential Wes Anderson experience. Now, a new experience is coming to London, and one that includes an often overlooked, but essential, part of the film.
The Sweet Treats of The Grand Budapest Hotel
In The Grand Budapest Hotel, one element that’s pervasive throughout, but proves to be very important to the plot later on, is the classy sweet treats. Always ordered from Mendl’s, Fiennes’ character, Gustave H., often requires that his guests be treated with their pastries and cakes. It very much plays into his fastidious character and his relentless requirements for perfection.
Later in the film, the quality of these treats is so high that it can not only win Gustave some much-needed allies, but also help him to get out of a particularly sticky situation. It’s quite rare that cakes and baked goods offer such a strong reflection of character and importance in a film not about cooking, but Mendl’s certainly do so, and offer the added touch of being so appealing to the audience. After all, sweets and treats have proven to be popular among audiences.
Some inspire people to pick up a new baking cookbook, like the latest hit Mary 90 by Mary Berry. Even when they’re not real, treats draw in the crowds. People play Sweet Bonanza, for example, because of the colourful aesthetic and its plethora of treats on the reels. Of course, it’s the multipliers of up to 100x that keep players around, but the reason for the initial click is invariably the theme. Now, an event in London looks to bring the iconic movie sweets to life.
A Full Grand Budapest Experience, Sweets and All
While the Grand Budapest Hotel was filmed in Germany and its director is American, it’s London that’ll soon be bringing the famed film to life. The Design Museum, which also had a fairly recent Tim Burton exhibition, will now be celebrating one of Wes Anderson’s most beloved films, and some of his other creations, too. Still, centre stage will be the model of The Grand Budapest Hotel, per The Independent.
The 600-object display will also feature a bunch of original props and costumes from across his filmography. There will also be insights from behind the scenes, ready to be explored by patrons. This alone would be enough to have film fans flocking to the London venue. To top it all off, though, the Design Museum will be bringing Mendl’s creations to life. Visitors will get to try the Anderson-themed afternoon tea, complete with the three-tiered dessert.
Coming to London on 21 November 2025 and sticking around until 26 July 2026, there’s plenty of time to explore the works of Wes Anderson and indulge in one of the most eye-catching elements of one of his best films to date.
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