Apt. Olive-Cozy Nest in the City Center
- Minimum stay:Contact owner
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
Apartment Olive is a small, cozy garden apartment, opening into the courtyard of a landmark building in the very heart of Budapest: the geographic fulcrum of the Belvaros (the historic inner semi circle around the Danube) is Ferenciek Square, and Apartment Olive’s building fronts directly onto that square. It’s one of the city’s oldest residential buildings (the building is a bit tattered), sitting directly across from Budapest City Hall.
The courtyard is lovely, lush, and green, extremely unusual for Budapest, with shrubbery and wildflowers and trees growing wilily nilly. Olive opens off the courtyard and so it is quiet and restful even though it is in the dead center of a historic world capital city.
Our favorite pastry shop is across the street from the Ferenciek side of the building; our favorite café is a block away from the City Hall (Varoshaz) side of the building. The Astoria stop of the Red metro is a block from the Varoshaz side, the Ferenciek stop on the Blue metro is just outside the Ferenciek side.
If you exit the Varoshaz side you are across the street from one of the few international newsstands in the city, and that café a block away is the Gerloczy, one of the nicest places for a comfortable meal, coffee, beer, lemonade, or simply a rest in the city center.
The Danube is just a couple of blocks’ walk, the pedestrianized Vaci utca is one block away, the Central Market Hall and Vorosmarty Square are each about 5-10 minutes away depending on how fast you stroll. The Great Synagogue is 2-3 blocks away, the Basilca about 6-8. You can catch a bus into Buda (or the Red Metro) just outside the door.
The apartment itself is ideal for 1-3 people. We have renovated it to capture the feel of an upscale fin de siecle Hungarian garden apartment, with vaulted ceilings and antiques and traditional artisanal pieces throughout. There’s a queen sized bed in the bedroom, a custom shower in the heated tile bathroom (with a converted antique bentwood chamberpot stand as the sink). The bedroom has a (gated and curtained) double door opening directly onto the courtyard for cool summer light, just beside a lovely small antique wardrobe for your clothes.
You enter from the courtyard directly into the livingroom, which has a kitchenette with induction cooktop, fridge, microwave, and clothes washer; a bay window and window seat adjacent to the dining table, a queen convertible sofa (not a folding mattress but a comfortable solid queen), a large flatpanel TV, high speed WiFi internet, free Nespresso coffee system and coffee, free international VOIP outbound calling (and an inbound US telephone number for low-cost incoming calls from the USA).
Olive is two blocks south of our Szervita ter apartment (VRBO #124227) and 2 blocks north of our Apartment Max (VRBO #151479).
If you know Budapest perhaps you have a sense of the ways in which the neighborhood is difficult to describe...while the building that houses Olive is a landmark in the midst of the bustling center city, the apartment is quiet, and one has the feeling of getting away from it all when one is inside (the doors to the courtyard from the street are locked to outsiders after dark).
Yet when you walk out into the street you are within striking distance of almost all major tourist venues. And, less obviously, you are also in a thriving small residential neighborhood -- there are several supermarkets nearby, a laundry across the street, a cleaners two blocks away, a pharmacy nearby, many neighborhood cafes, and a movie house around the corner.
Keywords:
Property Type
- Apartment
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Not Allowed
Kitchen & Dining
- Microwave
- Cooking Utensils
- Refrigerator
Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Satellite / Cable
- DVD Player
- Video Library
- CD Player
Communications
- Wireless Internet
- Telephone
Activities
- Shopping
- Antiquing
- Fitness Center
- Sight Seeing
- Museums
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Cinemas
- Health/Beauty Spa
Other Activities
Reviews
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A Wonderful Little Apartment in Budapest
A Wonderful Little Apartment in Budapest
- Guest Sarah
- Date of stay 05/01/13
- Review Submitted 05/17/13
I traveled to Budapest to visit my daughter, who was finishing a college semester of study. She joined me for the week, and we had a wonderful stay in Apartment Olive. The universally good reviews are true-Olive is a sweet, efficient, and affordable oasis in the center of Pest. The instructions for how to navigate the copious amenities were written in detailed pages. I spent a long time reading them, and though at first felt a bit overwhelmed by all of the information, found them helpful and instructive. The recommendations and musings about the city are invaluable-- A true insider's view. The espresso machine was heartily used, and the local wine, pastries, eggs, milk and cold cuts were an extra touch that went above and beyond the usual rental property. This thoughtfulness and hospitality is displayed throughout the stay--before, during and after. Any and all questions are promptly addressed. There is an extensive library of books and DVDs relating to Hungary, hand hewn towels, toilet articles in the modern and spacious bathroom with gorgeous shower, and a comfortable bed. The ceilings are high, giving the two rooms, which I think most suitable for one or two people, a feeling of spaciousness. The design is gracious and welcoming. After a long winter, our week in May brought summer like temps. We walked and walked and enjoyed sitting outside at cafes and restaurants, going to the Baths, climbing the hills of Buda for the views of Pest and the Danube--walking in City Park, and exploring the rich cultural offerings of the city. Olive is a terrific bargain, and a way to feel less like a tourist cloistered in a hotel. Budapest buildings have wonderful courtyards, and the two at The Olive are expansive. As the heading says, a little nest in the bustling city of Budapest. I wholeheartedly recommend Apartment Olive, and feeling as if I have just scratched the surface of the city, hope to return soon.Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.
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An absolute gem in Budapest
An absolute gem in Budapest
- Guest glory7
- Date of stay 05/24/12
- Review Submitted 04/27/13
Everything you could possibly want in a home away from home. John doesn't miss a beat and then some. In all of our travels around the globe, we have never stayed in an apartment where the owner is so interested in pleasing his guests, attentive and anticipates your every need - yummy welcome pastries, basic food needs in fridge, Nespresso coffee, gear for the local spas, medicinal, travel info, guide books, VOIP, transportation tickets, modern TV and electronics, fabulous Turkish towels and the warmth of Apt. Olive.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
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Amazing
Amazing
- Guest Orla
- Date of stay 02/09/13
- Review Submitted 03/10/13
This bijou apartment is not only in a fantastic location, but once you enter inside, you cannot believe how the owners have just thought of everything. It was without the doubt the best apartment I have stayed in. First of all, it has everything you need, and then it has everything you want. The supply of information, Dvds, fridge supplies, coffee, oh it just has everything and it's warm and cosy and you just feel when you're there that the owners would just die with embarrassment if you found anything wanting, and so, you just don't. Amazing value as well. I don't know what I liked best about the apartment because I just loved everything.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
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Olive Apartment in Budapest
Olive Apartment in Budapest
- Guest Michael P.
- Date of stay 11/13/12
- Review Submitted 12/14/12
John is the best host ever! He took great pains to make sure that we were knowledgable about every feature of the apartment, the neighborhood, and the city. He arranged for his driver to pick us up at teh airport and for his manager to be on call during our stay, and then courteously followed up with questions as to how he might improve! Wow! The apartment lived up to our expectation: it was lovely to look at and was in a perfect location. One would think that an apartment in teh heart of the city would also be in a noisy area, but Olive was serenely quiet and peaceful. It is an unbelieveable value also.Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.
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Great place to stay in Budapest
Great place to stay in Budapest
- Guest Frank and Connie
- Date of stay 04/13/12
- Review Submitted 05/09/12
Great location and a wonderful place to stay in Budapest. We were right in the middle of Pest. There is no better location for sightseeing. We ate in almost every night and the kitchen was fully equipped. Good bathroom and bed plus a ton of information from the owner. If you rent apartment Olive you'll love it.Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
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my favorite place
my favorite place
- Guest alla
- Date of stay 04/08/12
- Review Submitted 04/18/12
dear john! thank you very much for letting us enjoy your beautiful appt. olive. u definately go above and beyond anything we've ever experienced staying in over 20 diffirent appartments over the last 5 years in different countries. the location is perfect. the place is charming and spotless with absolutely everything and anything one might desire. starting with the fancy cofee machine, bottle of great wine, tray of bakery goods, salami, cheese, milk, butter, eggs... we never had to go shopping for food during our 4 day stay. all the emergency supplies that are in the bathroom are unbelievable. bandaid, shavers, toothbrushes, shaving cream, etc. u thought of everything. we appreciate your calls with offers of advice and help, appreciate you offering to get us the bus tickets and dropping them off in the appartment. oh, and the shower! unbelievable! the heated floor was amazing! free phone calls to chicago were an unexpected bonus. all in all, just the best place anyone can ask for. what a beautiful city budapest is! thank you, john, for a great place to stay. we cant wait to recommend your properties to our friends, and hope to come back to budapest again. thank you very much, alla and lauraRecommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, families with young children, girls getaway.
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Central, convenient, home away from home
Central, convenient, home away from home
- Guest Noell
- Date of stay 10/28/11
- Review Submitted 12/19/11
We found the "Olive Apartment" to be so comfortable. We were met on arrival and made very welcome and the information provided about getting around, places to eat and shop was extremely helpful. The property was clean, well located in Central Budapest and we loved watching the dvd's from the huge collection when we were too tired to go out again. Top class!Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+.
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Sweet apartment everything you could need and then some
Sweet apartment everything you could need and then some
- Guest Chris
- Date of stay 06/12/11
- Review Submitted 10/23/11
I would love to go back. The owners have thought of everything you might want or need and have tons of information to enrich your trip. The owner (John) even called personally to ask if everything was OK. We arrived to a stocked fridge and great coffee. Great location, clean, quiet, and safe. We walked everywhere with great restaurants within a few steps. We were met at our hotel and given the keys without even giving the agent any money. I especially loved the Hungarian films, and books of tips on what to see and do. Found concerts and activities that we would not have know about without the helpful tips. All our needs were met and then some.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+.
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Olive Rocks!
Olive Rocks!
- Guest Kate
- Date of stay 08/07/11
- Review Submitted 10/09/11
In August my partner and I spent a week using Apartment Olive as our base for exploring Budapest. Olive is a wonderful oasis between the two worlds of Budapest. Out the back gate is a quiet neighborhood dominated by the city and county halls. The streets are quiet, people walk their dogs, and around the corner at the Cafe Gerloczy, friends chat for hours over snacks and a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Out the front gate is the glorious, if now somewhat unloved, Parisi Udvar, one of the most beautiful buildings in Budapest, smack in the middle of one of the busiest tourist and restaurant streets in the city. This block alone would give the traveler a good taste of the many faces of Budapest: hip, urban up to date city; struggling, grimy parts working to come back from soviet neglect; and glorious jewels of Budapest's glory days, some restored, some waiting for their turn. Olive herself is a delight, a cozy little apartment with a much bigger heart. The apartment itself is nicely decorated and very comfortable, but John and Jeanne, your hosts, make it so much more than that. Pastries, coffee, tea, groceries in the fridge. They even left me a birthday gift, John having noticed from my passport that I would have it just as I was leaving Budapest. And Olive's location in an inner courtyard means you can have all the energy, bustle and life that is Budapest at your fingertips, and then close a big wooden door to the courtyard and enjoy the sound of birds chirping. It's a lovely place to take a quiet break from your sightseeing or cafe hopping. And do try the Unicum. They sell tiny bottles of it at the great market hall. If nothing else, the entertainment value of watching your traveling partners taste is worth the price of admission.Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
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Peaceful retreat in an excellent location
Peaceful retreat in an excellent location
- Guest PH
- Date of stay 09/01/11
- Review Submitted 09/14/11
We really enjoyed our stay at this apartment. The location of the 'Olive' is superb and it provides a quiet, homey base to explore Budapest. The apartment is not only well maintained and nicely appointed but the owners/manager do an excellent job at making it feel like home. Some food in the fridge, a bottle of wine, an espresso machine with coffee, a small library (with Budapest resources), their own detailed suggestions/recommendations for restaurants and ways to explore the city, and many more thoughtful details. Air conditioning, WiFi, a cell phone, a VOIP phone for free calls to numerous countries. And, a real bonus if you are travelling for a while - a washing machine... Although the building is rather scruffy from the street, you enter one of the enticing Budapest courtyards leaving the noise of the streets behind. The only negative (and the ONLY reason we didn't rate it as 'Excellent') is that the courtyard area was under construction (they are installing an elevator). So... a bit of noise and construction debris from that. I would guess that will be completed by early fall 2011 since it looked like they were well into the project. I suppose the other possible negative (it wasn't for us) is that the kitchen is small, so if you were renting for an extended stay and were planning to do a lot of cooking, you may miss having an oven. However, it does have an induction cooktop and microwave... We would stay there again and fully recommend it. Booking and coordinating the rental was very easy (we were a bit nervous as we'd never rented this type of accommodation before). It is an apartment that feels like 'home' and is a peaceful retreat - something very nice when spending long days exploring the busy city.Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
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Rates
Peak: Late Spring-Early Fall (May 1-Oct 31): €90/night (1-2 adults), min 3 nights Winter: November 28 - February 28: €50/night (1 guest), min 3 nights In Between: March 1-April 30 and Nov. 1-15: €65/night (1 guest), min 3 nights Each additional guest (maximum of 4 guests total) + €10/night Holidays: (11/16-24), (12/14-1/12), and (4/12-27) book at Peak rates Cleaning fee of €40/week for up to two guests Add'l Cleaning fee for a 3rd or 4th guest: €10/person/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Calendar
Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner/manager for more information.
Location
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2008
About the owner: John's father grew up in Budapest, and John grew up hearing about it, filtered through the oddly appealing love/hate lens of nazism and communism and Central European nostalgia. His father left in the mid-30s, and never went back until a 1975 week-long visit. But Hungary lived within him throughout his colorful career as a journalist, popular historian (author of the books that the films Patton and Tora, Tora, Tora were based on), propagandist and operative for Radio Free Europe. He died in 1980.
Why the Owner Chose Budapest:
My wife Jeanne and I visited in 2001 with my father's younger brother, spent a weekend and fell in love with it. We purchased and renovated these apartments for our own use (Belle and Sarah are our daughters, Max is our son, Olive and Andrei are our grandchildren) and only rent them when we are not using them ourselves for friends and family (we have another apartment where we stay ourselves, not very far away).
The Unique Benefits at this Apartment:
We are passionate about Budapest and want to share that enthusiasm with our guests. We would be happy to assist in any way we can to help you have a wonderful trip whether you stay with us or elsewhere. Unless you speak Hungarian, booking tickets to concerts or events can be daunting, and are best handled in advance because so much sells out so swiftly...we are happy to take care of this kind of thing, advise about the city, or book a reservation in a restaurant for the day you arrive (though you may be weary by then).
Contact us
- Primary: (212) 348-0815 (New York, USA)
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - our insiders' guide to Budapest
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Apartment Olive
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into the apartment...
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The kitchenette with washer in the living room
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Cozy dining corner
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Bedroom door from living room
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Olive bathroom with antique washstand
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The details make the difference...
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Carved antique wardrobe ...
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entering Olive from the courtyard...
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The living room with leather sofabed
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The tech center of the living room (tv, dvd, computer, VoIP and cell phones)
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Cozy queen bed
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Custom tiled walk-in shower with bench
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Living room antique chandelier ...
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Antique chandelier in bathroom ...
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Saturday, May 25, 2013
(212) 348-0815 (New York, USA)