Apartment Olive
Location: Budapest, Hungary, Europe (Across from City Hall, a unique romantic garden apartment) View Map
Accommodations: Apartment, 1 Bedroom + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-4)
WINTER SUPER SPECIAL: One guest, 10 or more nights, HALF OFF (each additional guest adds 5 Euros/night).
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.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Convertible Bed : Not a folding mattress; solid pull-out bed, as comfortable as a standard bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Compact kitchen with induction cooktop, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, and clothes washer (no oven)
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance : Vonage line with NYC incoming phone number and unlimited worldwide calling.
- Cell Phone : Local mobile phone (guest responsible for time charges).
- Computer : Dual platform Mac.
- Broadband Internet : Fastest available cable internet.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- FREE worldwide international calling. Nespresso coffee system, iPod dock and speakers, 1 block to Red and Blue Metro lines
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Shopping
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Vaci utca is one block away, the Great Synagogue, the Basilica, the National Museum, the Danube, and the Central Market are all within a 5 minute walk; the bus to two of Budapest's best thermal baths is just outside the door...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).
Rate Details (In Euros)
Winter (Nov-March) ............... €30/night (1 adult)
Spring & Fall (March-Apr & Oct) .. €65/night (1 adult)
Summer (May-Sep) ............... €70/night (1 adult)
Each additional guest (maximum of 4 guests total) + €10
Christmas-New Years (December 15-January 10) book at Summer rates
weekly cleaning fee of €25
no other charges; all services and amenities included
SUPER JAN/FEB SPECIAL: 1 adult, 8 nights or more, 15/night (add'l guest 5/nt)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2008
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).
A cozy garden apartment off a historic and verdant courtyard, serene and warm and yet in the absolute center of the city.
Owner's Map of Budapest
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.
Property Photos
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- Apartment Olive
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- The living room with leather sofabed
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- The kitchenette in the living room
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- The dining corner
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- The tech center of the living room (tv, dvd, computer, VoIP and cell phones)
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- Bedroom door from living room
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- Cozy queen bed
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- Olive bathroom with antique washstand
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- Custom shower with tiled seat
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- Welcome to Apartment Olive
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- The building courtyard...
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- Olive from the courtyard
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- The entry gate
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- Living room chandelier ...
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- Carved antique wardrobe detail ...
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- Antique chandelier in bathroom ... detail
Traveler Reviews (19)
Central, convenient, home away from home
Guest: Noell
(Perth, Western Australia)
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+.
Sweet apartment everything you could need and then some
Guest: Chris
(Minneapolis )
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+.
Olive Rocks!
Guest: Kate
(Portland, Oregon, USA)
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.
Peaceful retreat in an excellent location
Guest: PH
(Vancouver, Canada)
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:People with disabilities, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Well appointed apartment in the heart of Budapest
Guest: Rosemary Groves
(Pitt Meadows, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/26/11
Review Submitted: 09/11/11
My husband and I recently spent three nights at Olive. Our positive experience started at the airport where we were met (arranged by the owner) by our driver. At the apartment we were greeted by the manager who efficiently orientated us to the features of the apartment and answered all of our questions. We arrived in 40 degree heat so the A/C was a most welcome feature. The apartment is centrally located and in walking distance of all major sites, restaurants and shops and most importantly the Danube. Olive is well appointed and has everything you would need for a short or longer stay. The bed is very comfortable, the bathroom spacious and modern and the living/dining area is more than adequate. The owner has provided an abundance of information related to the apartment and Budapest and there are many travel books and guides to assist you in exploring this wonderful city. We have stayed in many VRBO accomodations and many treat you to a bottle of local wine. Olive goes one step further and you are treated to not only a bottle of wine, but a plate of local pastries and the fridge is stocked with breakfast items. We arrived later in the day so it was very helpful to not have to find a grocery store immediately. There is one close by which met all of our needs. The owner and many guests recommend a little restaurant, just a stone's throw from Olive and it is certainly worthy of a visit or two. We don't hesitate to recommend this apartment to couples who want an authentic experience in this fascinating city.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+.
A cozy home away from home, all amenities included
Guest: Nina
(New York, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11
Review Submitted: 08/04/11
We had a wonderful time in Olive. We prefer to stay in apartments rather than hotels when traveling to feel part of the city and also to have a place to relax after a day of sightseeing, and Olive provided everything we needed to be completely comfortable in Budapest. It was well-located -- very close to the subway station with a direct route to the airport, and within walking distance of many of the attractions and several subway stations. Budapest is a fantastic city, and one of our favorite restaurants was right around the block from Olive -- Pesti Lampas, where we had duck three ways. John was incredibly helpful leading up to our trip -- and actually adjusted his schedule based on the days we needed the apartment -- with restaurant and attraction suggestions, and was also completely available for assistance when we were there. He checked in on us several times and made sure we had everything we needed. I would highly recommend staying in his apartments again -- for more than a couple, Olive would be a bit small, although doable, but it was perfect for our needs.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Texan in Budapest
Guest: LMB
(Houston, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11
Review Submitted: 08/03/11
We loved our time at apartment olive! It's in a quiet, leafy courtyard. The master bedroom is clean and roomy, and the bathroom is newly updated. The owners leave plenty of information - recommended sights, reading material on Budapest, as well as written instructions for appliances, including a Nespresso machine. The location is unbeatable - walkable to tourist attractions such as the central market, Vaci utca, Cathedral, and Chain Bridge. There are two major metro stops within 5 minutes walking, and there is a 24 hour grocery store near by. You can't beat this - it's an amazing value. If it's available, book now.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
The ideal place to stay in Budapest
Guest: Rob
(Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11
Review Submitted: 04/20/11
I stayed at Apt Olive over four nights and enjoyed the experience greatly. The owners have done an amazing job on the renovation, making for a very high standard of accommodation. I wished I could have stayed longer! I particularly liked the ambience of the older building on the outside, and stepping into the high ceiling luxury on the inside. The location couldn't be better, and I was able to walk to everything I wanted to see in relative comfort, including the palace and the hills of Pest. I was made to feel most welcome, with the owners providing some basic provisons to get me started...a very nice touch indeed....and the pick-up from the station made everything beautifully simple. I would highly recommend Apt Olive for one or two people.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
A Perfect Retreat In Budapest
Guest: Berg
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 10/09/09
Review Submitted: 12/04/10
I recently had the pleasure of staying in Olive, an apartment in a wonderful location in Budapest. The apartment was so well thought out from the king sized bed to the amenties provided by the landlord. It is in a wonderful location. Budapest is a very walkable city and truly this apartment will make you want to explore Budapest. The landlord has provided so many amenities that make the apartment so comfortable for your stay. It really provides you with things you would find in a five star hotel without the price and even more. A great apartment for a very reasonable price. What more could one ask for?
Recommended for:People with disabilities, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Olive has all the comforts of home and then some
Guest: Evelyne
(France)
Date of Stay: 10/13/10
Review Submitted: 10/26/10
This apartment is fantastic. Central location but on a quiet courtyard with trees. Furnishings are top of the line and no detail is spared -- guidebooks, DVDs, a well-stocked refrigerator etc. etc. John and his team do everything to make your stay comfortable. Olive is a welcoming place in the middle of a fabulous city. I can't imagine staying in Budapest anywhere else, unless it was another of John and Jeanne's apartments. (The shower, by the way, was so inspirational I'm trying to figure out how to replicate it in my own home.)
Recommended for:People with disabilities, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+.
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