Apt. Olive-Cozy Nest in the City Center

Apartment Olive

The kitchenette with washer in the living room

The tech center of the living room (tv, dvd, computer, VoIP and cell phones)

This owner has opted not to share the exact location of their property.

Calendar

This property does not have a published calendar. Contact the owner for availability.

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Overview Reviews Rates Calendar Location Owner Info Photos

Minimum stay:3-5 nights
Internet:Yes

Pets considered:No
Wheel chair accessible:No

Budapest apartment description

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

Bedrooms: 1 Bedroom, Sleeps 4, Beds for 2-4

Bedroom 1
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Convertible bed(s)
...more less
Queen size Beds (1), Sleep Sofa or Futons (1) Not a folding mattress; solid pull-out bed, as comfortable as a standard bed...more less

Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom

Bathroom 1
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Kitchen & Dining

Kitchen:
Compact kitchen with induction cooktop, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, and clothes washer (no oven)...more less

Microwave

Cooking Utensils
Refrigerator

Amenities

Linens Provided

Air Conditioning

Washing Machine

Other Amenities

FREE worldwide international calling. Nespresso coffee system, iPod dock and speakers, 1 block to Red and Blue Metro lines...more less

Entertainment

CD Player

Satellite / Cable

DVD Player
Video Library

Communications

Free Long Distance:
Vonage line with NYC incoming phone number and unlimited worldwide calling....more less
Mobile Phone:
Local mobile phone (guest responsible for time charges)....more less

Broadband Access:
Fastest available cable internet....more less
Computer Available:
Dual platform Mac....more less

Wireless Internet
Telephone

Activities

Shopping
Antiquing
Fitness Center

Sight Seeing
Museums
Restaurants

Live Theater
Cinemas
Health/Beauty Spa

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)....more less

Reviews

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Perfect location
Perfect location
- Guest Travellor (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
- Date of stay 09/28/13
- Review Submitted 11/22/13
Olive is located within walking distance of everything but Hero's Square, and there are excellent restaurants and a grocery store close by. John has equipped the apartment in a first class manor, anticipating all of our needs. The shower, from a North American perspective, is one of the best features of the apartment. Run with professionalism, there can be no doubt that should you rent Olive or one of it's "siblings" you will get exactly what you anticipate.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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charming condo
charming condo
- Guest carol & red vermeire (Chicago, IL)
- Date of stay 10/02/13
- Review Submitted 11/22/13
My husband and I stayed at this condo the first week of October. We had a perfect experience renting and enjoying this condo located in an ideal section of wonderful Budapest. John, the owner, arranged for his driver to meet us at the train station upon our arrival from Vienna and also for a driver upon our departure to the airport. Ilona met us when we arrived and did a thorough job of explaining everything about the apartment. We immediately felt at home with this living space--comfortable bed and linens, kitchen with refrigerator filled with meat and cheeses and a plate of sweets and a bottle of wine! It was clean, well-maintained and our every need anticipated. The Mac computer was very nice to have. Also, the free calls to the USA would have been nice but we couldn't get the phone to work. I'm sure it was something we did/didn't do. John would have helped us if we would have stayed home long enough to ask for his assistance! Budapest is a city of wonders. Make sure to read John's recommendations about places to go, see, and do. The nearby restaurant, Gerloczy Cafe, is charming. We ate there twice, both lunch and dinner. The pizza place, Vapiano, was excellent. Follow John's directions to find the best hot chocolate at Aztek. Of the 21 meals we had that week, we ate 6 of them out. The kitchen was very serviceable and the washing machine served us in good stead. Olive is so close to public transportation and grocery stores. We highly recommend Olive. We believe John's other places would be as welcoming as Olive.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Lovely way to see Budapest
Lovely way to see Budapest
- Guest Vermont retiree (Shelburne, Vermont, USA)
- Date of stay 10/10/13
- Review Submitted 11/19/13
My husband and I have always stayed in hotels when we travel and were planning to stay in one in Budapest. However, we met someone at a party a few weeks before we left who couldn't say enough about his apartment stay in Budapest and recommended it to us. The apartment he stayed in was not available but another property from the same owner was. We decided to give it a try and we are so pleased that we did, although it set a high bar for future rentals. The owner provides an incredible amount of information in advance, about the apartment and about Budapest. We arrived by train and took a subway and had no trouble finding the apartment, as we had detailed instructions and pictures to go by. We were met at the apartment and shown everything we needed to know. The location was perfect for all of the sight-seeing we did. We walked everywhere. It was so lovely to come home in the evening to our cozy space. Being off the courtyard made it very quiet. We can't say enough about all the amenities provided, including a Nespresso machine and milk frother, a washing machine, VOIP phone, and computer. The necessities were nicely provided for as well--great towels. And all of the info about where to shop, restaurants recommendations, etc. that we were sent in advance was there as well, along with every guidebook on Budapest ever written. We especially enjoyed the recommended Cafe Gerloczy, practically around the corner, where we ate twice. We left Budapest through the car service the owner recommends and had a pleasant, stress-free trip to the airport.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Olive Apartment
Olive Apartment
- Guest Georgia (Cohasset, MA)
- Date of stay 10/14/13
- Review Submitted 11/19/13
· Excellent location in Budapest. Very short walks to important sites in the city and very convenient to public transportation, which is easy to use in Budapest. Early 20th century building (my guess) with five stories and a large central courtyard. · The apartment itself was warm, spacious yet cozy, beautifully appointed and very charming. A lovely lady met us precisely at the agreed time to provide keys, information about the apartment and the area. · Of particular note, John has equipped the apartment with a marvelous library of books and videos about Budapest and Hungary. I strongly recommend to Olive Apartments visitors that they watch the video “Budapest to Gettysburg” a deeply moving story about Gabor Boritt, now a renowned Civil War scholar at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. The video and Professor Boritt’s personal history sheds much light on Hungary’s recent history. (see trailer, attached-http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=+Budapest+to+Gettysburg&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=61C7691827A3C3249F2C61C7691827A3C3249F2C) · The apartment was also equipped with an excellent TV and phones that can be used for local calls and a phone that can be used (free of charge) for international calls. We were able to call our children in the States a couple of times. · John very graciously supplied the apartment with eggs, pastries, cheese, sausage slices and a bottle of wine. This was so thoughtful and “above and beyond”. Also available were a few umbrellas in case of rain although save for one drizzly day when we were inside visiting the Museum of Terror ( a “must see” ) we had wonderful early autumn weather. · During our 3 ½ weeks in Eastern/Central Europe we visited seven countries. Budapest was our favorite location (closely followed by Prague). Why?: Proud yet friendly people, very cosmopolitan; magnificent architecture and an obvious commitment to restoring 18th and 19th century buildings that were neglected during the Communist era; excellent food, wine and beer and a reviving “café culture” that we fully participated in during our short stay; a rich, fascinating history. I could go on and on.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Olive Apartment in Bujdapest
Olive Apartment in Bujdapest
- Guest Tom (San Francisco,CA)
- Date of stay 04/07/13
- Review Submitted 07/03/13
The Olive is a highly functional, small apartment in the heart of Budapest,perfect for a couple or a couple with a small child. It is clean and well organized in a charming old building just off a square which offers one of the best restaurants in Budapest, Cafe' Gerloczy. Even if you don't stay at one of John Farago's fine apartments, Cafe' Gerloczy is a must. John also provides excellent recommendations for many other sites and establishments around Budapest, plus free internet and phone service. Finally, when you are dealing with John, you can be certain that you will be treated fairly and honestly, which considering some apartment services in Europe is not always the case.

Recommended for: Tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

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A Wonderful Little Apartment in Budapest
A Wonderful Little Apartment in Budapest
- Guest Sarah (New Hampshire, USA)
- 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: Tourists without a car, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

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An absolute gem in Budapest
An absolute gem in Budapest
- Guest glory7 (Toronto, Canada)
- 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: Tourists without a car, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Amazing
Amazing
- Guest Orla (Bristol, England)
- 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: Tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Olive Apartment in Budapest
Olive Apartment in Budapest
- Guest Michael P. (Texarkana, TX)
- 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: Tourists without a car, girls getaway, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Great place to stay in Budapest
Great place to stay in Budapest
- Guest Frank and Connie (Detroit MI)
- 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: Tourists without a car, people with disabilities, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

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Rates

Rental basis: Per property

Dates	Nightly	Weekend Night	Weekly	Monthly *	Event

EASTER 2014 Apr 12 - Apr 30, 2014 5 night min stay	€75
Rates are based on 1 guests; add €25 per night, per additional guest

PEAK SEASON May 1 - Oct 31, 2014 3 night min stay	€75

AUTUMN Nov 1 - Nov 21, 2014 3 night min stay	€50
Rates are based on 1 guests; add €25 per night, per additional guest

THANKSGIVING Nov 22 - Nov 30, 2014 5 night min stay	€75
Rates are based on 1 guests; add €25 per night, per additional guest

WINTER 2014-15 Dec 1 - Dec 19, 2014 3 night min stay	€35
Rates are based on 1 guests; add €25 per night, per additional guest

WINTER HOLIDAYS 2014-15 Dec 20 - Jan 10, 2015 5 night min stay	€75
Rates are based on 1 guests; add €25 per night, per additional guest

My Standard Rate 3 night min stay	€75

Additional information about rental rates

Fees:

Taxes Not included

Notes:

SPECIAL WINTER DISCOUNTS FOR STAYS OF 8 OR MORE NIGHTS

cash on arrival unless other arrangements have been made; credit cards accepted (additional processing fee)

This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Always make sure to call the number on the listing to confirm payment details. Only pay using credit card, PayPal, check or direct bank transfer. NEVER pay by cash or instant money transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Learn more

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Calendar

Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner for more information.

Location

This owner has opted not to share the exact location of their property.

A

Apartment Olive at Varoshaz utca View on map

A cozy garden apartment off a historic and verdant courtyard, serene and warm and yet in the absolute center of the city.
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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).