Vacation Rentals by Owner

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:People with disabilities, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

my favorite place

Guest: alla (chicago, il usa)
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 laura

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Apartment Olive and Max

Guest: Robert (Clayton, California)
Date of Stay: 09/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/22/10

My wife and I and another couple just spent two weeks in Budapest at apartments Olive and Max. We stayed at Olive and our friends stayed at Max. We found both apartments to be completely user friendly and in excellent condition and exceedingly clean. We loved the fact that we were so close to all of the central attractions in Pest and close to both the Metro and Tram lines. As advertised they were plenty of great Hungarian restaurants nearby to choose from, and both neighborhoods were excellent to wander in and enjoy the local flavor. The amenities provided for in each apartment were first class and made our stays in these apartments extremely enjoyable. We would strongly recommended to anyone thinking of staying in Budapest to stay in apartment Olive or Max.

Recommended for:Age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Our Wonderful Stay at *OLIVE*

Guest: JO-ANNIE (Toronto, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 09/12/10

We chose “Olive” primarily because of its location, price range and the fact it was a flat on the main floor which we liked a lot. (we’re in our early-mid sixties). It is beautifully renovated with all the accoutrements one would hope for and many surprises too! John and Jeanne have pretty much thought of everything right down to the Nespresso machine, a huge library of DVDs, which after walking 6-10miles every day exploring and getting to know Budapest, were a real G-d send for us. The suite was immaculate and just the right size for 2-3 people. (We were 2). It is ideally located in the very heart of downtown Budapest and within easy walking distance to most attractions. We hired a private tour guide to take us around for the first couple of days to get the lay of the land. After that, we were on our own and from where Olive is situated, one can get to nearly everything on foot—close enough that you can still come home for lunch and head out again to indulge your curiosities again. There were many wonderful and affordable restaurants within a five minute walk if you cared to treat yourself now and then. John checked in with us regularly to ensure that all was okay--which was very much appreciated and if there were any concerns, and there were barely any, he responded immediately and effectively. John and Jeanne are very dedicated to this aspect of their lives – very passionate indeed. The resource material in the flat is excellent and we spent a great deal of time reading not just the sightseeing books, but Hungarian cook books as well. Attention to detail is at an all time high and we would definitely rent with John & Jeanne again. It turned out to be the perfect choice for a lovely suite for us. Bon Voyage! Michael & Jo-Ann, TORONTO, Canada

Recommended for:Sightseeing

A home away from home in an ideal location

Guest: Laura (Seattle, WA/USA)
Date of Stay: 08/08/10 Review Submitted: 09/24/10

After staying at Apartment Olive I have nothing but kind words for the apartment and its owners. I would without second thoughts recommend this apartment to anyone considering a stay in Budapest. The apartment is ideally situated in the city and I easily walked throughout the city with this as my starting location. Within the apartment, every possible step has been taken to ensure your stay is comfortable and memorable. From a library of guide books to a fully functioning kitchen, this apartment has everything you need to both enjoy Budapest and feel at home during your stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Comfortable, great location, and a great value with an European feeling.

Guest: Bob (Atlanta, Georgia, Southeast US)
Date of Stay: 08/06/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

This is our second visit to one of John's properties in Budapest. And like the first, we were welcomed warmly. The apartments enhanced our feeling of the culture of this unique city by it's character and location. As a first generaion American with Hungarian roots, I will be back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Home away from Home

Guest: Chris276 (Anchorage)
Date of Stay: 06/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/11/10

The Olive Apartment is a home away from home in the city center of Budapest. Owners John and Jeanne have anticipated the needs of the short and long-term traveler in this cozy apartment which is convenient to cafes, restaurants, and transportation. For the traveler who wants to feel a part of the real Budapest, Olive provides an experience of comfort and convenience in a charming historic building . The hosts have provided everything from comfortable and clean lodgings to a "welcome" bottle of Hungarian wine, up-to-date travel guides, and local contacts for taxis, tours, and gourmet delights. Having just spent 4 weeks at Olive, I can honestly recommend it for short or long term visits. John and Jeanne have your comfort and enjoyment in mind, and their expertise, as well as their local Hungarian contacts, made every day of my stay magical and unforgettable.

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

Don't stay anywhere else in Budapest (except for the other 5 apts. from same people)

Guest: Lisanne (Seattle, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/27/10

I rented two apartments in Budapest from the incredibly helpful and detail-oriented owner, John Farago. He so graciously helped us in every step of the way. We were two adults and four 20-somethings. From the beginning I could tell that this would be a deluxe top of the line apartment rental experience. I have rented many apartments, in the US and in Europe, and I have never had such a feeling of excellence in all aspects of the process. Nor has a host ever imparted such a love of a city (Budapest) and its people with quite obvious joy and wonder. I think John is compelled to help us all try to live and breathe a bit of the place he loves, to enjoy Budapest in all its intricacies and occasionally puzzling aspects. John offered several combinations of apartments that might work for us. I am so glad we took one of his suggestions--my husband and I would take (the very spacious) Andrei, and the four kids could all fit into the smaller but oh so lovely Olive. This was the best of everything. We also went with John's recommendation to have his driver pick us up, a great idea. I agree with all the other 5 star recommendations here. From the minute you arrive in one of the apartments, there is such welcoming and comfort. Wine, cheese, snacks, eggs, butter, coffee! I was thrilled when we visited the kids at Olive and my son had made an incredible omelet all from the food stocked in the apartment. Here is what one of the kids’ (age 27) who stayed there says about Olive: “We really enjoyed our stay at Apartment Olive. After a very long redeye flight, the owner promptly met us at the apartment and gave us all the directions we needed for an amazing time. The instructions for many gadgets included in the apartment were readily available and we were able to use the washer, cell phones, television, internet, and most importantly, the fully-stocked nespresso machine. The apartment is located perfectly near many fantastic bars and cafes and to lots of fun downtown options. We were easily able to walk to most sightseeing destinations in Budapest - from Margaret Island to the castle on the hill. Apartment Olive was a perfect combination of luxury (very comfortable beds and a shower fit for a king) and practicality. We certainly hope to be able to return someday!” …I cannot imagine returning to Budapest and NOT staying in one of John's apartments. I would change my dates to accommodate the schedule if need be.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Charming little place!

Guest: Landshark (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 04/07/10

Staying in an apartment, as opposed to a hotel, when staying in the same city for more than a couple of days turned out to be a great idea. As with any European apartment/hotel, the place was cozy. The small kitchen had everything we needed: a small refrigerator for storing leftovers from all the great restaurants (great mid-night snack!), a stovetop and microwave for reheating, and a small washing machine. I like to pack light so the washing machine saved me from washing my clothes in the sink. The bathroom had a surprisingly sizable shower and was stocked with any necessities you would need: toothpaste, razors, etc. The queen bed was comfortable. One of the best amenities was the Nestle espresso maker. It’s one of those machines that only requires water and the “espresso pod.” Great idea. The place was even stocked with a variety of espresso flavors. We had tasty instant espresso to fuel our tourist activities and keep us going for the night life. The location was great; we were able to walk to most places. There were restaurants, shopping, and a subway stop very within a block or two. I’ll be looking to stay here again on my next trip!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/23/09 Review Submitted: 07/23/09

Olive is a charming newly remodeled apartment in the heart of Pest. While in Budapest for an international legal conference, Apartment Olive was my home away from home. I had a marvelous stay. Located in a very quiet interesting courtyard in an older apartment building, Olive was an easy walk to all of the things I needed, I really enjoyed the amenities, the eclectic decorations, the high ceilings, the light, the internet, the fully equipped kitchen and the great shower. The bed was comfortable. I enjoyed the large cable TV in the living area. I had a chance to meet the owner John Farago, a charming and dedicated individual who takes great pride in the detail, cleanliness and efficiency of his units. The location and charm of Olive are particularly suited for a single traveler or a couple. I had a great time there and hope to go back.

Recommended for:

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/20/09

After countless (luxury) hotels, a place like Olive is balm for the soul. It is furnished thoughtfully and well: wine, salami and bread greet you on arrival and there's a nespresso machine if you don't feel like making a 30 second trip to the coffee bar just outside the courtyard entrance. the bed, duvet etc are all extremely comfortable and fit my 6' 2" frame easily. the bathroom shower stall is generous and the water hot and copious. unless its important for you to have a pianist in the lobby or a concierge at the desk, there is no earthly reason to choose an impersonal boxy hotel room over the chance of living in the city among the people: the central location means you are right in the thick of things. you are part of the city and not in some artficial cocoon

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