If you follow me on any form of social media, you’ve probably heard me wangin’ on about Budapest as of late.
#SorryNotSorry
You see, in the almost 11 years that Joe and I have been an item, we’ve not had all that many holidays – two in fact, with one being our honeymoon. What with renovating, wedding planning and Luna’s arrival, it’s just never quite managed to reach the top of the priority pile.
But with Joe turning 30 this month, I did good. I surprised him with a minibreak to Budapest and wanted to do something a bit special when it came to a hotel. AND IT WAS ACE.
I’d heard good things about Airbnb so picked something a little quirky. I booked a small but punchy apartment all to ourselves pretty local to the sites, within a residential area. It was called The Nest, owned by my new Hungarian chum, Viktor. Wanna see inside?
The Building
Let me tell you, arriving here at near midnight was a bit of a shock to the system. Budapest’s architecture is stunning – truly it is. But in some of the more residential areas there are signs of wear and tear. We really only made this discovery once we buzzed into the building. The ceilings were tall and majestic with intricate detailing that had clearly been there for over a century. But there was also graffiti and peeling paint. Personally, I don’t mind the rustic authenticity of it, but walking through the shadowy staircase was a bit spooky!
The Open Plan Interior
The inside was open plan, and I mean really open plan. To the right was a kitchen and living area. Straight ahead, a dining table where we were welcomed with beautiful lavender and drinks. And just beyond that? The bathroom. In the same room.
Seriously.
The walk-in glass shower was part of the open-plan living space and I know it sounds weird, but I thought it was frickin’ awesome and it just worked. A curtain divided the spaces should you wish for some privacy (Joe did not choose this option – I won’t include the images) and for those who want to spend a penny in private, the toilet was behind a closed door you’ll be glad to hear.
Also, the bedroom was behind a slider. One of the barn style sliding doors in a washed pine which matched the kitchen units. As far as making most of the space, this apartment nailed it.
The Little Details
I feel like this apartment summed up my feelings of Budapest pretty well. Plenty of nods to nature through the pine, woollen knits and faux furs; Industrial vibes thanks to the metal locker which held spare bedding, the epic exposed brick ceiling and the scrap piano piece which was turned into a full length mirror. Oh, and the TV was even stilted on an upcycled…something. Seriously no idea what it was. Pair all that with edgy artwork in most corners and brightly coloured pillows and rugs, and you’re onto a winner in my eyes.
Okay I think I’ve gushed over it enough for now! I think I paid about £40 to stay here for 2 nights. Couldn’t quite believe the bargain I got. After leaving a review when I got home, I discovered that the same guy owns a few around Budapest, all with different styles but just as cosy and individual.
We’ll definitely be going back to Budapest at some point and I can’t wait to try one of Viktor’s other cribs! Which is your favourite bit? Do you like the design? Be honest, would you use the fishbowl shower?
