Lavender Circus Hostel

The unusual interior design is interesting, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. There are some serious drawbacks, though. There's no elevator, so getting to the fourth floor means using the stairs. The rooms badly need maintenance, and the layout hasn't been thought through well. There's nowhere to hang or store clothes and no bathroom shelves. The shower head holder was broken, and the hot water boiler is too small for a comfortable stay. Heating is controlled by one thermostat in the hallway for all the rooms. The photos on Booking.com are mixed up and don't accurately show the actual rooms.

The apartment was such a cozy place, and we loved all of it. Since this was our first trip to Budapest, we were really glad we chose it and would happily come back. The building is grand, and the hostel's style carries right through from the hallways into the bathroom. The reception is gorgeous and full of character. The staff were lovely, even when we arrived close to midnight, and bringing us extra pillows was no trouble. It’s right opposite the National Museum, which is a fantastic spot. There’s no elevator, though the stairs are manageable and suit the building. The apartment also got too hot, and we couldn’t adjust the heating. We might have asked the staff, but we were too lazy. Highly recommend.

The location is the one good thing here. My private bathroom shower only gave cold water, the toilet wouldn’t flush properly, and the towels had a strange smell. The building key also failed, so I had trouble getting inside after midnight. Very disappointing, and the place felt quite sketchy.

The area has plenty of places for a meal, coffee, or a drink, and metro stations are just a short walk away. Getting around the city was easy. The building itself is lovely, especially the courtyard, so even though climbing to the upper floors without an elevator gets tiring, it felt worth it. I thought the little notes on each floor marking how many steps you’d climbed were really cute. Our room and bathroom were spotless and had everything we needed. The staff were so kind and ready to help, and they made us feel welcome. It was a wonderful stay from beginning to end.