Barbara Apartmanház

Our stay near beautiful Balaton ended on a disappointing note. At payment, the amount was 100 euros more than what we had agreed by phone. We tried to sort it out three times and had several conversations, but the lady kept smiling and telling me I was mistaken. I showed her the much lower price on the official booking website, yet the hotel charged more. We wouldn’t have booked the room at that price, especially since the standard didn’t justify it. Booking officially through booking seems safest, because otherwise you may not know the final cost of your holiday.

The hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel, with all sorts of guests, from young and older couples to families with kids. In the rooms there’s a safe, TV, air conditioning, a mini kitchen with a fridge, and a cozy balcony with real flowers. The facilities are thoughtfully set up: plenty of parking, bright and clean interiors, lovely grounds, parrots, fish in the pond, a kids’ playground, ping pong, outdoor and indoor pools, and a warm jacuzzi among exotic trees. There’s enough to do without leaving the property. The people who run the place made a real difference to our trip. The owners and staff were kind, direct, and helpful, and the service was excellent. They made us feel welcome without putting on a show, pushing extras, asking unnecessary questions, or making us pay for things we didn’t need. If you do want to buy an extra service or something, you can. The hotel is also a nice introduction to Keszthely and a convenient gateway into the city. Keszthely is worth seeing, with a southern feel and plenty of interesting museums and galleries.

The staff are very friendly and supportive, and there’s even a dentist on site. The wellness facilities are decent, with indoor and outdoor pools and a jacuzzi that isn’t huge but is big enough. Libás-strand is about a 10-minute walk away, and the port and promenade of Keszthely are also nearby, though the review doesn’t give the number of minutes. The place feels like a trip back to the late 90s, although the WiFi broadband is a plus. It hasn’t kept up with the latest developments, but it’s still a friendly and comfortable place to stay. Dinner is chosen in advance from two weekly menus rather than an all-you-can-eat menu, but the food is delicious and filling.

A good spot for a few family days near Balaton Lake. The staff are super friendly, and they provide very good service for families with little kids.