The Little Corner Apartment, Budapest

In Budapest downtown, right in the heart of the action so to say, is a nifty studio accommodation deemed the Little Corner Apartment by its Hungarian owner, Bali. On a frightfully cold day when the sight of frosty fields and bare trees were a forewarning of what was to come our way – namely, hands that could not stray for a few seconds out of well-insulated gloves and feet that froze within the boots, however many layers of insulated socks you had on – we arrived on a quiet street just round the corner from the hip n’ happening Jewish quarter in Pest.

Now, Budapest is bisected by the river Danube into two cities. Buda is the uphill part of the city with its palace and wealthy residential quarters and Pest (the Hungarians pronounce it as Peshth) is the flat part but with a significantly upbeat vibe to it.

Passing by the ivy-laden facade of an antique shop and a couple of cafés, we were soon shivering outside the massive doors of a 100-year-old building. The owner of the apartment, Bali, took us in a fairly old-world elevator to what was going to be our home for the next four days. The doors opened in to an industrial chic space, done up thoughtfully by Bali and his wife, using eco-friendly materials.

Exposed bricks, distressed walls and cupboards were offset by a bright pop of colour in the shape of a red throw on the sofa-bed that stood at one corner of the apartment. My favourite touch along with the distressed look were exposed light bulbs hanging off roughly-looped wires. They made for an artless, and yet, effortlessly stylish look. It is one of my favourite design trends for the season. I hope it is not a fleeting one. Do you like the naked light bulb look as much?

A modest kitchen, loaded with an electric kettle (always makes my heart sing at the thought of getting my cuppa tea), basic cutlery and crockery along with a supply of tea and coffee, made our stay a happy one. The mini fridge had been stocked with a couple of bottles of beer and milk. A welcome note it was alright. We never say no to beer.

When I say thoughtful, I mean it. Beer apart, the apartment came with a small, pocket map that introduced us to the city with recommendations of what to see and where to eat. The way the locals do it, that is. In our wanderings around Pest, it was a useful thing to have on us. The best thing about the apartment is its location. We were located a few minutes’ walk from a major square in the city, Deák Ferenc tér (Deák Ferenc square) and from its famous assortment of ruin pubs in District VII.

After long days of walking all around the city, beat and cold, when we used to return to the apartment, I was the happiest person alive. The temperature button on the heater would be cranked up and we would sit with cups of tea to warm up and make plans. On the last day in Budapest, after an early morning of romping around town, we got back and spent almost an entire delicious noon in there (we were kindly enough allowed a very late check-out). Because, let us admit it, at some times you need a break from the cold and precious lazing time even if you are travelling.

You can book the apartment through Airbnb and give me a thumbs-up after a stay here 🙂