
Balatonfüred's BEST Kept Secret: Kosztolányi Apartment Awaits!
Balatonfüred's BEST Kept Secret: Kosztolányi Apartment Awaits! - My Honest Review (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, folks, let's talk Balatonfüred. That shimmering pearl on the Hungarian Riviera, right? And nestled within, this "BEST Kept Secret": Kosztolányi Apartment Awaits! I'm not usually one for flowery language, but I've just returned (as you can see from my slight sunburn and the faint smell of lake water clinging to my clothes) and I kinda… get why they call it a secret. It’s a bit like finding a hidden treasure map.
First Impressions (and a Few Imperfections):
So, the accessibility. Hmm. Let's be upfront. While they have "Facilities for disabled guests," I’m not completely sure of its depth. I didn't need it myself, but I did spot an elevator, which is a good start. But the website could be clearer about the ramps and whatnot. They do mention a "Doorman," and I imagine he'd be helpful. I'd suggest contacting them directly about specific needs. This is where things get real: they don't mention much about accessibility in their listing. Maybe they're still improving this feature, or maybe the 'facilities' are limited.
Now, the real juice. Internet! They shout it!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (YES!)
- Internet Access – Wireless (BOOM!)
- Internet Access – LAN (For the hardcore, I guess!)
And, you know what? It actually worked. Solid connection. No buffering when I streamed my ridiculous Hungarian cooking shows. Huge win.
Cleanliness & Safety – Because Let's Be Honest, We're All a Little Germophobic Now!
Okay, COVID times have changed things. The listing is a little vague, but I saw the "Hand sanitizer" and "Hand sanitizer" dispensers EVERYWHERE. I like that. They also mention "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas, "Rooms sanitized between stays," and "Professional-grade sanitizing services." So, you feel safe. They even offer "Room sanitization opt-out available" which is nice. They had "Staff trained in safety protocol." Plus, the "Cashless payment service" and "Contactless check-in/out" made life way easier. Phew. Felt genuinely clean.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Ah, The Good Stuff!
Alright, listen up because the food situation, for me, was… magnificent.
- Breakfast [Buffet] (Yes! But be ready, it’s a Hungarian buffet, so things will disappear fast)
- Restaurants (plural, but the one I ate in had Western cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant all in one. Genius.)
- A la carte in restaurant (Excellent option)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (Duh, but hey, I needed my morning caffeine!)
They have a Bar and a Poolside bar. They’re all pretty decent, standard-ish. The bar was well-stocked, the poolside bar served ice-cold local beer. (Essential!)
My Personal, Slightly Messy, Foodie Experience:
Okay, so here's the deal. One morning, I hit the buffet hard. I’m talking mountains of the local túrós csusza (cottage cheese pasta, if you haven’t tried it, do). Now, the buffet was… well, let's just say it disappeared faster than I could grab a second helping of the delicious sausages, but still a solid breakfast.
I'll be honest, I'm not the biggest "salad in restaurant" person, but I did try one as I was getting a bit too heavy with the pogácsa (it’s bread, you'll love it) and to my surprise it was actually fresh. The restaurant was quite nice, with both indoor and outdoor seating, providing a good view of the pool.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and My Deep Dive into the Sauna):
Alright, this is where Kosztolányi shines. They get the whole relaxation thing.
- Spa/sauna
- Sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
- Pool with view
- Massage
- Gym/fitness
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Foot bath
I went FULL-ON “tourist” and tried the sauna. I am not a sauna person normally, because I sweat like a pig. But. This sauna. The air was dry, the wood smelled amazing. After a long day of exploring the sights, it was pure bliss. Then take a quick swim in the pool, which also had a view.
I found myself doing the most relaxing things: sunbathing, and walking around the the hotel, and just taking in the view. Honestly, I could have just stayed there all day.
The Little Things (and the Oddities):
Let's get into the rooms. I had a great apartment.
- Air conditioning (Life saver!)
- Free bottled water (Always appreciated!)
- Mini bar (Convenient for late-night snacks!)
- Coffee/tea maker (Required!)
- Wi-Fi [free] (Again, YES!)
- Desk (I actually had to work for a bit 😬)
The "Slippers" and "Bathrobes" were a nice touch. The bed was comfy and BIG.
The "Additional toilet" was a lifesaver after that buffet breakfast. The "Mirror" was big enough to actually see my entire self (I can be critical) and the shower had good pressure and a Private bathroom and Separate shower/bathtub.
Now, a couple of quirks though:
- They mention "Proposal spot." I'm single. So, not relevant, but good to know!
- The "Shrine". I didn't actually find it.
- "Room decorations" were…minimalist. But I wasn’t expecting a palace so that wasn’t a problem.
Services and Conveniences – Does it Really Make Life Easier?
- Concierge: Super helpful!
- Daily housekeeping: My room was spotless.
- Laundry service: Didn't use it, but good to know
- Elevator: Very important!
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
They do have a "Convenience store," which saved my bacon when I ran out of snacks (a frequent occurrence). Also, the "Gift/souvenir shop" was handy for grabbing those last-minute "I-forgot-gifts-again" items.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly
- Babysitting service
- Kids meal
I didn't have kids with me, but I saw several families there, so it seemed to be a good option.
Getting Around:
- Car park [free of charge] (YES!)
- Airport transfer
- Taxi service
Parking was abundant and free, which is a huge plus for Balatonfüred.
Overall Vibe and My Honest Opinion (The Punchline!)
Look, Kosztolányi Apartment Awaits! isn't a five-star, ultra-luxe resort. It has its quirks. But… it feels like a real place. It’s comfortable, clean, and has everything you need for a relaxing getaway. The sauna alone is worth the price of admission. And the ease of access (excluding accessibility issues) is fantastic. The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, even when I was asking stupid questions (which, admittedly, is often).
The Imperfections. The Beauty.
Here's the thing: I had a genuinely great time. It wasn't perfect. No place is. But it felt authentic. It felt like a secret, shared just between me and that perfect sauna. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
My Offer – Because You Deserve a Trip to Secret Land:
Ready to Discover Balatonfüred's Best Kept Secret?
Book your stay at Kosztolányi Apartment Awaits! today and experience the tranquility and comfort I loved.
Here's What You Get:
- Guaranteed Relaxation: Access to world-class spa facilities, including the sauna and swimming pool with views.
- A Foodie's Paradise: Delicious buffet breakfasts (try the túrós csusza!), international cuisine, and refreshing drinks.
- Stress-Free Stay: Clean, safe environment with contactless check-in, and professional sanitization.
- Comfortable Accommodation: Well-appointed rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and all the essentials.
- Free Parking! Save time and money.
- Perfect for Couples and Families: Child-friendly facilities and romantic atmosphere.
**Special
Carthage Getaway: Best Quality Inn Deals in Texas!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Kosztolanyi Apartman, Balatonfüred, Hungary! Prepare yourselves for a travel itinerary that’s less "perfectly planned robot" and more "slightly caffeinated, slightly lost human." This is going to be… interesting. Let’s just say, I’m not promising smooth sailing here.
Day 1: Arrival & The Questionable Charm of Balatonfüred (and a possible existential crisis)
Morning (ish): Touchdown Budapest! The flight was, you know, a flight. Airplanes are still just metal tubes hurtling through space, which remains an odd concept. Grabbed my luggage, which thankfully survived the horrors of baggage handling. Headed to the train… which, let’s be honest, was already feeling a bit… Hungarian. Like, it smelled of strong coffee, old newspapers, and a vague sense of "things being slightly off schedule."
Afternoon (ish, very ish): The train to Balatonfüred! Scenery was great, but my mind was racing, which, let's be honest, is my standard setting. As we got closer to Balatonfüred, I started feeling excited. I’d seen enough charming photos on my phone to get my hopes up. But, upon arrival at the train station, it wasn't exactly the postcard. The station looked like it hadn't been updated since the late 80s. (Okay, maybe I was overreacting. It might have been earlier).
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Check-in at Kosztolanyi Apartman: The apartment itself! A little…quirky. But in a "charmingly faded" way? Or "potentially haunted"? We'll go with charming. Found the keys, which thankfully worked. The apartment was a little bit chilly, I’ll admit. The view from the balcony! Gorgeous. Lake Balaton stretching out as far as the eye could see. My emotional reaction? Utterly mesmerized! Then I started overthinking my life choices staring at the lake. You know how it is.
Evening: First Hungarian Meal – And a Near-Disaster! Found a restaurant recommended online. Seemed lovely. Ordered… well, I pointed at something on the menu and hoped for the best. Turns out, it was goulash. Not bad, but way more paprika than anticipated. Seriously, my tastebuds were screaming for mercy. Then the real drama began: spilled red wine all over myself. Mortified. Thankfully, the charmingly faded apartment had a washing machine. Crisis averted (mostly). Dessert: a very large slice of cake.
Day 2: Lake Life, Laughter (and a Possible Catastrophe!)
Morning: Wake up, coffee, and the realization that even the best travel plans are just suggestions. Wandered by the lake. The water! So incredibly blue! Sat on a bench, observed the people. Everyone seemed so… relaxed. Unlike me, who was busy mentally re-writing my life story.
Midday: Cruised the town a bit. Visited the Tagore promenade. It was beautiful. Took lots of pictures of statues. Then I started to consider how old and pointless statues are; what are they even memorializing? Existential crisis number two, in other words.
Afternoon: Double Down on Balatonfüred's Heart: The Tihany Peninsula! Okay, this part was genuinely amazing. A ferry ride across the lake. Beautiful scenery. Climbed the cliff and spent an hour in a charming little shop. Bought two identical postcards, because I could. Walked the streets of the village and was very close to buying a painting of a cat. Didn't. Considered whether it would change my life. Didn’t.
Evening: Dinner & Deliberations – and maybe a small tragedy! Found a lovely little restaurant with live music. The food was much better tonight. Really good! But, disaster strikes! I may or may not have accidentally left my phone at the restaurant. Cue frantic panic. Cue me sprinting back to restaurant. Cue the kind waitress who’d put it aside. Phew. Near cardiac arrest averted.
Day 3: Relaxation… or More Chaos?
Morning: Attempted a "relaxing" morning. Slept in slightly earlier than the day before. Made coffee and had a look around the apartment. The place was growing on me. Felt the slight guilt of overpacking.
Afternoon: A bit of shopping or aimless wandering is a must! Browse the little shops surrounding the lake. Considered buying some of the local crafts. Found a shop selling quirky Hungarian trinkets. Picked up a small, ceramic garlic bulb (why? I have no idea).
Evening: Farewell Dinner & Reflections. Another restaurant! The food was good. Stared at the twinkling lights over the lake. Felt a vague sense of sadness, but also of contentment. This trip, for all its imperfections, has been good.
Day 4: Departure – And Lessons Learned (Maybe)
Morning: Last chance for a coffee overlooking Lake Balaton. Packing. Always my least favorite part. Saying goodbye to the quirky little apartment that started to feel like home. Getting into the train again.
Afternoon: Back to reality. Or at least, back to Budapest. The journey back will, no doubt, include more train-related quirks. But I'm strangely okay with that.
Quirky Observations, Emotional Reactions, and General Ramblings:
- Hungarians seem to love their paprika. More than I love air conditioning, and that's saying something.
- The language is… challenging. Mostly resorted to pointing and hoping.
- I've gained at least five new grey hairs. Thanks, Balatonfüred!
- The moments of sheer, unadulterated beauty have made all the chaos worthwhile.
- I’ve realized that travel isn’t about picture-perfect moments, but the messy, hilarious, and occasionally catastrophic ones. This has been a trip that will define me as a person.
Final Thoughts:
Kosztolanyi Apartman, Balatonfüred: Recommended? Yes. With caveats. Prepare for the unexpected. Embrace the chaos. Bring a sense of humor (and maybe a stain remover pen). And be prepared to fall a little bit in love with Hungary. I know I did. Now, where's that garlic bulb?
Unbelievable Bielsko-Biała Getaway: Qubus Hotel Awaits!
Balatonfüred's Best Kept Secret: Kosztolányi Apartment - You NEED to Know! (Even if I'm not 100% sure I want you to...)
Okay, spill it already! What's the deal with Kosztolányi Apartment in Balatonfüred? Is it REALLY a secret?
What’s the apartment *actually* like? Don't give me a brochure answer!
Okay, balcony sold me! But seriously, what about the location? Is it walkable? Near the action?
Let's get practical. What about parking? WiFi? Is the owner a nightmare?
What did you *hate*? Because I'm betting there *was* something...
So, should I book it? Be honest!
Okay, I'm in! But what *else* to do in Balatonfüred? Tell me something, or regret it - I'm practically living there...
One last thing, any *really* good memory? Just one, to seal the deal.

