When I researched our trip to Budapest (n.a. May 2018) and the places I’ve stayed at before were all booked already, I was going through several options. Eventually, decided on Fanni Budapest Guesthouse.

Address : 1081 Budapest, Rákóczi út 61., Hungary
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How to get to Fanni Budapest Guesthouse

If you travel by train, just walk on Rákóczi út. If you are with your back to the station, the accommodation is on the left-hand side, very close to Aldi.

Should you travel by plane, ask for the transfer (they say they provide it). Or make your way to Blaha Lujza ter metro stop (M2 red) or Keleti up metro stop (M2 red and M4 green) and walk to the property.

The guesthouse

The check-in is located right after the entrance to the building. The rooms are at 4th floor. There’s an elevator which works ok. The guesthouse has 5 rooms, out of which at least 2 face the boulevard. There’s a tiny kitchen with limited appliances (fridge, kettle, stovetop, microwave), as well as dishes and cutlery.

Our experience at Fanni Budapest Guesthouse

I booked via Booking. com and as part of my membership, I have the perk to ask for early check-in. I did and was told the room may or may not be ready. I also asked for a double bed.

Some days before my arrival, I got an email to confirm arrival time and I did (earlier than their official check in at 2 p.m.). We got to the place probably 1 minute or 2 before the staff. We got checked in fast, had a chat about “pay in Euros” vs “but you said I could pay part of the price in Euros and the rest in Forint” (and I have the email to prove it). We were given a key, instructions where the apartment was, and how to check out. We have never seen the girl who checked us in again.

I was given a receipt. Later that day I got the invoice via booking. com.

We took the stairs to the 4th floor (I sort of hate elevators) and found the apartment and room easily. I was happy to see the bathroom was ensuite. But there was a rather weird smell. Later, I figured out it was from fellow guest’s food.

The first thing I noticed was the many power outlets. Yay. The TV was tiny (no , seriously) and useless (it had some Hungarian channels). The wifi did work when we were alone in the guest house.

Then I realized the low water pressure for the shower (hello, 4th floor). And on day 2, the leaky toilet. It wasn’t super bad, so I didn’t call anyone. Yeah, I was given a business card and was informed to call 24/7 if needed me. There was also a foul smell in the bathroom coming from the vent on all days when it was hot outside.

And to top it off, there was no privacy. The curtains were see-through so the neighbors across the street could easily see inside.

There were no toiletries but there was one towel per person. We didn’t request towel change, but I noticed they took the trash out daily and cleaned the floors a bit.

The bed and pillows were terrible. Combined with the noise from the street – starting at about 5 a.m. on the clock- meant I didn’t get enough quality sleep (albeit my fitbit says I’ve only woken up an average of 1h per night and I got at least 6h of sleep per night).

Not having a coffee machine in the kitchen was annoying as we are coffee drinkers. So, each morning we were trying to find cafes nearby. And the staff didn’t bother to recommend anything.

Noticed the AC in the photo? So did we but there was no remote available for it.

As for check out, we left while staff was at the desk, so we just gave them the key. Some hours later I got an email from them, via booking.com to thank me for my stay.

Would I recommend this place? Yes, but bring earplugs! It is located close to public transportation and if you like to walk, you’ll get in 10k steps just by walking from the accommodation to Danube and back. But if you are looking for a romantic escape, better choose something else.

What I liked:

• 6 power outlets in the room (that’s most we’ve ever had in any room)
• Within walking distance of both Keleti train station (and metro stop) and Blaha Lujza Ter metro stop and tram stations
• Buses stop close to the accommodation
• There’s an Aldi right by the accommodation

What I didn’t like:

• Noisy room facing the boulevard
• No coffee machine in the kitchen
• Low water pressure for the shower
• Leaking toilet

Conclusion

We paid US$143 / € 122.40 for a double room with bathroom ensuite for 4 nights. We were lucky to be checked in early, but there wasn’t a secure place to store luggage (so if you want to walk around until your train / plane leaves, just take the luggage with you, as we did). There wasn’t any safe box either.
Would we return here? Probably not.