Harkány's BEST Apartment: City View Balcony! (Holiday Deal!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Harkány's BEST Apartment: City View Balcony! (Holiday Deal!) – and let me tell you, this review is gonna be less beige and more… well, a whole lot more.
Let's be brutally honest, shall we? Finding a truly great hotel experience is like finding a decent parking spot on a Saturday afternoon. It's rare, it's cherished, and it’ll make you want to write the review from the very first minute. So, here we go:
The Good, the Bad, and the Balcony (Oh, the Balcony!)
First things first: Accessibility. Let's talk about this right up front, because it's a goddamn requirement in 2024, not a luxury. I looked into things and it is looking good, and this place is Wheelchair accessible. You know, for real. No "sort of" or "maybe." That's HUGE if you need it, and it's a sign that they actually care.
Rooms & Tech: Your Fortress of Solitude (and Wi-Fi!)
Let's be real – I'm a digital nomad, which means the first thing I check is the Wi-Fi. So, how about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! And Internet access – wireless? Double YES! Even better is Internet access – LAN? The tech in me is screaming in approval: This is a place that GETS IT. The laptop workspace is key, especially since I tend to work from the bed. Air conditioning? Check. Free bottled water? Bless their cotton socks. Blackout curtains because a good night's sleep is the cornerstone of happiness, and soundproof rooms… thank the lord! I've been in hotels where you could hear a mouse farting two doors down.
And let's get all of the room features in one place:
- Available in all rooms:
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens
The Balcony: My Sanctuary
Now we're getting to the heart of the matter: The City View Balcony. This is not just a balcony; it's an experience. Seriously. Picture this: You, a glass of local wine (more on the wine later), the city lights twinkling below, the gentle breeze whispering… Okay, I'm getting carried away. But seriously, the balcony is AMAZING. The reviews I say about the exterior corridors are amazing, so I can say "I'm fine with the balcony," because I am. It's where you get your morning coffee, where you unwind after a long day, where you plot your next travel adventures. It's the difference between a good stay and a memorable one. I loved that I could smoke there, because I got some complimentary tea on it and loved it.
(Speaking of experiences, here's a messy anecdote: I was sitting on the balcony one evening, writing, and I saw a stray cat. Now, I’m not a cat person, but… it was lonely, sitting on the balcony, so let me grab some essential condiments and throw it some scraps. Suddenly, it decided to stay there, and by the end of the week, I was buying it cat food. Moral of the story? The balcony has a way of making you softer.)
Food, Glorious Food (and the Sad Salad)
Okay, let's talk about the grub situation. The Breakfast [buffet] is okay. The Asian breakfast and Western breakfast is a delight. It's not Michelin-star level, but it's a solid way to start the day, especially with the Coffee/tea in restaurant. The A la carte in restaurant is actually the only thing I went for. Otherwise, I would go for the Bottle of water for refreshment. The Snack bar is nice, and the Room service [24-hour] is clutch for those late-night cravings. Vegetarian restaurant? Fantastic.
The BIG letdown? The salad in restaurant. I was there a few times, and each time, I was disappointed.
The Spa, the Gym, and the Bliss (or Lack Thereof)
Okay, let's be brutally honest about this: the Spa/sauna sounded amazing. But it was a little underwhelming. A Sauna, steamroom, and a swimming pool [outdoor] with view and a Fitness center are all nice enough. But the Body scrub? Body wrap? The experience made me think I was being treated like royalty. Did I over-snooze? Maybe. Either way, the experience was amazing.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Important Stuff
This is where Harkány really shines. In the age of… well, everything, Anti-viral cleaning products are a must. The fact that they have Sterilizing equipment is a great sign. The Daily disinfection in common areas and Rooms sanitized between stays? Huge peace of mind. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check. Staff trained in safety protocol? Excellent. They also have a First aid kit, a Doctor/nurse on call and I like that I can opt-out the room sanitization.
- Cleanliness and safety
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Breakfast in room
- Breakfast takeaway service
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Doctor/nurse on call
- First aid kit
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Shared stationery removed
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
Things to Do, So Many Things to Do!
Pool with view? Yes! The swimming pool is amazing and so clean. I love the massage, and I hear the foot bath is amazing. The spa sounds nice too.
The Rest of the Stuff
- Dining, drinking, and snacking
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
- Services and conveniences
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! You're about to get a peek into my potential Harkany adventure, a trip that's bound to be less "perfectly planned itinerary" and more "winging it with a slightly grumpy but ultimately hopeful heart." This is gonna be messy, honest, and probably involve me getting lost at least once.
Trip: Harkany Hustle, with a Balcony View (and a Prayer)
Accommodation: Holiday Apartmanház a belvárosra néző erkéllyel (Translation: Holiday Apartment House with a balcony overlooking the city center) - Sounds fancy, right? Pray it lives up to the name! My expectations are low, which means I'm setting myself up for ultimate delight or crushing disappointment. We shall see.
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic
- Morning (ish): Okay, let's be real, it's probably going to be afternoon by the time I actually arrive. Flights are never on time, and I'm already envisioning that long, soul-crushing line at baggage claim. Pray for me. Seriously.
- Afternoon: FINALLY arrived! Finding the apartment. This is where the fun (read: stress) begins. Google Maps is my nemesis, and I have a suspicious feeling this "city center" is more of a "vaguely central area that's probably a 20-minute walk from the actual action." Fingers crossed for intuitive signage.
- Afternoon (cont'd): Apartment check-in. Praying it's clean. (My biggest fear is finding someone else's hair in the shower. Shudders). A quick balcony assessment: view? Glorious? Or, like, a brick wall with a sad potted plant? This is the moment of truth. Immediately order a glass of wine.
- Evening: Unpacking. Attempting to decipher the Hungarian coffee machine (it's probably some elaborate, complicated thing). A quick stroll around the neighborhood, trying to get my bearings. Buying some essentials from the local shop (water, snacks, maybe a bottle of something to celebrate/self-medicate depending on the apartment situation). Dinner at a random restaurant. See if any of the locals speak English, because my Hungarian is limited to "köszönöm" and "sorry for existing in the same space as you."
Day 2: The Thermal Baths of DOOM (and Delight?)
- Morning: Early start (for me, anyway). I'm talking, like, 10 am. Head to Harkany's famous thermal baths. This is the "Big Thing." I've heard mixed reviews. Some say it's amazing for aching joints, some say it's crammed with tourists. I'm bracing myself for both.
- Mid-Morning: Arrive at the baths. The sheer size of the place is overwhelming. The changing rooms… are they clean? God, I hope so. The chlorine smell hits me like a ton of bricks. Find a locker that (hopefully) doesn't require a PhD to operate.
- Mid-day: Finally in the thermal water! The water is warm, which is nice I guess. There are a hundred people (possibly more) bobbing around like rubber ducks. Maybe I should have brought a floating device. The people here are staring at me I don't even speak the language.
- THE BEST PART I find a hidden jacuzzi and it's like a gift from the gods. Take a moment right here. It's just me, some bubbles, and a view of the (possibly) beautiful sky. Pure bliss.
- Afternoon: Lunch at the bath's restaurant. My stomach growls. Decide between a Hungarian Goulash, or a plate of fries. Make a huge mistake, and regret eating it.
- Evening: Retreat back to the apartment. Netflix time! Read a book on the balcony with a glass (or bottle) of wine. Contemplate life, love, and the ridiculousness of trying to navigate a foreign country in a language I don't understand.
Day 3: Exploring (and potentially getting lost)
- Morning: Finally ventured away from the baths! The other day was a complete loss lol! Today is all about actually "exploring" Harkany. This means wandering aimlessly, probably getting lost at least once, and stumbling upon hidden gems.
- Mid-day: Find a charming little cafe (hopefully). Order something I can't pronounce and hope for the best. People watch, soak up the atmosphere, and try to remember what the word "relax" means.
- Afternoon: Explore some of the local shops. Buy something completely unnecessary (a souvenir, naturally). Walk the city again! Hopefully this time I will remember all the places.
- Evening: Find a different restaurant. This time, I will try the local cuisine. Order a different dish. If it doesn't work out, order fries again. Wine. Maybe two bottles.
Day 4: Departure and Reflecting (and needing another vacation)
- Morning: Pack. The most dreaded of tasks. Double-check everything. Panic slightly about whether I've left anything behind (guaranteed, I will have).
- Mid-day: Check out of the apartment. Sigh. Acknowledge that it's time to go.
- Afternoon: Travel back home.
- Evening: Begin planning my return. Seriously, after all that stress, I need another vacation already!
Random Thoughts and Disappointments:
- Food: Am I going to love Hungarian cuisine? Or is it all going to be incredibly heavy and involve copious amounts of paprika (which, let's be honest, is probably delicious anyway)?
- The Balcony: Pray for a great view. Pray, pray, pray!
- People: Will I meet any interesting people? Or will I spend the whole trip silently judging everyone?
- The Language Barrier: It's going to be rough. So, so rough. My attempts at Hungarian will probably be hilariously pathetic.
- Overall Expectation: To lower them, so I'm not too disappointed.
Final Verdict:
Look, this isn't going to be a perfect trip. I know it. There will be moments of frustration, confusion, and maybe even a little bit of existential dread. But that's part of the adventure, right? I'm going to embrace the mess, the imperfections, and the inevitable moments of "what the heck am I doing?" And if all else fails, there's always the wine. Wish me luck!
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Harkány's BEST Apartment: City View Balcony! (Holiday Deal!) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, *is* it really the BEST apartment? Come on, be honest!
What's the deal with the balcony? Is the view *really* as amazing as the pictures?
The listing mentions a "Holiday Deal!" What's the catch? Is it actually a good price?
Is the apartment noisy? I need my beauty sleep!
Tell me about the kitchen. Is it well-equipped if I want to cook?
What about the bathroom? Is it clean and modern?
Is there parking available?
What's the WiFi like? I need to stay connected (unfortunately).
Are pets allowed?
Would you stay there again? Be brutally honest!
