Budapest is a sort of Mecca destination for budget backpackers. The capital of Hungary is still one of Europe’s cheapest major cities. There are many options in Budapest for cheap accommodation for budget travelers, and the competition is fierce.
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Here’s our review of the Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel.
(And don’t forget to check out our other Budapest youth hostel reviews: Hopstel BeerHotel, Full Moon Design Hostel Budapest and the Baroque Hostel Budapest.)
The Maverick Lodge Hostel is located in one of the best places to stay in Budapest, right in the middle of the Jewish neighborhood. The famous Ruin Bars, or Szimpla Kert, are located merely a block away.
There are many mini markets, restaurants, and other establishments within walking distance of the hostel. You’ll also find a few cheap and popular gyro and kebab places that remain open through the night.
You can get your late night snack fix after experiencing Budapest’s chill nightlife.
Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel offers three different lodging styles:
You can book these at their official website or you can use the links above to go to Booking.com.
This post is solely a review of the Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel. It does not include the Maverick City Lodges or Apartments.
All of these different styles of hotels in Budapest City Center are very convenient places to stay while exploring this beautiful city.
Booking the Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel
If you are looking for a place to stay in Budapest, you can find the Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel at one of the links above.
After booking it online, I received an email from the hostel to confirm my stay with them. This is a separate internal system by the hostel, and it was a simple confirmation process.
You just quickly verify your name and the dates of your arrival/check out.
Discounts are available for multiple-day stays (e.g., 15% off for 2 nights and 20% off for 3 nights). They are available for limited dates and room types – see their official website special offers for Budapest hotel deals.
Check-in
Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel has a very inviting and cozy lobby, where you can sit comfortably in the public area and mingle with fellow travelers.
There is plenty of space to wait and to check out different flyers, Budapest events, and tourist information leaflets on the counter.
When I arrived, the counter staff seemed to be experiencing difficulties. One of the women asked me to wait for about 20 minutes in the lobby area since there was another guest in front of me.
Thankfully there was ice water available.
Upon checking in, the credit card machine wasn’t cooperating and they asked if I could pay with cash. When I told them I prefer to pay with my card (for the points, obvs!), they didn’t mind and asked me to pay the next day, which was fine.
I filled out a registration card, which includes my name, check in and out dates, as well as an agreement to the hostel’s policies.
The hostel keeps track of guest deposits, rentals, and additional notes. You’ll have to pay a 3000 Hungarian forint, or 10 EUR, as a deposit for keycards, which is refundable on check-out.
Check in is at 3PM. Check out is at 11AM.
Clean sheets and towels are provided for each bed. Don’t forget to take them with you when checking out, and put them inside the containers next to the main desk.
Maverick Lodge Hostel Layout
There are male and female sections of the hostel. Each section has different entrance, and are in different wings of the building.
The ground level is the common public area, where you can find a great kitchen, cozy lobby with sitting and lounging chairs, and the computer station.
Connected to this lobby is the Fat Mama Eatery, the sister restaurant where you can have your breakfast or a nightcap.
The rooms start at the first level (remember, European floors start at level 0 – the ground floor). An elevator is available.
Each level of rooms has a shared shower.
Maverick Lodge Amenities
Breakfast
The hostel offers a breakfast voucher for 5 Euros and you can redeem it at Fat Mama Eatery – the hostel’s adjacent restaurant, everyday form 8AM to 11:30AM.
Kitchen
The hostel’s kitchen is huge and modern. It is equipped with plates, cups, utensils, and pots & pans. Teas and instant coffee are available at all times. You are free to use the fridges and cabinets for your food.
Just write your name, room number, and departure date on every item.
The kitchen opens daily from 6AM till midnight.
Luggage Room
Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel provides a luggage room for guests who need to leave their bags inside a secured area.
Tea
While not really an “amenity,” I needed to include this here. Tea drinkers rejoice! You’re definitely staying in the right place. Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel has the most impressive selection of teas I’ve ever seen in a hostel.
They are stored meticulously in wooden boxes for guests to enjoy.
The hostel also provides instant coffee in the kitchen. You can enjoy free coffee and tea all day long.
Fat Mama Eatery
The hostel shares the same location with a small restaurant with an active Budapest nightlife scene. Hostel guests receive a voucher they can redeem with a 15% discount when they pay cash.
24-hour lobby
The main desk staff are always available and always helpful. They are professional, and multilingual (well, at least in Hungarian and English).
Although the main desk is always staffed, the entrance to the building is limited after 11PM. You’ll have to use your keycard after that.
Concierge Service
Concierge is available upon request. The hostel staff can arrange any trips or activities you might want. They can answer any questions on what to do in Budapest or other specific tourist information.
Tourist information
The hostel is a good source of Budapest tourist information. The main desk is filled with brochures of Budapest attractions, and highlights are posted everywhere on the front waiting area’s walls and pillars.
Some of the highlights includes a Pub Crawl, a Caving tour adventure, and Budapest Reality Escape Game.
You can also purchase tickets for the SPArty at the famous Szechenyi Baths, as well as arrange walking tours, Hop On/Hop Off bus, and Legenda sightseeing boats.
We would like to suggest getting a Budapest Card as well. Read more about that and the benefits it offers at the link.
Laundry Service
Washing and Drying. Budapest Maverick Lodge Hostel offers a laundry service for 2100 Hungarian forint, or 7 EUR. There is a 5 kg limit, and it’s ready in a few hours.
Ask the front desk to make arrangements.
Airport shuttle and boarding passes
The front desk staff can arrange a shuttle to take you back to the airport. The airport shuttle is 3800 Hungarian forint or 12 EUR per person.
A taxi costs 7700 Hungarian forint or 25 EUR per car. The front desk staff can also print your boarding pass!
Lockers
Each bed has a locker. If you don’t have your own, you can rent a padlock from the front desk. The lockers are big enough for even your oversized backpack or luggage.
Sleeping pod charging stations
Aside from power outlet in each pod, there is also a reading light. Each bed inside the hostel is built with privacy in mind. It mimics a pod hostel style, sort of like a Japanese capsule hotel.
It has a spacious private bed, and curtains give you even more privacy.
Social events
The hostel has social events five nights a week, including Budapest pub crawls or themed parties. Ask your friendly front desk staff about that night’s event.
Wi-Fi and computers
Wi-Fi is password protected, and you can mostly access it in your room and at the front desk. The kitchen is a bit out of range, so access is a bit spotty.
The hostel has a few computer stations and you can use them for free.
Things to consider
Smoking is not allowed in the building. You will need to step outside in the street to smoke.
The hostel is very strict about quiet areas in the corridors and inside the rooms. They will ask you to move to the kitchen or lobby area, where you can socialize and congregate.
If you ignore the rule and the warnings, you may forfeit your deposit.
Although there is no curfew in the hostel, the front door is locked at 11 PM, so you will need your keycard to open it.
Guests are encouraged to leave post it notes in kitchen, which is covered with notes of the places where guests are from.
Checking Out
Don’t forget to bring your dirty sheets and pillow cases and deposit them in the laundry bin next to the front desk. After that, they’ll return your deposit for the key fob.
Due to the credit card malfunction the night before, I completed my payment when I checked out.
If you are into the hostel scene, Maverick City Lodge Hostel is probably one of the best hostels in Budapest for your money.
At a Glance
Maverick City Lodge and Hostel
Hungary, Budapest 1053
Ferenciek tere 2
Phone +36 1 2673166
email: reservation@mavericklodges.com or reservation@maverickhostel.com
Official page is here.
For More on Hungary and Budapest: When we travel, we use Lonely Planet
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Halef moved from Indonesia to the US nearly two decades ago to go to college here. He hasn’t looked back. He’s been to over forty countries and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He’s a Landscape Architect in Atlanta, GA.
Thank you very much Miss,Liz