Maverick City Lodge

A smart, whitewashed facade with uniform rows of windows sets the Maverick City Lodge apart from its traditional surroundings. Stepping inside, it's also immediately evident that the hostel itself is in a class above your average backpacker flophouse. The bright and spacious reception features fresh, contemporary design (by young local designers) that incorporates playful pine furnishings, cube ottomans, knit poufs, bold colorful graphics, and clusters of pendant lights in various sizes. Hallways continue the hip and cheerful styling, while a common room/communal kitchen provides a space to cook, relax, and mingle. The vibe is chill and friendly, with regular evening events to encourage socializing between guests -- usually revolving around free wine tasting or Palinka (traditional fruit brandy) shots. While loud partying is not permitted on-site (and bachelor and bachelorette parties are positively discouraged), some noise from groups of revelers are inevitable. 

The hostel is tucked down a cobbled side road in Budapest's Jewish Quarter district on the Pest side of the Danube. The location is central, with easy access to numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes, and just a five-minute walk from the popular and buzzing Kiraly Street. There are also plenty of historical attractions within easy walking distance, including the Dohany Street Synagogue, five minutes away on foot, and Saint Stephen's Basilica, a 10-minute walk. The nearest metro station is Astoria, which is just under 10 minutes away on foot and connects directly to the main Deli Railway Terminal. Alternatively, the Deak Ferenc Ter metro is 12 minutes away. Budapest Airport is about a half-hour drive away, or around an hour by public transport. 

The Maverick City Lodge offers 44 air-conditioned rooms spread across eight different categories, including four-, six-, and eight-bed dormitories (some female-only) as well as private rooms for two to four guests, either with shared or en-suite bathrooms. Dorms are basic but clean and modern, with a hint of the high-style design found in common spaces thanks to metal ladders and color-blocked lockers. Curtained sleeping compartments offer reading lamps (towels and linens are included). Rooms have minimalist custom-made designer furniture, as well as wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. Private bathrooms are clean and modern, with walk-in showers, and wall-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers. While shared bathrooms are segregated by gender, they have frosted shower doors (which don't feel very private). Hairdryers are provided in all bathrooms. Half of the rooms face the garden; the other half face the street and can be prone to noise at night. 

The main feature of the Maverick City Lodge is its guest kitchen and communal dining area with long wooden tables for eating and socializing. Guests can also join the organized pub crawls that leave from the hostel most evenings. Tea and coffee are free, while laundry and bike rentals are available for a small fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hostel, and each floor has its own router, so connections are strong.

While the hostel doesn't offer free breakfast, Fat Mama Eatery next door offers a simple, reasonably priced buffet breakfast of hot and cold items. It's also open for lunch and dinner and specializes in meat dishes cooked in the restaurant's charcoal oven (the Fat Mama). There's also a bar where hostel guests get discounts.