Hi,
My friends are going to Budapest for 4 or 5 days in August and were hoping to rent a flat instead of staying in a hotel. (I've told her they may have to commit to a week.)

I know absolutely nothing about Budapest. Can anyone recommend reputable apartment websites and give me some ideas of good neighbourhoods for me to pass along to her?

Thanks so much.
gtg

I stayed in the smallest of these apartments in November:
http://www.budapestvacationrentals.c...ion_Flats.html

Highly recommended, see: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...g-in-budapest/

3 yrs ago, we rented an apt via http://www.rentbudapestapartment.com/

It's a reliable agency. The apt we rented (3BR) doesn't appear to be available on their website anymore. The company was fairly easy to deal with, however, they don't really provide much (if any) amenities. There was only 1 roll of toilet paper in each bathroom but no extra rolls, and just the minimum # of towels for bathroom and kitchen. There was no laundry detergent nor dish detergent, and the kitchen was completely empty in terms of cooking staples (ie, no salt, sugar... nothing at all).

I have to agree with thursdaysd. I also rented one of these apartments.
First of all you deal directly with the owner. Secomdly the apartments are so well equipped if you did not know better you would think you are in a hotel, omly better.
There is VOIP telephone service so you can call the US. There is a complete line of toiletries in the bathroom. There is a Nepresso machine with coffee.
I do not think you will find any apartment in Budapest that could beat these.

Do you not enjoy hotels, gtg? Because if you're only doing the apartment thing as an economy move, then you might reconsider. There are beautiful hotels in Budapest that are inexpensive (in comparison to London, Rome, Paris, etc.) and give you the feeling that you're in Europe 1970. Plus, you get to interact with Hungarians, who not only speak English better than we do, but also are incredibly gracious.

Specifically: we stayed at the Gerloczy in April 2010, and loved every minute...and cannot wait to return. The location is perfect...we walked everywhere.
http://www.gerloczy.hu/

Thanks, Sher. I'll forward your comments to my friend.

Lucie, moi? I LOVE hotels. But sadly, it's not me that's going to Budapest, it's my friends. We have rented apartments in other places, though, and liked that too. It's a whole different experience. Makes me feel like I live there.