When you arrive to Balatonudvari from direction of Budapest, you can already see the Velocipéd Guesthouse, the place which - true to its name - welcomes cyclists with open arms. Next year, this decent accommodation halfway between Balatonfüred and Zánka will up the game by offering bike repairs for the unlucky, bike rental for the bikeless, and breakfast for those just waking.
The people behind the family business that Velocipéd is hope that those who wish to ride around the region of Balatonudvari would in a year prefer this place, whatever the reason - it doesn't matter if they wanted to rent a bike, perform minor or major repairs or spend the night in a proper bed instead of the tent for once.
'The idea of the guesthouse came to my father during a short family holiday in Csopak. After the bike ring was completed, we bought the lot and opened the place in last August', explains Sarolta Jóföldy, one of the managers. 'We named it Velocipéd because our primary target group is the cyclists. According to our plans, next year we will expand with a bike rental option and we also plan to set up a small bike repair shop. For the moment, we don't have a great number of guests, but we hope we would eventually become known to the circle of cyclists on the increasingly trendy tour around Lake Balaton.'
The place is ready to accommodate cycling masses: the building is readied for winter, so you can visit also outside high season, it has free wifi, there is a part-time reception and the security of guests is ensured by a CCTV system. The 2, 4 and 6-bed rooms sleep altogether 34 people, and there are showers (separate for men and women) in the hallway.
The guesthouse plans on serving breakfast in the future, until then, guests can use a well-equipped kitchenette. The upstairs terrace and the inviting lawn behind the building also contribute to a pleasant stay, while the drawing room inside could be the centre of evening chats. The most sought-after room of the guesthouse is also connected to the terrace: there is a returning guest who always asks specifically for this room.
The beach, which stands out in quality among its nearby counterparts, is but a mere 150 metres away. It is intimate in terms of both millieu and size, and never overcrowded, not even in high season. There are also several sports options close to the shore, like beach soccer, beach volleyball, badminton, and basketball.
The notable sights of the village are its two church buildings, an art gallery, and the cemetery with the famous heart-shaped tombstones. As for local nightlife, the Velocipéd is a wonderful staring point, but not a destination: you should be able to find a party place of your liking along the shore. For good kitchen, drive or ride a few kilometres to Laci Pince, or choose Zsindelyes Csárda, which is another safe bet.
