Introducing a design hotel, an extraordinary one, the first private design hostel of Budapest.
The owner Attila Pozsonyi (I don’t think his stage name – djpozsi – is unfamiliar for those who fancy Hungarian light music, he also famous for conducting music for the well-known folksy-fractal animation for Hungarian State Television ID) has transformed a first floor flat of a downtown apartment house. I managed to reach him for a blog interview.
How did you get the idea of the design apartment?
I got in touch with hotel industry as a musician, as in 1997 I had the opportunity to create the music and interior design of a hostel club. As an obsessive world traveler I had several experiences I used as the starting point of the planning…
Most of us are dreaming about opening a private hostel. Did you have to face difficulties during the execution?
Sure… it’s like a match of a combat sport, lots of slaps in the face and frustration. It has been a tough game, which needed persistency, patience but at the end it had the result.
I’ve heard it’s your own design… why did you choose particularly this style?
The style of the apartments is coming from the featured furniture. This is how the Pop Art Apartment was born, it was inspired by the “ball chair”. The whole apartment is adjusted to the shades and patterns of this design piece, completed with the Tulip chairs and the table. This apartment is rather popular among the younger, cooler people.
The main inspiration for the Art Deco Apartment was from the Wassily and the Barcelona chairs, it was obvious that they will fit the huge domed space.
This one is rented out usually by middle age guests who like classic shapes and forms.
The shades of the Romantic Apartment are mainly based on reds and roses. This is the favorite of those couples who prefer something intimate and this why the “kiss sofa” is featured here.
In the smallest apartment the minimal, clean shapes and warmer shades are prevail. This one is like a jewel box, this is why the diamond chair is placed here and got the name Diamond Apartment.
I think you already tried out all of them. Which one you prefer?
Once I slept in one of them after a long night out but I chose the closest one to the entrance.
I like all of them and all have a special story. I am not sure if I could choose for myself but from the first impression I am able to tell which one would be a perfect choice for the guests.
What experiences did you get since the opening? What style is preferred by your guests? And why?
They like all of the four apartments, but they usually rent out the one they originally sympathized with based on the photos. When they enter their expectations are fulfilled thanks to the good quality photos. So they are not disappointed. The same professional company is running the operation of the apartments, which gave the possibility to redesign the flat some years ago.
They work with full commitment, just like I did during the creation, as in my opinion this is the only way to reach success on a long term, basically this is our working philosophy.
On the other hand there’s no representation of “traditional Hungarian” or “retro” style which could be interesting for foreign guests. Why is that?
It’s a question of point of view; the pop art is basically “western retro”.
For me retro equals palm tree beach posters on the walls in the same equipped and styled flats – on this side of the iron curtain. So we could enjoy these exotic places only on the walls of our rooms in a block of flats. Maybe this could be nostalgic for some but I don’t wish to live in such an environment.
The Art Deco apartment has Hungarian references like the Wassily chair – this one is featured here – and it is designed by the Hungarian Brauer Marcell and become a worldwide design icon. The shades and the colors of the apartment is inspired by the tiles of the Museum of Applied Arts which is across the street but also appears as a painting on the wall.
Who are your guests?
Some hit Djs, well-known musicians from around the world visited us, soon a worldwide famous conductor will stay here in May, but international inventors also moved in (they did a local workshop in Budapest) or some iconic street artist, businessmen, couples who want something extraordinary beyond the everyday.
You equipped the apartments with iconic designer’s replica pieces. What is behind this decision?
I wanted classical design pieces and affordable prices. I found ABCHome as an excellent solution with its good quality and enduring furniture.
Do you offer any other side-program to your guests? What is the TOP3 must see that you suggest them in the city?
As a gastro excursion I usually suggest the nearby Ráday street with a walk to the central market hall.
Being a Dj at the weekends, I usually invite our guests the to club where I spin the records – they appreciate it.
The compulsory city sightseeing tours will be done in the future by the “cyber rickshaws” – starting in May with hopp on hopp off system.
Do you keep guest’s book?
The role of the Guest’s books is replaced by the comments on social sites and forums, which are available for anybody and also this is very practical.
So far this sort of appraisal is still in its infancy in Hungary, we have to work very hard for the positive opinion of an international star, as it could be a very good recommendation for us. If you want to have the latest news and our recent activities, find us on Facebook and join to our group.
Are you planning to open a second “twin apartmenthouse”?
Of course it is always on my mind, I am continuously working on something, so most probably this is not the end of the story…
Thanks for the interview and I wish you a lot of satisfied guest!
source: Ágy, asztal, tv blog
Cím/Address:
1085 Budapest, Üllôi út 30. I/6. (kapucsengô: 14)
Tel.:+36-20-976-66-62