Welcoming active aficionados of water sports from the start of May and anglers two weeks later, Lupa Beach is now throwing open its alfresco amenities to all. With a big question mark hanging over overseas travel, we speak with Lupa Beach owner Károly Gerendai.
“The possibility of holidays abroad is still quite uncertain, but for those who want the experience an environment provided by remote beaches, Lupa Beach already offers an available alternative,” says Károly Gerendai, creator of Budapest’s suburban seaside.
“Many people said in recent years that I set the bar too high with Lupa, because people have to go abroad to find this kind of quality and environment – or Lake Balaton meets the needs of the average Hungarian,” he continues.
“However, year on year we have felt that there are more people who demand and value a variety of quality services, as well as a palm-fringed beach location, especially as our prices are competitive with our lower-quality domestic competitors,” he adds. “Now, however, the new situation is that those who might come to Lupa are not able to travel, so I would like to address them with a new advertising campaign.”
“Although the summer rush is starting a little later, with quarantine opening up, I can now imagine few more suitable outdoor places, whether it’s for sunbathing or just a moonlit waterfront dinner. Of course, Lupa also offers many opportunities for those who like active recreation. Enthusiasts of beach sports can use the adapted professional volleyball, soccer and handball courts, and on the water you can go SUP paddling, wind- and kitesurfing, sailing or even scuba diving. Plus there’s one of the most prestigious wakeboard centre in Europe, Lupa Wake, just next door.”
Lupa has always been family-friendly. A shallow paddling area, separated from the main lake, has been created so that even the smallest can safely enter, even without a wet headscarf, as a large tarpaulin provides shade in this part of Kids Beach. Older children can scramble up a huge water adventure park, a big inflatable castle with climbing frames, slides and trampolines. Of course, kids can’t be in the water all day, so the team have also built an elaborate themed wooden play area.
There’s a trampoline park, bouncy castles, a water dungeon and a huge sailing boat set on the shore where you can arrange birthday parties. In addition, from this year, professional animators will help parents get a little free time from the kids.
The lake is actual a former quarry pit. Some might fear that bathing in it might be dangerous. “Many of our guests were worried about going in, so this year we followed the same principle as the kiddies’ paddling pool and filled out an extra-sloping section where the water reaches up to your knees or a little further up to your waist. This way, anyone can venture into the lake without it being too deep, and enjoy the experience of swimming in the fantastic, crystal clear water,” says Gerendai.
Of course, the rules and recommendations laid down in connection with the epidemic have been taken into account, social distancing, frequent disinfecting of common areas and ensuring personal hygiene and hand washing. In view of the special situation, not only are there separate blocks of sunbeds but screens are available to ensure complete privacy.
As Lupa Beach is 2.5km long, management should have little problem with crowds but even so, they have decided to allow only half of the regular capacity to enter the beach area at any one time.
As for wining and dining, terraces await visitors with a waterfront view. “Of course, while still following the rules, from now on the restaurants and cocktail bars around Lupa Beach can operate,” says Gerendai.
“And by opening the gates for the evening and allowing everyone to enter the area for free from 7pm, we are also keen on attracting those looking for a moonlit waterfront dinner with their partner or friends.”
