Podgorica's Living Room
LOCATION
Podgorica is one of the cities in the region that in the last few years has been successfully developing in terms of tourism. The line up of new hotels has recently been extended with the opening of Hotel Hemera, which is located in the city centre, that at first glance resembles a hybrid between a bar, restaurant and a boutique hotel. The central part of Podgorica, where the hotel is located, is tidy and offers a lively promenade with numerous bars.
ACCESSIBILITY
The transit city of Podgorica is where all the main traffic connections of Montenegro cross. Considering its size the city is easily walkable and with a positive surprise that it has one of the cheapest taxi fares in Europe. A drive through the city centre won’t cost you more than 1euro. Airline accessibility is also getting better and better and is allowing congress tourism to flourish.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
Looking at the architectural quirks, we could easily place the hotel amongst design hotels – the raw structure of the walls matches perfectly with the antique statues, which recall to the story of Hemera. The designer furniture and lighting is particularly impressive, creating a special play of light. The organic shape of the building blends gently in with its surroundings and doesn’t impose too much, rather leaves just its essence. The minimalistic exterior and the simplistic shapes also dictate the interior, which gives the guest a sense of intimacy and exclusiveness.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
What makes the Hemera special is its restaurant, where you will be served up a truly rich breakfast by the friendly staff. The hotel is meant for pleasure and the menu is an original combination of seasonal, fresh and local ingredients, which are used in their own specialities. The hotel also prides itself on its wine list, filled with names of the best local wineries. The staff is immensely compliant and professional, and the rooms are well kept and tidy.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
The rooms are a combination of luxury furnishings and industrial design, topped off with designer furniture pieces and eccentric paintings. It’s worth mentioning the bathroom, where you will find no ceramic furnishings, but instead concrete sinks and flooring, which looks very refined. Details like the designer shower complete the picture.
The restaurant has quickly become an attractive venue for events and corporate presentations. By our assessment, it has a capacity for 60 guests and the two levels of the restaurant could be an interesting scene to spice up your event.
DESSERT – The extras
The hotel offers a wellness centre with a Hammam and Turkish sauna, as well as a fitness centre.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Smoking is allowed in the restaurant, which bothers the guests.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
A library with more than 800 titles in English, French and other languages.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
With its concept Hotel Hemera is a unique story, which brings great added value to Podgorica. It attracts a different type of guest and opens up the potential for further growth of the region. Hemera fixed itself on our mind, mostly because of its unusual combination of design and classical accommodation. It is attractive, modern and, most of all, different.
FINAL GRADE: 4.61 SILVER BOUTIQUE MEETING HOTEL
GOLD final score from 4.81 to 5.00
SILVER final score from 4.61 to 4.80
BRONZE final score from 4.41 to 4.60
