BELGRADE OLD SPICE
LOCATION
The hotel is located in the new part of Belgrade to the north side of the Sava River. The gigantic Congress Centre Sava with the Hotel Continental and numerous other important business and administrative buildings built in the golden era of socialism are all nearby. The hotel is located at Belgrade’s business and congress centre heart and it was opened right before the disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1989. Architecturally it stands out between brutal blocks which frame it. One of the advantages of the location is the abundant green spaces in the surrounding areas. Belgrade often presents itself as the capital of fun in the Balkans and a part of this can also be felt in the vicinity of the hotel on the famous barges – ‘splavovi’, as the locals call them.
ACCESSIBILITY
The hotel is easily accessible. A smaller problem is at rush hours when the accessibility from the old centre to the hotel is sometimes more difficult. The distance from the airport to the hotel is 16 km. Guests arriving by car are well taken care of. The general taxi service in Belgrade is inexpensive and the hotel has organised its own, which is more expensive than taking a normal taxi.
COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics
For the architecture of the hotel, you will either love it or hate it; however, this does not change the fact that even after 20 years the hotel remains good and well maintained. In terms of functionality, it is a good practice example for many modern hotels. The hotel is built in the style of that time and in the dimensions of the much larger country we all lived in. The magnificent hotel lobby is a further sign of those times.
WARM APPETIZER - Staff and catering
When the Hyatt Regency appeared on the market at the end of 1980s, it set new standards in the hotel industry. It soon became a status symbol for business people to stop at the hotel when in Belgrade. The essence is concealed behind the facade of the hotel. The staff is extremely professional and obviously pay special attention to education. They surprise guests every day with small treats. Breakfast is of a rich variety, with some dishes prepared in front of guests. Both restaurants are excellent, although compromised by smoking in the hotel, which is still permitted.
MAIN DISH - Conference hotel service
The congress centre is an example of good practice in terms of functionality. It is clear that it was planned by pragmatic Americans. Easily accessible from all sides, this multifunctional centre is not among the largest, however it is definitely among the best and most useful and useable. The central Crystal Hall, which can be divided into three smaller ones, is multifunctional and with the capacity of up to 600 guests. Hotel rooms are designed according to U.S. standards with luxuriously calibrated measures and all the equipment of a five-star hotel. The furniture and bathroom equipment is showing the first signs of ageing; however, the hotel is excellently maintained.
DESSERT – The extras
The Club Olympus Fitness Centre & Spa includes a pool and a modern equipped fitness suite. Beyond the obligatory hotel shops the most prestigious shopping centre, Ušče, is nearby. Last year Lonely Planet listed Belgrade among the ten best nightlife cities in the world, making the additional offer of the city or its surroundings not too hard to find.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Sometimes the price is too high when related to the quality of the hotel, especially in the high season. Difficulties with Wi-Fi internet, which is free of charge only for the first 30 minutes in the lobby and chargeable in the rooms, which is not in the spirit of the times and to the satisfaction of the majority of business guests.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Friendly and helpful staff going out of their way to please guests at every step.
OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Hyatt Regency is a legend on the Belgrade hotel scene. It represents an excellent choice in Belgrade’s current premium class. For many years it has been the most reliable and convincing Belgrade hotel. Soon it will face fierce competition with an excess of hotels, which will necessarily demand a renovation of the existing hotel. Already the rooms are calling for renovation. The hotel has a soul, which has been successfully shared with its guests for a number of years and, like the city itself, it does not leave you feeling indifferent.
FINAL GRADE: 4.44 BRONZE CITY 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
