FOREST ADVENTURE
LOCATION
Athletes often opt for high-altitude training to improve their aerobic capabilities. Their bodies produce more red blood cells when exercising at higher altitudes. Miloš Teodosić, one of Serbia’s best-ever basketball players, home from the nearby city of Valjevo, is well-aware of that. Thus, it is unsurprising that he choose Divčibare for his hotel. The destination is famed as one of the best mountain-climate resorts in Serbia. The karst plateau was officialy proclaimed a health resort in 1963 when they discovered the beneficial climate of the area. Pannonian and Meditteranean air currents mix, thus creating a favourable climate for healing respiratory diseases. At 1000 metres, the hotel boasts a unique location that convinces even the most demanding congress guests.
ACCESSIBILITY
Divčibare’s trump card is its proximity to the Serbian capital of Belgrade. The airport in Belgrade is 85 kilometres away, while roughly 40 minutes will take you to Divčibare from Valjevo. To reach the mountain paradise, visitors must embark on a bus, opt for public transport or get there by car. Luckily, the journey was shortened by the newly-constructed highway dubbed Miloš the Great. In the past few months, the road to Divčibare was renovated thoroughly. Thus, travelling the scenic roads is a pleasant experience. Hotel Crni Vrh Divčibare is perched on a hill above the main tourist village, and guests can walk to all the key sights at the destination. The free parking at the hotel is well-maintained.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The hotel is a novelty in Serbia chiefly because of its praiseworthy sports infrastructure. Architecturally, the hotel is divided into two modern constructions embraced by two central sports fields shaped like an amphitheatre. The first building welcomes guests, while the second is home to athletes and sports halls. Hotel Crni Vrh seamlessly blends with the pine tree forest surrounding it. Among the highlights is a large hall built according to FIBA standards, a full-sized football field and accompanying sports facilities. The functional design is ideal for team buildings and other incentive programs. Given everything is close by and the hotel stretches on 2,2 hectares, there is more than enough room for numerous activities.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
The personnel is kind and professional, particularly in Restaurant 4, renowned as one of the best at the destination. The restaurant prepares tasteful and eye-catching dishes with a modern twist on traditional Serbian cuisine. In addition, the pleasant ambience with a modern fireplace in the centre and a variety of spirits render it unique. The hotel restaurant, likewise, meets expectations. As always, there is room for improvement. In this case, the hotel can work on the details. Hotel Crni Vrh should not make differences between the off-season and high season. Guests should feel welcome even if the hotel is not bustling with guests.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The rooms come in various sizes and feature a modern mountain architectural style with imposing walls that feature wooden details. A combination of dark wooden flooring appears welcoming. Congress guests will appreciate the spacious writing desk. The lighting in the room is pleasant, and with a bit of adapting, guests will find their optimal illumination. We missed a detail or two in the room that would make it stand out. These would include a lounger or a coffee machine. Nonetheless, the rooms are standard-appropriate and created for athletes.
Meetings centre
The hotel features a multipurpose conference centre that stretches 250 m2. It can welcome up to 250 attendees and can be divided into two smaller halls. There are endless opportunities for various team activities in the hotel vicinity. Guests can thus opt for a zipline adventure, visit an adventure park, go off-roading with jeeps, hike or enjoy pristine nature.
DESSERT – The extras
The exhibition gallery in the lobby adds value to the hotel. The works of painter Igor Jovanović are a feast for the eyes.
FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
The hotel hardly has any drawbacks apart from the relatively high prices for Serbia. They are, however, justified by the rich and diverse offer.
TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
Restaurant 4 is a welcome surprise, offering a modern interpretation of Serbian cuisine, kind staff and a terrace with a view.
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
The hotel is modern, visually appealing and surprises guests with its sports-inspired soul. With its superb hotel rooms and sports facilities, Hotel Crni Vrh oozes a feeling of quality and spaciousness. It seems the hotel management found a winning recipe. A combination of sports activities and a four-star hotel is tremendously successful in Divčibare. Although COVID-19 halted the development of congress tourism, now, this segment is restarting. Hotel Crni Vrh’s holistic package is urging guests to visit. Athletes have already uncovered this mountain gem. It is time for meeting planners to discover Divčibare.
FINAL GRADE: 4.71 SILVER Resort 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
