OPTIMAL CHOICE
LOCATION
In Sarajevo, The spirit of the Olympics is deeply entrenched in history books and urban legends told by locals. At the same time, numerous venues eternalise memories of the Olympic Games hosted in 1984. Among them, Skenderija is an iconic hall known throughout the former Yugoslavia. Today, it bears the name of Mirza Delibašić, the best-ever Bosnian basketball player. The new Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo is within spitting distance of the legendary hall in the city centre. Guests can thus visit the landmarks on foot due to the hotel’s central location. The arrival of Courtyard by Marriott has complemented and evolved the congress offer in this Sarajevo district, which has since become a hotspot for event organisers. Given the hotel features one of the most alluring terraces for hosting events, the venue is unsurprisingly booked months in advance.
ACCESSIBILITY
Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo sits in the heart of Sarajevo. Public transport is thus easily accessible, whilst Sarajevo Airport is only 8 kilometres away. Given the cheap taxi fees in Sarajevo, opting for a taxi is the best way to reach the hotel. Guests arriving by car can park their vehicle in a small garage which is wise to book in advance. Despite the hustle and bustle, Sarajevo pulses with a relaxed and slow rhythm. To get a taste of the city, one should mirror the locals, slow down and walk around the city. You will see the city from an entirely new perspective after a mesmerising 15-minute historical walk to the legendary Baščaršija next to the Miljacka River.
COLD STARTER - Architecture and aesthetics
The hotel enfolds the city district between two streets that continue into the square in front of the ever-buzzing Skenderija Hall. Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo has a distinctly functional hotel design rooted in the old Austro-Hungarian architecture, typical for this part of the city. At the same time, it draws inspiration from the modernistic Skenderija Hall that changed the architectural landscape upon its opening. In essence, the building is elegantly monolithic and architecturally refined. Striking the eye is a welcoming lobby that spreads out to reminisce a living room. The designer furniture is enticing, and the warm space, dominated by the reception and the hotel bar, seamlessly blends with the meeting rooms and restaurant. All materials in the hotel are well-maintained and quality-made. Designer pieces of furniture scattered across the hotel corridors ingeniously enrich the interior.
WARM ENTRÉE - The staff and the culinary experience
Despite a crowd of guests, the hotel staff greeted us with a smile and in good spirits upon our arrival. The concierge was available at every step and provided excellent advice and additional information regarding the offer. Comfortable loungers in the lobby ensure guests can relax after a long journey. More importantly, the hotel reception functions flawlessly. Although we did not try the cuisine in the hotel restaurant, we were not disappointed by the breakfast that caters to international flavours. We were also pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the personnel. If guests seek more authentic local food, the streets of Sarajevo have plenty to offer. As expected of the hotel chain, cleanliness and tidiness are prioritised. Everything seems to be where guests expect it, in line with the expectations when staying at a Marriott hotel.
MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel
Hotel rooms
The rooms feature a design typical of Marriott hotels: a spacious interior tailor-made for business guests. The room we stayed in boasted brown flooring matching the walls in colours of coffee and dark walnut furniture. Adding a sense of harmony are the stylish walls in a similar colour. We appreciated the spacious writing desk that is perfect for remote work. The internet is lightning fast to make guests’ lives easier. The bathroom was charming, as was the quality bed. Albeit the room is nothing out of the ordinary, the typical Marriott amenities, such as the coffee maker, appealing cosmetics and a bottle of water on arrival, render the overall feeling great. Thus, the rooms are entirely up to the mark.
Meetings centre
The central meeting hall Torvill & Dean capacitates up to 120 attendees and is located on the basement floor. Adjoining the hall are smaller conference rooms, while the eighth floor is home to the Bolero Hall. What makes the hotel stand out from the competition is the Sky Lounge, a coveted venue in Sarajevo. The seasoned event team has hosted numerous demanding events in the past. Therefore, the organisation of your event is in good hands in this hotel.
DESSERT – The extras
The 24/7 Grab’n Go is a boutique shop that offers products you can enjoy in your room.
FLOP – Unpleasant surprises
Due to the central location, the parking garage is not exactly spacious. If you are not a master in parking, it may be best to let the concierge park your vehicle.
TOP – Pleasant surprises
Location, location and, once again, location is the trump card of Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo.
SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS
Marriott belongs among a handful of hotel chains that already measure the carbon footprint of its hotels. In Sarajevo, the measurements have shown the following picture:
– Carbon Footprint: 28.51 kg per room per night
– Water Footprint: 385.64 litres per room per night
FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo competes in the packed and popular category of city meeting hotels, and its rivals, even in Sarajevo, are in fierce competition to become the best. The hotel is undoubtedly a reliable choice for event organisers in Sarajevo. Guests will be amazed by the service, and the staff will make them feel welcome. The overall feeling of well-being while staying at the hotel meets the expectations. Most importantly, guests will be positively surprised by the excellent value for money. For these reasons alone, meeting planners continously decide to organise their events in the Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo.
FINAL GRADE: 4.75 SILVER 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
