HIDDEN GUEST: Hotel President Sarajevo

Can you imagine a winning hotel in Sarajevo? It would probably be located right next to Baščaršija, close to Miljacka River, a leap from the Emperor’s Mosque and in the immediate vicinity of Viječnica. The only hotel that ticks all those boxes is Hotel President Sarajevo, which opened in 2015. Since then, the four-star privately owned hotel has become so popular in Sarajevo that you will struggle to find a room amid the high tourist season. You will have more luck in the off-season when locals are much more relaxed and open. In any case, the hotel’s location is exceptional, and the old city centre will be in the palm of your hand.

Hotel President Sarajevo is ten kilometres from the airport in Butmir. That means you can expect a short fifteen-minute drive or a forty-minute journey. Sarajevo’s Olympic mountain plateaus are close, including Bjelašnica, Jahorina and Igman. The gondola leading to the Trebević plateau is a short walk away, taking you directly to the Olympic fairytale place.

If you reach Sarajevo by car, the hotel offers some parking spots. The affordable parking house on the other side of Miljacka River in front of Viječnica is a good alternative. Public transport in Sarajevo is undergoing a revolution as new, modern trams will improve public transport substantially. The first batch of new arrivals is already on its way. From a health perspective, we recommend walking, as everything worth seeing in Sarajevo is within walking distance.

Upon opening, the hotel stirred some opinions and prompted discussion in the local environment. Today, it seems the modern hotel exterior has seeped into the surroundings. The glass part of the building beautifully integrates with the lines of houses facing the Miljacka River. Wooden elements are a nod to the ornaments and stories that permeate Baščaršija. Modern blends with traditional throughout the hotel. Although the hotel perhaps seems cold because of the stone details, it is not dull. Looking at the countless layers of storied history in Sarajevo is always magical. To this end, the enormous glass surfaces act like a camera obscura. Eight years have passed since the hotel opened its doors, and now the interior seems almost classic. Still, we must praise the quality design for standing the test of time, defying both passing design fads and the hoards of seasonal guests. Nonetheless, eight years on, the hotel seems a bit weary.

There is no debate: Sarajevo locals are utterly kind and incredible hosts. Their hospitality is natural and never faked. This hotel is no different and will not leave you indifferent. From the reception desk and staff at breakfast, the personnel always strives to create exceptional experiences. Regardless, we believe there is some room for improvement. The breakfast, otherwise solid, was perhaps too generic, considering the extraordinary culinary offer around Baščaršija. A proper Turkish coffee served in a cezve instead of an instant coffee would make a world of difference. We would appreciate it if the dishes we wanted to believe were local were actually locally sourced and labelled aptly. In short, the hotel could justify its location through its cuisine because we think guests would be willing to pay top dollar for such service. Needless to say, there is fierce competition around Baščaršija.

Hotel rooms

Even the basic room we stayed in was very spacious and well-equipped. Decorative furniture elements pay homage to the nearby Baščaršija. Massive furniture in walnut colour pairs brilliantly with the beige flooring and leather ornaments. Even though the large photo tapestry behind the bed is borderline kitsch, it appears authentic when considering the hotel story. The bed was great, even above standard, and so was the bathroom, delighting guests with floor heating in the winter. Everything is where one expects it to be. The same can be said for the mini bar, now an exception rather than a rule in many hotels. The rooms have stunning views of Miljacka River and Trebević Plateau, as well as one of the oldest mosques in Sarajevo – the Emperor’s Mosque. There is something romantic about waking up from a long sleep to the calls of the local imam inviting Muslims to pray in the morning.

Meetings centre

The hotel boasts two smaller conference halls. The President Hall on the top floor is very attractive, offering stunning views. Event organisers can invite up to 55 participants to the neat terrace. The smaller terrace accommodates 25 people and is perfect for corporate meetings. In any case, the hotel is ideal for smaller corporate incentive groups, who can enjoy the versatility of Sarajevo’s incentive programs. They can select active, culinary, cultural or adrenaline experiences.

DESSERT – The extras

Legendary meat restaurants are abundant in the vicinity. All are within spitting distance: Željo, Hodžić, Ferhatović, etc. There is perhaps no better hotel for keen lovers of truly exceptional čevapčiči.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The trams running underneath the hotel rooms can be pretty loud, although the room is well-isolated. Acclimatising yourself to this romantic element of staying in Sarajevo takes some time. We did miss better illumination of the room, especially the work desk.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Beer or wine is hard to find in many hotels across Sarajevo. This hotel, luckily, has both, which many target groups will appreciate.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES

Apart from shampoo dispensers in the shower cabin, the hotel neither communities nor advocates any sustainable initiatives. It seems sustainability is not on the agenda of this hotel yet. Sarajevo, in general, is making slow progress in this field.

In some way, the hotel sets standards for smaller city hotels with conference capacities. It delivers everything promised by such hotels: it is small, versatile and boasts a great location. All this is relevant for event organisers only to an extent. Organisers of incentive corporate events or smaller-sized meetings with fewer participants will likely cherish it most. To find something better, you must look for venues with greater capacities in Sarajevo. The hotel probably cannot satisfy all event organisers because space is not its greatest advantage. Suma summarum, Hotel President is a likeable city crossover hotel, even if jagged on some edges. After ten years, hotels usually get the renovation they deserve.

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