HIDDEN GUEST: Bor Hotel by Karisma

Zlatibor is among the most alluring mountain destinations in Southeast Europe – a tourist gem that has been captivating visitors with its natural beauty, healing microclimate and rich tourism tradition for over 125 years. More and more business guests seeking quality infrastructure, pristine nature and countless possibilities for relaxation and networking are frequenting the Serbian mountain gem.

Although the city centre of Zlatibor continues to face issues such as intense urbanisation and commercialisation, the real genius loci of the destination hides a few hops away – in the serene corners that reflect the natural and cultural heritage. This contrast renders Zlatibor unique and intriguing for business guests as well. Amidst this dichotomous mountain outpost, Bor Hotel by Karisma settled just outside the tourist epicentre. Most sights are within spitting distance, yet far enough from the hustle and bustle to allow guests to enjoy intimacy in the embrace of towering pine trees. We sense that the brutal construction of countless hotels and apartments in Zlatibor will finally ease up. Given its natural beauty, Zlatibor has unmatched potential in the region. It can easily compete with Bled, Bansko and other regional mountain gems. Bor Hotel heralds a new era of hotel construction in Zlatibor. The city aims to build quality hotels that underline the importance of a year-round destination and put aside the construction of the dominant apartments.

Reaching Zlatibor has been made effortless in recent years thanks to a new motorway connecting Belgrade with Čačak, which shortened the journey to this popular mountain centre in half. The journey from Belgrade to Zlatibor now takes two and a half hours across a modern, well-maintained road. Before, reaching Zlatibor meant a bumpy ride across the local roads with plenty of traffic jams. Soon, the journey will be even faster thanks to a new part of the motorway connecting Požega with the rest of the country.

Although you must snake through the regional roads for the final kilometres to reach Zlatibor, the journey is much more comfortable now. Public transport remains limited; Zlatibor only offers connections to larger cities such as Belgrade and Novi Sad, which have regular bus lines. The city would benefit from systematically improving connections with other parts of Serbia and providing holistic information for tourists who do not arrive by car. International guests who predominantly arrive in this part of Serbia through Belgrade Airport can also opt for the Morava Airport near Čačak. However, the boutique airport has not yet become a preferred choice due to limited flights. Upon arrival at the hotel, guests are greeted by a welcoming concierge who will gladly park their ride in the spacious underground parking garage. The garage is friendly for guests with disabilities and even has several spots reserved for EVs.

The entire design is refined and thought-out, designed to (re)connect guests with nature and authentic style.

We must agree with the hotel’s slogan, Natural Chic. Bor Hotel by Karisma in Zlatibor is a modern luxury hotel that merges contemporary design with natural elements typical of Zlatibor’s lush plateau. Its architects aimed to create a harmonious facility that combines comfort and nature. They succeeded in bringing a touch of local nature by incorporating the native pinewood and stone and creating open spaces that flood the hotel with natural daylight. Although buildings have been rising vertically in Zlatibor in recent years, this hotel’s proportions do not protrude from the canopies of the evergreen pine trees. The interior exudes warmth with wooden and designer details, lounge furniture, an alluring bar and a central fireplace.

The hotel’s trump card is the Vassa SPA wellness centre, comprising an opulent pool, a slew of saunas and a modern fitness centre. Guests are sure to have a holistic wellness experience. What caught our eye was the premium flooring in the hotel corridors that adds to the splendour and attests to the quality of materials. The entire design is refined and thought-out, designed to (re)connect guests with nature and authentic style. Bor Hotel by Karisma is one of the best examples of contemporary hotel architecture in Zlatibor.

The incredible kindness and professionalism of the staff undoubtedly deserve praise. We felt welcome and respected as soon as we set foot in the hotel. The impression stayed with us throughout our stay. Not once did the staff disappoint. Several successive positive surprises culminated in a wonderful experience at the wellness centre, where the staff ensured complete relaxation and pampering.

The gastronomy in the hotel is impressive, from the original dishes to the extensive wine list. The menu in Pino Restaurant is seasonal, combining international and local dishes. The chef’s mastery is evident in the dessert section. We were impressed by the wine list that offers the best of the region and the world. The dinner was memorable thanks to our world-class waiter. Locals say Kumo Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge is the best sushi restaurant in Zlatibor. Although we did not have time to try for ourselves, we will take their word and trust the high ratings online.

Breakfast is among the best in the region. If you can finish the signature dish, the “komplet lepinja”, a yummy bread with “kajmak”, a typical Serbian cheese inside, you are geared up to join the local lumberjacks for a day in the forest. The tasty breakfast high in calories is umami! We paired it with “proja“, a simple cornbread served as a side dish. By the way, the coffee and freshly squeezed juice are excellent – something that befits such a resort.

Hotel rooms

The Luxury King Room, where we stayed, charmed us with its spacious design stretching 41 square metres. A charming, refined partition wall separates the living room from the bedroom. The stunning wooden flooring, which pairs well with the mouse-grey colour of the walls, oozes timeless elegance. Rustic wooden beams lining the ceiling add to the prestige. The olive-hued sofa appears sophisticated and contrasts with the subtle tones of the room. The wall behind the headboard, crafted in a Scottish tartan pattern, appears lavish and cosy.

Overlooking the snow-capped mountains surrounding Zlatibor, the balcony offers a picture-postcard view – a sight for sore eyes, regardless of the season. All elements in the room are where and how they should be – from the functional and spacious work desk and subtle lights to the silky smooth bed linen. Demanding guests can choose their favourite pillow thanks to a bespoke pillow menu. The bathroom is a separate world within the room – perhaps a bit dim, but a perfect intimate setting. The black ceramic tiles are a welcome surprise that appears elegant and modern. Practical soap dispensers are filled with superb Amouage cosmetics. The Luxury King Room is a dream room where you will struggle to find any drawbacks.

Meetings centre

The hotel features one conference hall with a capacity of up to 140 attendees in a theatre setting. The hall is located on the top floor, serving guests panoramic vistas of the surrounding area, thus creating an inspiring environment for events. Only a partition wall separates the meeting hall from the Kumo Restaurant. The wall can be taken aside, connecting the two spaces. The hall is equipped with the most modern technology, from the projector, screen and illumination to the sound. The hotel will help you organise various team activities in cooperation with local providers.

DESSERT – The extras

The minimalist, thought-out logo cropped up throughout the facilities. You will see it everywhere, even in your room. Even if you do not know the brand name, you will associate it with the hotel after your stay.

FLOP – UNPLEASANT SURPRISES

In a nutshell, we have no negative remarks, which happens rarely. The maintenance team should only address the scratches and dents at the entrance and exit to the garage, probably left by less crafty drivers.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The splendid breakfast features modern cuisine whilst respecting local culinary heritage, such as the “komplet lepinja”, local cheese and cold cuts. All dishes were tasty and labelled exemplary. One more note: in a time when you are greeted in a foreign language in more and more hotels that employ staff from distant places, Bor Hotel is an exception that supports the local environment and ensures the entire team is local.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Karisma Hotels boasts its own sustainable program titled Passion for Sustainability. These hotels even boast non-European certificates. In light of this, we hoped Bor Hotel would be a forerunner in sustainability. They delivered in terms of gastronomy and energy management of the building, but could improve their activities to actively reduce the carbon footprint and communicate the initiatives with the guests.

Bor Hotel may not have been the first to introduce a contemporary architectural style to Zlatibor’s tourist establishments, but it evolved the hotel service. Bor Hotel is a recognisable, distinguishable hotel with personality, an original design and impeccable service. It has deservedly become one of the leading hotels in Zlatibor. Its interior is stunning, from tidy lounging areas bedecked with quality furniture to lavish hotel rooms and refined restaurants, lounges and bars. The architects created a pleasant place to stay, where we would easily have stayed longer. The bottom line is that Bor Hotel is an excellent incentive hotel where guests feel at home. Both in the hotel and in Zlatibor, teambuilding options abound. Given the quality of the hotel facilities, the value for money is outstanding. This hotel is a welcome addition to the best regional incentive hotels with its American standard of luxury in the “Zlatibor way”. Warmly recommended!

FINAL GRADE: 4.97 THREE MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ Resort Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60