HIDDEN GUEST: Hyatt Regency Belgrade

When Hyatt Regency Belgrade opened its doors in 1989, Yugoslavia was on its last legs. Still, the Non-Aligned Movement symbolised the former power, openness, and international recognition of the former federation. Following the collapse of Yugoslavia, the hotel was long unrivalled; however, a new InterContinental is being built in its immediate vicinity, heralding a return of a healthy rivalry to the Serbian capital. After the renovation of the adjacent Sava Centre, the hotel regained its acclaim and gloss. The hotel stands in the heart of the Belgrade congress district, encircled by numerous administrative buildings and skyscrapers – architectural vestiges of the former brutalist architecture. Today, the buildings are experiencing their retro reinvigoration. In the surroundings, guests can find abundant verdant surfaces that soften the urban sharpness of the architecture and the iconic Belgrade “splavovi” on the Sava River, where guests can experience the pulse of the famed urban nightlife. Belgrade prides itself on being the party capital of the Balkans, and a part of this spirit can be felt here, a few steps from the hotel entrance. Time has shown that the hotel’s location was strategically selected to stand the test of time.

Hotel Hyatt Regency Belgrade has superb accessibility, as it is located in the Bermuda event triangle of New Belgrade, just 16 kilometres from the airport. The only small challenge arises during rush hour, when navigating the old town becomes tedious. Guests arriving by car can look forward to spacious parking and charging stations for electric vehicles that work through the Orion e-mobility app. The charging stations work swiftly and intuitively, while parking is free during the charging process.

Hyatt Regency Belgrade is the first bike-friendly hotel in Serbia.

The hotel offers 136 parking spots, and the daily parking rate costs 43 EUR per night. The hotel also provides professional valet service for an hour, half-day, or a whole day. This is an elegant alternative to the city taxi, which is otherwise affordable and accessible. More active guests can enjoy the hotel’s proximity to cycling and running routes along the Sava and Danube rivers that beckon tourists to discover the urban cityscape. Guests can opt for rent-a-bikes, a safe storage room, basic repair tools, a map of cycling routes, and even an e-bike charging station. The hotel thus combines accessibility, sustainable mobility, and comfort to meet the expectations of demanding business and leisure guests. By the way, Hyatt Regency Belgrade is the first bike-friendly hotel in Serbia.

The architecture of this Hyatt is unmissable – you can love it or hate it, but it will not leave you ambivalent.

Were we to capture the spirit of late Yugoslav modernism in one building, it would be the Hyatt Regency Belgrade. Its architect was the legendary master of modernist monumental architecture, Ivan Antić, whose brainchild is also the Museum of Modern Art, an icon of the city’s cityscape. Antić was adept at making the monumental more humane and imbuing the coarse concrete structure with the elegance of functionalism. His Hyatt Regency Belgrade was envisaged as a temple of rationality with five electric and four hydraulic lifts, a central control system, satellite antennas, and technical infrastructure that was ahead of its time upon its unveiling in 1989. Each detail tells the story of an era when Belgrade still believed in its international blossoming and expansion. The architecture of this Hyatt is unmissable – you can love it or hate it, but it will not leave you ambivalent. The lines are imposing, the spaces spacious, and the contrasts almost diplomatically harmonised. In many ways, the hotel resembles the idealised format of the former Yugoslav federation – grand, confident and long-lasting. Its majestic foyer with a glass atrium and marble still exudes the zeitgeist when hospitality meant an abundance of space. Hyatt Regency Belgrade remains an architectural monument of an epoch that knew how to show off with style.

When Hyatt Regency was first unveiled at the end of the eighties on Belgrade’s hospitality scene, it set a new standard for hotel excellence with its recognisable image and standards. It became synonymous with status, refinement, and business elegance. More importantly, it became the hotel where most of today’s regional hotel managers cut their teeth.

its essence is hidden behind the monumental facade: in the staff that gives the building substance.

Still today, its essence is hidden behind the monumental facade: in the staff that gives the building substance. The personnel are exceptionally professional, polite, and discreet, with an eye for detail. They also remain true to tradition, making every guest feel like an old guest. Their approach is based on a culture of attention guests experience in every look, smile, and gesture. Breakfast is lavish; a bright mosaic of flavours with several stations where chefs prepare bespoke dishes in front of the guests. Metropolitan Restaurant set a new milestone for the hotel as a Michelin-recommended restaurant, cementing its prime position on Belgrade’s gastronomic map. The menu combines international sophistication and local character. The only stain on the otherwise spotless apron of the hotel’s gastronomy is the fact that some areas of the hotel still allow smoking. This is a relic of a bygone time.

Hotel rooms

Regency Suite King convinced us with its size and comfort, and a bit less with its character. The room offers everything a guest expects of Hyatt on 65 square metres: a separate living room, a spacious bedroom, and a bathroom with a shower and bathtub. Nonetheless, the room(s) appear slightly outdated. The aesthetics from the 2000s dominate the room, namely with the bright wooden hues and blackout curtains that ooze timeless luxury. Yet, the space lacks freshness and novelty to rival newly opened competitors.

the room meets the five-star standards but lacks the spark that would light up the eye of a modern business guest.

Functionality is superb, but for our taste, the design was too classic. The room was spotless, technically refined, and soundproof. From the espresso machine, spacious work space to a comfortable working room, the elements reaffirm the premium five-star feel. The bathroom is intriguing, yet somewhat less spacious, considering the size of the suite. This drawback is outweighed by the marble ceramics that exude luxury. Regency Club Lounge adds value to the culinary offering, although the breakfast does not meet the level of lavishness in the Metropolitan Restaurant, which has set the bar even higher. The verdict is clear: the room meets the five-star standards but lacks the spark that would light up the eye of a modern business guest. Given the fast-developing competition in the surroundings, the hotel will need a refreshment or even a revamped design, more daylight, and a real wow element that will propel Hyatt to the front of the pack.

Meetings centre

Hyatt Regency Belgrade’s conference centre is a best practice case of functionality and refined design. Upon setting foot in this event area, we had the impression that it was designed by seasoned American pragmatic architects who understand the DNA of business events – easy access, logical guest flow, and technically-advanced infrastructure. Although the conference centre is not among the largest in the region, it can edge out many larger competitors thanks to its diversity, transparency, and versatility. It seemed as if they renovated the rooms at the right moment. Hyatt thus retained its status as a Belgrade congress classic that can easily square off with its younger rivals. The spacious lobbies, peerless logistics, and tidiness ooze the feeling of an event Eden. Hyatt Regency remains the quiet leader that does not need to prove its exquisiteness. Its offering speaks for itself. Moreover, the Studio, a new part of their offer in the lobby, looks fantastic and has been attracting numerous event organisers and attendees.

DESSERT – The extras

The Club Olympus Spa & Fitness Centre in Hyatt Regency Belgrade remains one of the most alluring places to relax, even in 2025. The fitness is well-equipped, the pool is serene, and the wellness is holistic and professional. Everything works flawlessly, and the staff is kind and discreet. Perhaps the space could be imbued with more warmth through one-off designer elements. Nonetheless, the space offers everything a business guest might need – tranquillity, tidiness, and discreet luxury.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

Occasionally, the price policies of hotels fail to reflect reality. In high season, the price for an overnight stay can be rather exaggerated, considering the age of the hotel and the number of renovations the hotel has undergone in recent years. Of course, Hyatt Regency Belgrade deserves a venerable position because of its superb service and homage to tradition, yet the value for money seems off sometimes. The expectations for Hyatt are high, and their flagship in Belgrade may not meet them.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Hyatt Regency Belgrade’s trump card is neither marble, nor crystal, nor architecture. It is its personnel. They are exceptionally kind, discreet, and organically hospitable, without any forced formality or decorum, which is often encountered in other hotel chains. Every smile and gesture is genuine, oozing a feeling of warmth and welcome that can neither be bought nor trained. This personal approach, paired with their professionalism and attention to detail, renders Hyatt Regency Belgrade a hotel of classic elegance in the Belgrade hospitality scene.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Hyatt Regency Belgrade pleasantly surprised us with its honest pledge to operate sustainably. Here, the word is not only a fad, but a daily practice. The rooftop of the hotel features two beehives. Guests can taste the “in-house” honey at breakfast. This small, but meaningful symbol is a testament to their responsible work. The hotel uses energy from 100% renewable energy sources, almost all the illumination is LED, and the bathrooms feature cosmetics for multiple uses, which helps reduce plastic waste. Guests can participate in the Conserve programme, where the bed linen is changed every three days, which helps reduce water and energy use. In the kitchen, they have adopted the KITRO system to reduce food waste. More importantly, they only use local and sustainably grown ingredients. In this field, Hyatt is a pioneer and deserves praise. Exemplary!

This evaluation is the fourth for the legend of Belgrade’s hospitality scene, and, once again, it did not disappoint. Hyatt Regency Belgrade remains synonymous with refinement, tradition, and enduring quality. The story, now 36 years old, proves that real values never fade away in the hotel industry. Upon setting foot in the hotel, each guest finds themselves in a world where everything is as it should be – from the architectural design to the flawlessly orchestrated guest experience. The ambience, created with an eye for detail, still embodies classic luxury.

Hyatt Regency Belgrade remains a reference point for the premium offering in Belgrade.

We could find details here and there that would improve the overall image, but these details vanish when you organise an event here. Hyatt’s conference centre is a textbook example of how a modern hotel and congress product should look. To boot, it has been setting an example since 1989. With its signature emotional and dynamic character, it convinces even the most demanding guests, offering them what they seek in Belgrade: energy, elegance, and hospitality, all in one.

Hyatt Regency Belgrade remains a reference point for the premium offering in Belgrade. It is reliable, authentic, and comes with a copious amount of flair. Yet, new times bring new challenges: the novel competitors will force the hotel to revamp its rooms and refresh its concept. Nevertheless, the soul remains unchanged – genuine, warm and unmissable, as the very city it represents.

FINAL GRADE: 4.92 TWO MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ City 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