HIDDEN GUEST: Radisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade

When Radisson Collection Hotel Old Mill opened its doors in 2014, the district looked vastly different from what it is today. The legendary BIGZ building was decaying, while the Belgrade Waterfront seemed more of a utopia than a reality. Today, this district is the new heart of Belgrade, on the doorstep of the Radisson hotel. The second phase of the Belgrade Waterfront will now begin construction in the immediate vicinity.

This formerly forgotten district has been given a new lease of life.

Thanks to the long-term vision of the investors, this formerly forgotten district has been given a new lease of life. The story of the hotel has remained authentic and relevant since opening. It goes like this: Serbia’s intense industrialisation reached its peak at the end of the 19th century, particularly for the food and textile industries. Amid its heyday, Belgrade welcomed its first industrial mill in 1904. The rich and charmingly raw history of the building was halted by a fire that broke out in 1994. This heritage building was left to decay until the Austrian company Soravia bought it. The hotel adopted its moniker based on the story of the old mill. Over the years, we have evaluated this hotel three times. This time, we wanted to compare how the hotel has changed over time.

Hotel Radisson Blu Old Mill Belgrade helped revive an industrial district bordering one of the main traffic junctions in Belgrade. Just a few steps away, guests will find the Belgrade Fair. Ložionica, a splendid new event space across the street, is poised to position the area as a meeting hub. With its strategic location on the edge of the Belgrade Waterfront, the hotel is already a crucial part of the future city core. Its location is superb: Nikola Tesla Airport is only 18 kilometres away (some 20 to 30 minutes away by car), depending on the traffic. Public transport is readily available – guests can take lines 23, 37, 51, 52, 53 and 56 that connect the hotel to various parts of Belgrade. The bus stop Mostarska is within spitting distance. Radisson Blu Old Mill is favoured by guests who arrive in the city by car. The hotel offers outdoor parking and an underground parking garage. Guests have no problems paying a price of 25 EUR per night, knowing their care is safe and sound overnight.

Access to the hotel from the direction of the Belgrade Fair is not ideal yet, as cars cannot turn into the entrance from the broad avenue. Nonetheless, excellent signage helps guests find the way. We hope the city will arrange a direct passage to connect the Belgrade Waterfront with the hotel soon, as crossing the avenue is currently a perilous ordeal for pedestrians.

We must admit that the architecture never ceases to amaze us. Despite the hotel recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, it still appears fresh, authentic and timeless. This hotel has stood the test of time thanks to the work by the acclaimed Berlin-based architects from Studio GRAFT. Hotel Radisson Blu Old Mill Belgrade is among a handful of hotels in Europe where the architecture not only preserves the heritage of a former industrial building but transforms it into a contemporary, original and experiential space. The architects designed the decor to resemble a space where past and present not only meet but co-exist.

Entering the property feels like a scene from a futuristic film – with each step, a new layer of history, refined design, advanced technology, and subtle art reveals itself.

Radisson Collection Old Mill is not only a hotel, but a spatial experience. The designers chose every detail to tell a story, from the copper adorning the reception desk to the art photos that hang in the rooms. The central part, a former industrial mill, was exemplary restored and reshaped into the heart of the hotel. The past is not on the sidelines here, but respectfully showcased as an integral part of the identity. The raw industrial aesthetic harmoniously blends with contemporary materials and warm ambience, exuding comfort and local authenticity. An original architectural addition is the central Piazza in front of the hotel, which comes to life as a venue for cultural, culinary and social events. It adds another layer to the experience that goes beyond an overnight stay.

The hotel once set standards across regional hotels with its revolutionary menu, co-created by young chefs Fabrizio Bigi, Milan Lekić and Vanja Puškar. While the pioneers and giants of Serbian contemporary gastronomy are long gone, writing new stories elsewhere, their creative spirit still lingers in the hotel. Reinterpreting traditional Serbian cuisine remains the focus of the OMB Larder restaurant. Here, local flavours meet international influences in daring combinations that combine modern textures. The avant-garde approach to combining flavours, tradition and innovation remains the guiding principle. They were among the first to offer the local craft beer Kabinet in a hotel. Most hotel guests will come face to face with the gastronomy story at breakfast, which still provides one of the best experiences around with a rich selection of dishes, thought-out plating and exemplary labelling of dishes. While the food is tasty, we must take a dig at the staff who seemed more interested in talking to one another than serving us. It may have been the full moon at the time of our visit. Luckily, the staff working at the reception desk were incredibly professional, kind and hospitable. We were equally impressed by the level of cleanliness and maintenance within the hotel. This might be the reason why the hotel still appears fresh and flawless, even after a decade.

Hotel rooms

Upon our most recent visit, we stayed in the elegant Collection Premium Room (covering 45 square metres) in the historic part of the hotel. Although the hotel has been operating for a decade, the room is maintained perfectly – it still feels fresh, timeless and with no signs of wear and tear. That attests to the importance of the less-is-more approach in the hotel industry. They carefully selected each material, which will impress even the most demanding business guests. The interior exudes minimalist warmth with a whiff of industrial-style decor. The coarse concrete walls set the canvas for artworks by the Strauss & Hillegaart tandem that tell the story of the hotel, giving the room a strong visual presence. Although the ceiling-high windows do not offer spectacular views (they overlook the interior courtyard), they flood the room with daylight and ooze a feeling of elegance and open design.

The combination of polished design, artistic expression and functionalism fosters an experience that goes beyond the average hotel standard.

The design of the room pairs recycled and natural materials: brick, wood and soft textiles, thus creating a balance between the industrial heritage and refined, contemporary comfort. The bathroom does not disappoint with its brightness, subtle illumination, double sink and professional air dryer. The Collection Premium Room was designed with the business guest in mind. It features an abundance of workspace, yet still leaves room for comfort, while retaining an intimate and personal character. The combination of polished design, artistic expression and functionalism fosters an experience that goes beyond the average hotel standard.

Meetings centre

When first unveiled to the public, the meeting halls of the Radisson Collection Old Mill Belgrade were dashing and innovative. Today, they still stand out from the competition with their refined design and impressive ambience. The space is not only functional; it is a catalyst for outside-the-box thinking. A phenomenal example of that is the Brain Box room, curated for creative workshops, boutique meetings or team collaborations. Using bright colours, soft carpets, whiteboard walls, and flexible furniture, the architects fostered an inspiring environment that encourages imaginative thinking, dynamics and active collaboration. The central meeting hall can seat up to 220 attendees. It is flooded with natural daylight and fitted with modern audiovisual equipment and versatile furniture. This architectural gem is among Belgrade’s finest meeting halls, as it has retained the authentic elements of the old industrial building and integrated contemporary and elegant aesthetics. Event organisers can also take advantage of several modular conference rooms that can be used for various event types, from boutique business meetings to large conferences. All the halls are technically well-equipped, air-conditioned and connected to the main hotel infrastructure. We must outline that even today, the meeting rooms do not appear generic – they have retained their character, identity and aesthetic value. We believe that makes them one of the most compelling event spaces in the city.

DESSERT – The extras

The timeless architecture elevates any event. Hotel Radisson Collection Old Mill Belgrade shows that a polished architectural concept plays a key role in shaping the guest’s journey. It is living proof that having an excellent architect in the early stages of design is priceless.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The cumbersome access to the hotels requires ingenuity from guests arriving by car. That remains the hotel’s Gordian knot. In line with hotel trends, the management could consider rehauling the gym.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Exceptional bed lining is not always a given. Thanks to it, you will be out like a light. The cleanliness and room maintenance also contribute to the superb ambience.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Hotel Radisson Collection Old Mill Belgrade aspires to operate sustainably. It is among the pioneers of adopting sustainable practices in the Serbian hotel industry. We were most impressed by their consistency in managing and recycling waste, and using LED lighting and efficient air conditioning and heating systems. The hotel is specially focused on incorporating local ingredients that represent the foundation of the OMB Larder restaurant. By doing so, they actively reduce the environmental footprint of the gastronomy and support local providers and suppliers.

Their sustainability endeavours were rewarded with the prestigious Green Key certificate, making Radisson Collection Old Mill one of the first hotels in Serbia with this award. The recognition is a guarantee for guests that they have entered a hotel where sustainability is not just a buzzword, but a vision and promise.

The Old Mill’s three traits might be the rarity that keeps guests returning – reliability, warmth and uniqueness.

Before our visit, the hotel changed hands, becoming part of the Delta Holding group. It is too early to evaluate whether this transition will be a step forward or backwards in the long run. Yet, it is plain to see the hotel is in superb form. It remains a peculiar lone wolf within the Radisson hotel chain – authentic, different and one-off. In recent years, it has become one with its surroundings. The development of the Belgrade Waterfront is bringing the hotel closer to its native city. A decade since its opening, the concept of the elegant, authentic hotel paired with an iconic restaurant and lively lounge bar remains alluring and fresh. The affordable price policy plays a key role in keeping this hotel on par with younger competitors.

Even though new hotels continue to proliferate across Belgrade, Radisson Collection Old Mill does not seem outdated. Au contraire, it has retained its position and identity. Perhaps our first thought when visiting the hotel a decade ago – “OMG” – is no longer relevant; however, this hotel remains a positive surprise thanks to its ambience and excellent value for money. As glitz and glamour are becoming the norm across Belgrade’s hotels, the Old Mill’s three traits might be the rarity that keeps guests returning – reliability, warmth and uniqueness.

FINAL GRADE: 4.88 THREE 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