I hereby decree the Hyatt Regency Belgrade as one of the best category 1 Hyatt hotels in the world. I had an amazing one night stay here in between Air Serbia flights.
Hyatt Regency Belgrade Review
Booking
First, a confession. The hotel is so nice I had assumed it was a higher category than one and just booked a cash rate, about 110EUR/night. I later found it would have been only 5,000 points per night, which would have represented a better value. Still, I felt the paid rate was excellent for the service and amenities I received. The hotel includes 302 rooms, including 39 suites.
Car Service
Not wanting to mess with the negotiating for a cab at Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, I reached out to the hotel earlier in the day and ordered car service to pick us up at the airport and take us back the next day.
The service was 55EUR each way, which is a lot more than we would have paid even had a cab driver fleeced us, but the peace of mind was also worth something and it was nice to ride in black Mercedes sedan versus an old Yugo.
Check-In
The exterior of the hotel has a distinct Soviet feel to it, which is hardly an illusion, as the hotel opened in 1990 (and has operated as a Hyatt ever since).
We each booked our own room. I have status and my friend does not. I was informed at check-in that I was upgraded to a suite on the top floor.
The man who checked me in at the front desk welcomed me back to the hotel (it had been nearly eight years) and thanked me for my Globalist status with World of Hyatt.
The hotel has very nice common areas with green plants, a waterfall, and even a koi pond.
Room
My King Suite included a large living room with couch and coffee table, guest bathroom, oversized work area with desk, a bedroom, and a large bathroom with tub, shower, and toilet all in a shared space.
I was amused by the large illy coffee machine in the room, but could not figure out how to use it! Ultimately, I figured I would drink coffee downstairs and save myself the trouble.
The minibar was empty, but the hotel placed a welcome amenity of fresh fruit on my coffee table.
Regency Club Lounge
Due to the pandemic, the Regency Club was closed. Rather than be enclosed, it was in an atrium with rooms on the seventh and eighth floor having access to it just by walking out.
Bar + Restaurants
We had a cocktail and eventually dinner in the hotel bar, which is where we met Nemenja, pictured below. He was such a knowledgeable bartender and we enjoyed a great conversation spanning a number of topics.
In fact, we enjoyed the conversation so much my friend and I chose to have dinner in the bar. My friend had steak while I chose to have sarma, stuffed cabbage with meat inside and some truffle mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables on the side. I paired it with a delicious glass of Serbian red wine. A delicious meal!
Nemenja knows how to make a great Mai Tai! This was a fun evening and Nemenja recommended many things to do and see when I am able to return to Belgrade for a longer period.
In addition to the bar, the hotel offer a lounge called Tea House featuring coffee, tea, deserts, and light meals.
Breakfast
In the morning, I had breakfast at Metropolitan Grill, the hotel’s international restaurant. Service was modified during the pandemic, with a partial buffet, but served by staff plus an a la carte menu.
I ordered an omelet followed by Prženice, like a French Toast with ham and cream on top.
While the cappuccino was not great, the strong Serbian coffee (just like Arabic or Turkish coffee) hit the spot, as did the freshly-squeezed apple and beet juice. I enjoyed dipping my croissant into the coffee…
Fitness + Swimming Pool + Spa
Club Olympus offers a large fitness center with modern strength training and cardiovascular equipment from Technogym, a wellness area with sauna and steam room, and a large indoor pool and hot tub.
I got up at 6:00am and had the entire pool and jacuzzi to myself, then had the entire gym to myself, and the sauna and steam room too. It’s nice to start the day early!
Smoking
Smoking is very prevalent in Serbia and very prevalent at this hotel. The bar was full of smokers. The lounge was full of smokers. Breakfast offered smoking and no-smoking sections. While it wasn’t an issue for me, do note that if you have a sensitive nose you will smell smoke at this hotel (indeed, you will throughout Serbia).
Location
The hotel is conveniently located in Belgrade city center, near Sava Center Congress Hall and Stark Arena. If you want to get to the old city, you’ll have to take a taxi or tram. It took 30 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel during rush hour and 20 minutes to return the following morning.
Parking
If you bring your own car, I was pleased to see the hotel has Tesla chargers available (though not superchargers).
CONCLUSION
The Hyatt Regency Belgrade is a great hotel in Belgrade. Serbia is a fascinating country and I would love to return for a longer visit. I’ve now visited this hotel twice and walked away impressed both times. This hotel is a particularly good use of 5,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Have you stayed at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade? How was your stay?
I’ll never figure out why someone – particularly a seasoned traveler – would pay 110 euros for a two 20 minute car rides versus 5 euros for a two 30 minute bus trips. But I suspect I’m in the minority.
https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airport-belgrade/
It was my friend. 😉
You’re a better friend than me!
Is this the same friend who won’t take trains in Europe? You either travel with a lot of people who have serious quirks or one person with a number of quirks.
What does a “coy pond” look like? I’ve only ever seen a “koi pond”. Is a coy pond a room where people just look at each other furtively all night without speaking?
Sorry, I’m sure it’s annoying when people point out typos, but that one was too good for me to resist.
I noticed it too.
Add the ‘reached out to’. Why not just say ‘contacted’?
It’s a vile phrase, one much favoured by Ben and Lucky on the other site. They’re forever ‘reaching out’ at the expense of more appropriate phrases. It’s very disappointing to note Matthew now adopting it. Simply awful and totally grating….
The hotel looks nice.
You’ve seriously confused me. What is wrong with “reach out to”?
https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/who-can-we-blame-for-the-ubiquity-of-the-phrase-reach-out-20170904-gyanwl
I wasn’t trying to be coy! 😉
Thanks for the review. I’ve been tentatively eyeballing this hotel for a couple of years and it’s great to have a trustworthy review.
And You still have not seem Belgrade.
We were there at the same dates. Stayed 5 nights, had corner suite.
Hyatt a walk to town center. But worth the walk.
Still looking forward to our Damascus trip.
I know. It’s tragic. But I now I have a list of places to see from Nemenja.
Technically, the city center is on the other side of the river, where the Marriott Courtyard is located.
The Hyatt is in the New Belgrade section.
KOI pond. 🙂 Thanks.
Would’ve probably stayed here if I was quick enough to pounce on $1200 r/t Belgrade to NYC business class tickets that were available booking 2 months ago… another time, I guess
This looks like it might be one of the nicest Category 1 properties in the system, almost certainly in the Western world. Park Hyatt Chennai in the East? It appears there is a new Regency in Doha that’s Category 1 as well. The decor looks awful, though.
Nice review!
Curious as the lounge was closed, weren’t you offered a replacement dinner/cocktail at the restaurant? Also free soft drink the whole day?
If i recall, there are some nice Hyatt properties in Kuala Lumpur and a Regency category 2 in Osaka
No free cocktail, but they were cheap.
Yes, the Grand Hyatt KL is another incredible buy.
Matthew – I’m very disappointed in your cultural insensitivity. Yugos haven’t been made since the NATO bombings (the cars were made in a factory that also produced guns and other weapons). Given the build “quality” of these lovely machines, there aren’t enough on the road to provide a taxi fleet. Most Serbian taxis now seem to be Dacias which are maybe a half-step better than the Yugos!
Seriously though – next time get into Belgrade proper and away from the Western hotel chains. Serbian food is some of the world’s best and you haven’t lived until you enjoy a 10pm meat fest for dinner, accompanied by live music and dancing, and followed by multiple rounds of rakia. Now that’s living!
Hi Caleb, as you’ll see in my Air Serbia review, the flight attendants saw fitting to give me a rakia tasting — five bottles to be exact…
Matthew – you referred to the prevalence of smoking, especially at your hotel. Was your suite non-smoking, and does the hotel have a section designated non-smoking? Even then, I wonder if the aroma of cigarette smoke permeated even the non-smoking areas. Nice review, and have a great 4th!
The smoking was present in the bars/restaurants, but not in common areas like the lobby or hallway or elevator. The top floor was non-smoking. My suite did not smell like smoke at all.
Great review! Staying at this hotel next weekend. How was the wifi—trying to see if I should schedule a zoom meeting or not. Also, were no-smoking rooms available?
Yes, there are smoking and non-smoking floors. Have to admit, I didn’t use the wi-fi much, but it worked. Not fast, but it worked.
The Tea House is half non smoking, and you can order food and cocktails there.