HIDDEN GUEST: St. Regis Belgrade

The crown of the Belgrade Waterfront

ENCLOSED BY GLASS AND GOLD

LOCATION

The imposing Kula Belgrade represents the symbolic crown of the Belgrade Waterfront. It has quickly cemented its position as the newest architectural icon of the city. It was envisaged by the global construction company Eagle Hills, based in Dubai, which is helmed by Mohamed Alabbar, the prominent owner of Emaar Properties. The company’s portfolio also includes the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa.

The ambitious vision of revitalising the former industrial bank of the Sava River into a contemporary commerce, residential and tourist hub in the Western Balkans is swiftly becoming a reality.

Kula Belgrade is the centrepiece of this reinvigoration. This spiral of glass and steel has claimed the title of Serbia’s tallest skyscraper at 168 metres. A key part of this complex is the novel, ultra-luxury St. Regis Belgrade, a hotel spanning the first eleven floors of the building. Its position, right next to the Sava River, allows guests to easily access Belgrade’s key business, cultural and historical landmarks. The design of the building was envisaged by the architectural bureau Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), an internationally acclaimed bureau famed for projects such as the One World Trade Centre in New York. The location is still under development, but the Belgrade Waterfront is already showing its future face. Even though this revamped district is becoming ever more lively, its old spirit, the city’s soulful side described timelessly by local author Momo Kapor, is slowly fading. As you saunter the new promenade, his thoughts come to mind: “Belgrade will never be completed. The city is an eternal construction site of emotions, recollections and new beginnings.”

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

ACCESSIBILITY

Belgrade is reinventing itself as an alluring and accessible destination for business and leisure guests alike.

According to the latest data compiled by the ACI Airport Connectivity Index, Belgrade is the best-connected regional air crossroads in former Yugoslavia. The Serbian capital is experiencing exponential growth in all areas and is perpetually improving its connectivity in its goal to become a key regional traffic hub. The development of the Belgrade Airport is not coincidental, but part of the country’s broader strategic vision to advance multimodal accessibility by train, car and public transport. Nikola Tesla Airport is approximately twenty minutes away from the hotel, outside of rush hours. This proximity ensures guests arriving by plane reach the hotel quickly and comfortably. Guests arriving by car can, likewise, expect effortless logistics thanks to a gracious concierge, as long as they can find the way to the hotel. The hotel should consider improving the signage to reach the hotel garage. The spacious underground parking garage with over 300 parking spaces luckily makes up for this drawback. While the construction sites dotting the banks of the Sava River currently render accessibility on foot or by bicycle somewhat complicated, guests will soon enjoy tidy walking trails and cycling paths leading to the city centre. Modernising the public transport is also part of the city’s long-term vision. Belgrade will modernise its system of bus and tram lines that will connect the city’s districts and prompt visitors to travel without a car. Thanks to its growing accessibility and improving traffic infrastructure, Belgrade is reinventing itself as an alluring and accessible destination for business and leisure guests alike.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

The responses to the glass skyscraper, designed by world-famous Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) architectural bureau, have ranged from amazement to puzzlement. With a height of 168 metres and a recognisable “parametric design”, the building visually differs from the typical box-like skyscraper typology. The shape of the Kula is said to symbolise the location at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. At the same time, the architects adopted a strategy that follows contemporary trends in parametric design. While the impact of such rounded elements on the functionalism of the building is limited, the Kula Belgrade has visually transformed the cityscape of the district.

The facade is typical of contemporary skyscrapers: glass surfaces and a balanced facade with vertical elements exude elegance and spaciousness. Yet, as an individual entity, it appears colossal and self-sufficient, which was likely the end goal – to showcase the might and stability of the Belgrade Waterfront.

The interior of the St. Regis Hotel strikes a balance between luxury and symbolic local identity. The lobby features a light installation that reminded us of fish scales – an immediate reference to the vicinity of the two rivers. The interior design follows a tried-and-tested formula: natural wood, marble, hues of gold and copper and select artworks. Despite the enviably high standard and quality of materials, we pondered if we had not seen this story before. The architecture and interior were made in the global luxury hotel form that is being (re)produced in various contexts around the globe, with local variations but without any bold reinterpretations. In this light, the Kula Belgrade is not as impressive as its height suggests. Instead of embracing the city’s story and identity, the architecture seems dictated by global trends and capital.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

It would be nearly impossible to find a hotel personnel that embodies the values of the St. Regis brand better.

Aleksandar, Filip, Natalija – these are just a few of the staff members distinguished by youthful diligence and professionalism. They ooze a sense of warmth with their unintrusive, yet confident and heartfelt approach. Even the most demanding guests melt when welcomed by the team. It would be nearly impossible to find a hotel personnel that embodies the values of the St. Regis brand better – discreet omnipresence, attention to detail and personalised care. That is the hotel’s forte – a team that works in harmony and confidently, showing they have undergone a rigorous but brilliant education. The breakfast is served entirely à la carte. In the local hotel environment, this is the exception rather than the rule. However, for five-star institutions, this is practically the norm. The menu includes both classics, such as Eggs Benedict, avocado toast, as well as interpretations of Serbian culinary staples – burek, local cheese and spreads. We must laud the quality of the coffee, the freshly-squeezed orange juice, as well as the ajvar that exceeds expectations.

The dishes we savoured were visually perfected, with attention to detail in terms of service and presentation. Just a glance at the French pastry is enough to see the high level of their patisserie. This part of the offering is phenomenal and has immense potential. Alas, we did not try the a la carte restaurant during our visit.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

The hotel pleasantly surprised us by upgrading us to the Junior Suite – a spacious room that functions as an elegant city apartment with 62 square metres. It comes with a spacious living room, an imposing bathroom and a wide entrance with a built-in wardrobe that oozes the feeling of being in a private apartment.

The walls are adorned with wallpaper in gentle beige hues that subtly match the dark-brown colours of the flooring. A spacious closet is an important aesthetic and functional element of the room that doubles as a central counterop. We were also impressed by the spacious couch in warm beige colour that beckons guests to relax. Even though the air conditioning functions flawlessly, we had hoped we could open the window and fill the room with fresh air.

The centrepiece of the bedroom is a massive bed with an opulent, ceiling-high curved headboard in a glossy white colour. It matches seamlessly with the integrated nightstand and textile materials. The bed offers outstanding comfort, as befits a five-star hotel. Designer furniture pieces, including the different lamps on each side of the bed and the radio on the nightstand, are full of subtle details. Art graphics with motifs of Belgrade leave a lasting impression. The incredibly spacious bathroom includes a separate shower and bathtub. It is kitted out with St. Regis’ signature cosmetics from luxury Japanese-inspired brands Sachajuan and Sodashi. The view of the Sava River in the evening, illuminated by the colours of the setting sun, is undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of staying here.

Meetings centre

The queen of the meetings offering is the banquet hall, Astor Ballroom. With a ceiling height of eight metres, brightness and spaciousness, it stands out from the average hotel hall in Belgrade. Its main advantage is that it can host up to 240 guests in a banquet setting. The Astor Ballroom is complemented by four smaller halls on the second floor that can be reached via a scenic spiral staircase that matches the hotel’s architecture. The largest among the four halls can host up to 50 attendees. Event organisers need not worry about catering here – there is a charming open kitchen, perfect for serving coffee breaks and snacks. Altogether, St. Regis has one of the most competitive hotel conference centres in Belgrade for smaller to mid-sized events.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

DESSERT – The extras

There is a wellness oasis hidden on the second floor, comprising an indoor pool, saunas, a massage area and fitness with the latest equipment. The spa centre features a minimalist yet warm design that combines natural materials, dimmed lighting and calming music. The atmosphere is almost therapeutic.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

The hotel hardly has any drawbacks. We are only somewhat sceptical about the breakfast served only à la carte. Although the service and quality of dishes in St. Regis meet the highest level, the combination of buffet and à la carte would likely offer more opportunities to present local cuisine.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The staff is one of the hotel’s greatest assets. Unlike at many other destinations, the personnel are predominantly local. Their authenticity, professionalism and unfaked hospitality make guests feel welcome. Every guest is greeted with care, warmth and attention to detail. Here, guests know they are welcome.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

St. Regis Belgrade is still adopting sustainable practices, yet the foundations are exemplary. The shampoo comes in elegant refill packaging, and there is no sign of plastic, while glass water bottles and vanity kits in recycled paper are the standard here. We must praise the hotel for giving room to local artists, which is, in itself, a regenerative endeavour. The hotel is not promoting its sustainable aspirations; however, considering the standard of the St. Regis brand, we can expect that they will take a step forward and make a sustainability pledge.

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

Every new luxury hotel that opens in the Serbian capital seems to raise the bar even higher. We can only imagine what will happen once the city welcomes hotel chains like Intercontinental, Kempinski or Marriott’s Ritz-Carlton. Already now, Belgrade is at the forefront of the region in terms of city hotels. For event organisers, this hotel is a welcome and quality addition to the Belgrade hospitality landscape. When choosing luxury hotels in this city, options are abundant, depending on your taste and price range. Yet, do not expect Belgrade to be incredibly affordable. The prices at St. Regis easily compare to lavish hotels in Vienna and Budapest. But the value justifies the price, as does the charming ambience where you, your brand and your attendees will feel welcome. We believe Marriott’s luxury brand in Belgrade will not disappoint you if you host your event here (as long as it is within your budget).

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Photo: St. Regis Belgrade

FINAL GRADE: 4.97 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

CATEGORY 5*****
OPEN FROM November 2024
MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel
STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities
NUMBER OF ROOMS 119 rooms and suites
MEETING ROOMS8 meeting rooms
TOTAL EVENT SPACE1,279 square metres
MAX. CAPACITY THEATRE350 attendees
INTERNET PRICE440 – 1925 EUR (single use) / Booking, July 2025
ADDRESSSt. Regis Belgrade
Nikolaja Kravcova 1a
Belgrade, Serbia

T:  +381 64 6666 061
E: sr.begxr.bsd@stregis.com

W: www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/begxr-the-st-regis-belgrade/
FACILITIESSavant Brasserie
The St. Regis Bar
Butler Service
The St. Regis SPA
Fitness Studio
Indoor Pool
Concierge & Parking
SPECIALS The hotel’s Rise Patisserie offers a modern take on French pastry art in an elegant ambience overlooking the fast-growing Belgrade Waterfront. Handcrafted desserts, delectable coffee, aromatic teas and personalised service offer a boutique experience curated for lovers of timeless aesthetics and those with a sweet tooth.
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Photo: Marriott
RESULTS MARKS
1. LOCATION 5.00
2. ACCESSIBILITY 4.97
3. FIRST IMPRESSION4.98
4. LOBBY4.95
5.  EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE5.00
6.  RECEPTION 5.00
7.  HOTEL ROOM 4.99
8.  HOTEL BED 5.00
9. BATHROOM AND RESTROOM4.98
10. HOTEL BREAKFAST 4.92
11. BARS AND RESTAURANTS 4.94
12. CONGRESS HALL 4.98
13. ADDITIONAL OFFER  4.96
TOTAL:   4.97

IMPORTANT: If you wish to know what the evaluation of 654 criteria entails and would like our hidden guest to evaluate your hotel, read more at www.meetings-star.eu or send an email to gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu.

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