HIDDEN GUEST: Crowne Plaza Belgrade

Belgrade’s largest conference hotel was erected in 1979 as part of the Sava Centar complex. It welcomed guests as the first Intercontinental Hotel in the former Yugoslavia. After 2007, it lost its licence until it was given a new lease of life as the Crowne Plaza. Its location, abutting the Sava Centre, was a strategic move ahead of its time.

Still today, the hotel is a best practice case of functionality and top-tier urban planning in the events industry.

The holistic reopening and franchising under the Crowne Plaza brand returned the lost lustre to the so-called Belgrade Conference Valley, especially after a comprehensive renovation, completed in autumn 2023. Delta Holding Group has mastered the events business. Unsurprisingly, they will crown this conference miniworld with a novel five-star Intercontinental Hotel. This addition will be the crowning achievement of the event hub, which will transform into a self-sufficient ecosystem catering to most of Belgrade’s events industry. An additional advantage of the complex is its vast, lush surface for recreation in the immediate vicinity. Avid shop-goers can venture to two of Belgrade’s most prestigious shopping centres on both banks of the Sava River. Few hotels in the region, and indeed the world, can take pride in such an event hub, where event tourism, the hospitality industry, and urban offerings converge. Here, guests can find a bit of everything – from leading events, relaxation and recreation options to a prestigious shopping experience. Phenomenal!

The proverbial traffic rush in Belgrade is not fiction, but a fact that event organisers need to take into account.

Hotel Crowne Plaza is set in the heart of New Belgrade’s event centre. It offers superb accessibility, just ten minutes away from the Nikola Tesla International Airport. International guests often laud the simple access from the airport to the hotel. By the way, Belgrade Airport’s accessibility is among the leading in the former Yugoslavia.
A slew of offices are located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. A spacious and tidy outdoor parking is perfect for guests arriving by car. Thanks to its size, the hotel can accommodate all attendees, regardless of the event size. Access by car, taxi, or public transport is swift and undemanding, while the location beckons guests to walk to the Sava Centre and other key landmarks in New Belgrade. The proverbial traffic rush in Belgrade is not fiction, but a fact that event organisers need to take into account.

The hotel underwent a thorough renovation that reinvigorated its charm and refined its offerings. Moreover, it imbued the property with modern elegance. Its striking, polished glass facade turns heads, especially after the renovation of the neighbouring Sava Centre. The largest regional conference centre lives in symbiosis with the iconic hotel. One could say that the original design was timeless; only the exterior needed a stylistic revamp. It is no wonder that the legendary architect Stojan Maksimović won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize (the Oscars of architecture) for his work.

At Crowne Plaza, the architecture is not only a frame, but part of the hotel’s story.

Crowne Plaza edges out its city competitors with its thoughtful layout of spaces and halls. This is its trump card: spaciousness and open design that allow guests to stroll the hotel areas with ease. The same can be said of the Sava Centre. The revamped interior, featuring the lobby as the central venue, is especially charming. We were most impressed by the dynamic composition, pure lines, and nearly timeless minimalism that exudes a sense of calmness, yet vibrant energy at the same time. Each element was carefully chosen to elevate the visual appearance. At Crowne Plaza, the architecture is not only a frame, but part of the hotel’s story.

It is difficult to find a member of staff in the hotel who would not be polite, professional, and benevolent. Barring exceptions, the vast majority of the team is incredibly positive and welcoming, which we experienced on our second visit. The gastronomy elevates the entire experience. The breakfast is diverse and rich. Guests will surely find something to their taste, from fresh omelettes to sushi and local specialities. The ground-floor Prime Restaurant is superb. It is famed for its modern interpretation of Serbian cuisine and international influences. The famous “prime pljeskavica” is so popular that event attendees from the neighbouring Sava Centre flock here. We were equally impressed by their selection of wines, focused on young Serbian wine brands that boldly counter the classic European winemakers.

The conference centre offers in-house catering, curated by a 50-strong team who prepare everything from simple coffee breaks to gala dinners. The service is satisfactory, but we had hoped for more finesse. A drawback is the smoke-endorsing restaurant and bar, where the thick smoke lingers in the room, seemingly forever. Foreign guests are often taken aback by the fact that there is no ban on smoking indoors in Serbia. Nonetheless, Crowne Plaza Belgrade’s gastronomy combines excellent staff, cuisine, and local wines, raising standards and serving as a solid hotel choice.
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Hotel rooms

The rooms at the Crowne Plaza Belgrade are well-maintained, fresh, and exude refined elegance typical of the hotel chain. The standard room stretches a solid 24 square metres and is sound-isolated, designed to offer all the amenities a business guest could wish for, if combining effective work and relaxation. These amenities include an ergonomic work desk, a reliable wireless connection, soft bed linen, and a pillow menu. A bright bathroom with carefully selected details does not stand out like a sore thumb, but fosters a homely effect. Time has shown that the wooden flooring was well-made, just like the designer pieces of furniture that still appear modern today.

Crowne Plaza Belgrade does not bet on extravagance, but builds its identity through discreet functionality. It offers a safe haven for travellers – something any business guest wants at the end of the day. The hotel has been doubling down on connectivity: the Wi-Fi is stable, quick, and reliable, allowing everyone to work uninterrupted, make video calls, and stream content without any interruptions.

Meetings centre

The hotel offers 12 meeting halls spanning 1,650 square metres, which create an exceptional environment for any type of event, from intimate meetings and workshops to large-scale conferences and gala dinners. The centrepiece of the hotel is the central event hall, offering a capacity of up to 800 attendees, rendering it one of the largest hotel conference halls in Belgrade. It is fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Its layout enables event organisers to connect it with various meeting halls, giving them complete freedom in crafting unique experiences for attendees.

One of the hotel’s competitive advantages is its direct connection to the revamped Sava Centre, the largest cultural and congress centre in the region.

This synergy results in events on two levels: in the hotel, exuding prestige and intimacy, and the Sava Centre, famed for its monumental capacities. Crowne Plaza’s unusual combination makes it a leader among event hotels in Southeast Europe.

DESSERT – The extras

The hotel’s trump card is the spacious wellness oasis, replete with a pool, saunas, and a well-equipped fitness centre, as well as the pleasant Novi Bar, where guests can conclude the day with a glass of wine or a signature cocktail. The attention to detail is what makes the bar stand out, from the airport shuttle to the fast and effective organisation of additional services.
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FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

Although Crowne Plaza Belgrade has become almost synonymous with a holistic event package, there is still some controversy. Smoking in bars and restaurants is often unpleasant for foreign guests, even though it is legally permitted by Serbian law. The loud music echoing from the outdoor bar in the wee hours can disturb the sleep of guests and ruin the overall excellent experience.
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TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

The greatest positive surprise we must highlight again is the endless possibilities for combining the hotel’s conference spaces with the adjacent Sava Centre. This partnership offers unique flexibility, from intimate business meetings in the hotel to spectacular congresses and concerts in the largest regional event hub. In the opinion of many, this is Crowne Plaza’s true ace, unmatched in the region.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Crowne Plaza Belgrade has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by acquiring the prestigious Green Key certificate, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The certificate, issued by the Green Key International in July 2024 in partnership with FEE Serbia, is valid until June 2025 and represents one of the most recognisable global marks of quality in sustainable tourism.
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Hotels that obtain the certificate must provide evidence that they are actively reducing their environmental impact – using energy and water responsibly, reducing waste, and encouraging sustainable modes of transport. In addition, the hotel must demonstrate that it helped spread awareness among its guests and employees and partnered in activities with the local community. Event organisers who want to organise their events here can rest assured that their events and programmes in Belgrade will be executed in accordance with the most rigorous international sustainability standards.

This part of Belgrade is unrecognisable since our last visit. Only Crowne Plaza’s name, standing proudly, imposingly, almost self-importantly, attests to the fact that this hotel is part of a unique symbiosis with the Sava Centre. Much like the neighbouring conference centre, Crowne Plaza takes pride in the achievements of the Delta Group. Soon, the group’s portfolio will be enriched by the Intercontinental Belgrade. With this addition, Delta Group is poised to become the most comprehensive conference venue provider in the Balkans.

Yet, the question remains if this will be enough to convince demanding international clients. The brand’s vision should be realised through services and quality experiences. Some cracks are starting to appear in this segment, leaving the brand room for improvement. The price is no longer a competitive advantage. Today, guests want to know what value they get for the price. And, it seems Belgrade’s prices are starting to skyrocket. The Serbian capital can be an expensive destination, so it must justify its prices with superb quality.

While size is undoubtedly its forte, the hotel is most proud of its functional event halls, professional staff, and creating bespoke, holistic experiences.

Crowne Plaza Belgrade remains a fierce competitor, but should aim to refresh its offering. We have no doubt the management will soon schedule a revamp. The core promise of the hotel remains the same: while size is undoubtedly its forte, the hotel is most proud of its functional event halls, professional staff, and creating bespoke, holistic experiences for guests and event organisers alike.

FINAL GRADE: 4.87 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:1979, renovated in 2013
MEETINGS STAR: City Meeting Hotel
STANDARD: Congress Hotel
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 416 hotel rooms (33 suites and 377 rooms)
MEETING ROOMS: 12 meeting rooms
TOTAL EVENT SPACE: 1,600 square metres and 286 square metres of exhibition area
MAX. CAPACITY THEATRE: 800 attendees (760 square metres)
INTERNET PRICE: 175 – 325 EUR (single use) / Booking, July 2025
ADDRESS: Crowne Plaza Belgrade
Vladimira Popovica 10
Belgrade, Serbia
T: +381 1 2204 115
E: begcp.reservations@ihg.com
W: www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/belgrade/

FACILITIES
Prime Restaurant
Novi Bar & Lounge
Lobby bar
Fitness Centre
The Saruna Spa

SPECIALS: The hotel’s symbiosis with the Sava Centre is ideal for event organisers. The hotel and conference centre were created with a clear purpose: to facilitate the work of event organisers and improve the attendee experience. Besides the practical benefits, the connection with the iconic conference centre is a step towards improving sustainability practices.