HIDDEN GUEST: Amadria Park Hotel Capital

FROM A BANK TO A HOTEL

LOCATION

Amadria Park Hotel Central is only a stone’s throw away from Ban Jelačić Square. This area of the Croatian capital is a tourist triangle, home to all the main sights, restaurants and bustling nightlife. Among elderly Zagreb dwellers, this hotel is famed as a former bank. Urban legend says many former clients still waltz through the door seeking a bank clerk. The building, erected in 1923, was a subsidiary of the Austrian bank Wiener Bank-Verein. The architecture of the Zagreb outpost was the brainchild of renowned Vienesse architects Ernst Gotthilf and Alexander Neumann, who created an unusual, eclectic blend of Art Déco and Secession architecture. The hotel leaned into the Art Noveau elements for its new visual identity. Ask any local about the former bank, and they will direct you to this monumental, iconic edifice in Zagreb.

ACCESSIBILITY

The hotel is 450 metres from Ban Jelačić Square, the unofficial heart of the Croatian capital. The location is delightful if you are an active guest keen on exploring a city by cycling or walking through the streets. If, however, you come to the hotel by car, the location comes with a price. Although the hotel has an underground parking garage, it only has 72 parking spots. You can resort to the nearby garage houses if the hotel garage is full. Parking will cost you between 26 and 35 euros per night. Legendary blue trams whizz by the hotel, inviting guests to discover the city by public transport. In recent years, public transport has become increasingly smooth and user-friendly. Generally, Zagreb does not experience gridlock, except for the occasional traffic jam in the afternoon. Taxis abound, meaning you can easily hail a Bolt or Uber like in other metropolises. We must praise the superb air accessibility, evolving Zagreb into a regional air hub.

COLD STARTER – Architecture and aesthetics

Ernst Gotthilf and Alexander Neumann were Viennese architects active at the turn of the 20th century. Their work was imbued with influences of historicism and Secession, which led to the creation of a slew of instantly recognisable buildings that housed banks or businesses. The building in Zagreb is a typical example of their architecture. Can you imagine a bank operated here until 2015? As the investors renovated the former bank, transforming it into a hotel, they aimed to preserve as many original pieces as possible. These details caught our eye as they embody the soul of the hotel. Perhaps the greatest challenge of the renovation was to change the formal, monumental and cavernous feel of the former bank. We have to congratulate the investors for creating pleasant, warm and inviting spaces that remind guests of their living room, as one guest remarked during breakfast. Upon visiting the hotel, do not overlook the Capital Club next to the former vault. This unique room is a nod to the history of the edifice, appearing both monumental and eclectic at the same time.

WARM ENTRÉE – The staff and the culinary experience

Hope for the hospitality industry remains as long as there are kind receptionists such as Luka in Amadria Park Hotel Capital. Luka was incredibly professional and courteous, willing to go the extra mile for every guest. He even put on the hat of a temporary concierge who helped us in our unusual quest to find an obscure Zagreb bookstore. This excellent first impression stayed with us for days. Both waiters in the restaurant replicated Luka’s professionalism while presenting the gastronomy, which was, unfortunately, inconsistent. The commendable part of the culinary story is the art deco bar adjoining the restaurant, while the classic array of dishes on the restaurant’s menu was below average. Although everything tasted fine, the hotel should serve seasonal dishes (the salads were the first sign of their disregard for seasonality). We also hoped they would incorporate more local ingredients and products besides the Amadria olive oil. We have to praise the maintenance of the hotel, which was on a high level and the a-la-carte offer of breakfast dishes. The breakfast was mouthwatering, with proper espresso, freshly squizzed orange juice and a handpicked selection of Croatian cheese. Amadria knows less is more, as evidenced by their fantastic breakfast, which we consider one of the best in Zagreb hotels. Still, the gastronomy has room for improvement. Event organisers should take notice of the café, which can accommodate 70 guests and serves excellent coffee, tea and cocktails.

MAIN COURSE – The meetings offering at the hotel

Hotel rooms

The room we stayed in on the sixth floor felt like a time machine, a space where time stopped in 1923 when the bank opened its doors. A retro bed with an imposing headboard proved to be fantastic. On top of that, the bed matched seamlessly with the colours and patterns of the wallpaper, which reminded us of the colours that once dominated hotels. The furniture included luxurious illumination with intriguing Art Nouveau details. As apt for a room that aims to capture the charm of a bygone era, the flooring was herringbone parquet from beech. We were equally impressed by the fabulous bathroom, where everything worked flawlessly (the faucets). The tiny graphic artwork hanging on the bathroom walls added a touch of luxury. Similarly, the black-and-white tiles imbued the space with elegance. We only wished the room had a more spacious working desk. Still, the hotel boasts other room types where workspace abounds.

Meetings centre

Abutting the former bank vault, Capital Club is the hotel’s most desired and exclusive event space. Its maximum capacity is 25 attendees. Event organisers can also rekindle the spirit of the former bank in the VIP business saloon, which can seat up to 40 participants. It is located on the second floor of the hotel. The restaurant and café are superb choices for events, too. The café, covering 151 square metres, can accommodate 110 attendees. This unique venue is incredibly popular among event organisers, but be sure to book it months in advance.

DESSERT – The extras

What caught our eye were the countless details that have been restored or reinterpreted. In our humble opinion, they help the hotel edge out similar historical hotels. Among the details, do not overlook the antique clocks that have been here for a century and still work like brand new.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

Dear colleagues from Amadria, the retro information maps should be consigned to the past millennia, especially if they convey useless content. We hope the hotel digitises its offering and provides a QR code or another modern technological invention instead of an info map.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Capital Café is a Viennese café with a distinct Zagreb charm. It functions as a time machine, not only a meeting space. We warmly recommend visiting, as you might be so convinced you will host your next event there.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

Shampoo and soap dispensers have become standard in the hospitality industry. There is no excuse for having plastic shampoo and soap bottles. The slogans urging guests to save water almost felt like greenwashing. For starters, the hotel should measure its carbon footprint and aim to acquire certificates in sustainability.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY

With its lofty, monumental architecture, the hotel does not evoke words of admiration from guests and passers-by until they set foot into the building and enter a time machine with countless details from a bygone era. The old-school staff leaves a memorable first and last impression. Isn’t that the essence of hospitality? Their approach renders this hotel one of the best in Zagreb. Of course, some elements could be avoided or improved, such as the fake greenery in the restaurant, the obsolete information map or the menu in the restaurant. Yet, these facts do not influence the generally superb impression.

The hotel’s trump card is its versatility of rooms and suites that stand out from the average hotel. The quality materials on display, particularly the rooms on the second floor, will undoubtedly convince you. If you seek a hotel for a boutique event for demanding clients, Capital Café is an excellent choice. For executive events, look no further than the Capital Club. What makes this hotel an obvious choice is its outstanding location. This is as close to the centre as you can find a hotel of this calibre.

FINAL GRADE: 4.90 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

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.