Combination of impressionism and Serbian tradition - Luxury suites at Crown Rezime hotel in Knez Mihailova street

Those who want an authentic experience of Serbian tradition, European impressionism, contemporary design, a room with the view of Knez Mihailova street, can look for accommodation at the exclusive hotel Crown Rezime, which has been successfully operating in the very center of Belgrade for three years now.

The first hotel ever opened in the main tourist street of the capital city also had "crown" in its name. It was Srpska Kruna (Serbian Crown) hotel, built in 1869 in the current location of the Belgrade City Library.

The name of that hotel was an inspiration for naming the new hotel, which is situated at the corner of streets Knez Mihailova and Djure Jaksica.

- I've also decided to give this name to the hotel because it represents the crown of everything I have ever done in 37 years in business – Bata Hreljac, the owner of Crown Rezime hotel, says at the beginning of the interview for eKapija.

Mr. Hreljac says that the "philosophy" of that hotel is that a guest feels at home.

- We want this hotel to be our guests' "home away from home". The hotel has a small number of rooms, but they are very spacious.

(Bata Hreljac)

Crown Rezime comprises 10 suites, ranging in size between 60 and 100 square meters. The person responsible for the look of suites is the hotel owner.

- I put 100 percent of myself into the business and I have always done that. It is important to me how people feel so that I've designed the interior by myself. The specific characteristic of the hotel is full connection with art. It was first connected with painting and now we focus on art crafts. Each suite is named after a painter - Van Gogh, Klimt, Monet - and the copies of their paintings are hanged on the walls of these suites. It happens that a guest finds it difficult to stay in another suite if the one he or she got used to is occupied – says Mr. Hreljac.

The most beautiful comment on the hotel was given by the Loreal Director for Eastern Europe during her stay in the room with Klimt's paintings: "This has been made by a man who loves us".

Crown Rezime is a high-class residence, but Hreljac says that clients experience it as a five-star hotel.

- It often happens that a guest experiences something worth 10 stars in a hotel with three stars. The quality of our rooms, offer and services compensate for the lack of stars. Our opinion is that a client should get more than expected for the money paid. That is the recipe for success. Prices at Crown Rezime range between 90 and 150 euros.

Mr. Hreljac points out that 95% of hotel guests are regular clients and that they are mainly from abroad.

- I am satisfied with the results achieved in 2010. This is the business that primarily depends on us and not on external factors. Our guests are foreigners, while our clients are: the U.S. Embassy, Canadian Embassy, Fiat, Loreal, and other companies.

The guests of Crown Rezime can also use the services of a driver who wait for them at the airport and drives them to meetings, as well as the services of guides whose task is to tell them about famous places in Belgrade, recommend restaurants, stores, etc.

The building in which Crown Rezime is situated was built 100 years ago by Nikola Spasic, a famous merchant from Belgrade.

- I have been hearing all my business life that the location is important, but I find the idea, that is, the vision of what a man wants to do, more important. This building was earlier intended for businessmen to meet each other and make a contact with foreigners in this location. That is also my idea today.

Rezime Art Fondacija established the Craftsmen Center on January 27 and settled it in the cellar of the building with the aim of preserving and promoting craft production and creating the possibility that craftsmen from all over Serbia present their products in the heart of Belgrade.

Bata Hreljac, the founder of aforementioned foundation, announces that the crafts of Canada will be presented in the premises of the Center in one month. Also, organization of art craft workshops is in the pipeline. In that way, visitors will be able to get familiar with the process of creation of traditional handicrafts on the spot and the current surface of premises, spanning 250 square meters, will be doubled.

- We offer an authentic story of Serbia all around the hotel and that is something you can't get anywhere else. People who maybe don't have a time to visit galleries and museums, especially in Serbia, learn about our tradition through our interior.

The hotel owner says that, in addition to its exterior, the building also had to keep many interior features because the facility, just like the whole Knez Mihailova street, is protected by law as one of the oldest and the most valuable city monuments.

- We hope that we will be able to renovate the entrance, which is in the same condition for over 50 years and needs to be refurbished.

Rezime Residence and Rezime Diamond

The first Rezime hotel was opened seven years ago in Marsala Birjuzova street, followed by Rezime Diamond in Rajiceva street. The concept of suites at these hotels is similar to the one at Crown Rezime, while prices are 20-30% lower.

S.O.