"Five-Star History" exhibition opened - Will Metropol hotel get its old glory back?

Metropol hotel (Photo: Metropol)

It is said that every citizen of Belgrade has, at least once, been at a wedding in Metropol hotel. This hotel has also hosted numerous prom nights to remember. During the 1960s and the 1970s, it was the first stop for Belgrade ladies after a shopping in Italy or Austria. Also, as a rule, all good cars were first parked in Metropol`s parking lot.

Aside from city dudes and stunning beauties, some of the world`s top celebrities were frequent guests of this hotel. In Metropol, revolutionary Che Guevara could meet theater artists Julian Beck and Judith Malina, famous actors Sofia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Robert de Niro were learning their lines, while director Hitchcock broke his diet when celebrating the success of his new movie.

These are only some of the details from the Guest Book of the hotel with a rich half-a century-long history recorded in the monograph "Five Star History."

The publishing of this monograph is accompanied by a namesake exhibition in the hotel hall. Carefully selected photos of the hotel, personnel and guests tell the story of Metropol as a lifestyle it once was, and now its current owner Kokari Limited wants to restore that old spirit.

After a long reconstruction, the hotel Metropol Palace has again opened its door to guests. Architect Miodrag Trpkovic, author of the hotel adaptation project, says that the task entrusted to him was extremely difficult and challenging.

- Devastated and outdated, after partial adaptations, the hotel required a serious reconstruction in order to regain and justify the title of the most famous hotel in former Yugoslavia and a symbol of the City of Belgrade. Every reconstruction project is difficult, and the reconstruction of a protected heritage site is even more difficult. There is now a garage for 90 cars beneath the entrance square, two new floors are built on the park side, and everything is done using natural materials. The hotel amenities have been changed and improved, while the facade is carefully reconstructed - Trpkovic said and announced that the hotel would soon be completely finished.

The interior of the newly opened hotel Metropol Palace is designed by London-based MKV Design, which specializes in luxury interior design.

Talking about her engagement in the Metropol Palace project, Maria Vafiadis, founder of MKV Design, pointed out that the hotel had offered them a unique combination of elements providing them with inspiration.

As it was explained at the exhibition, Metropol Palace has joined the international hospitality chain Starwood and the hotel group Luxury Collection. Starwood operates 1,076 hotels with about 315,000 rooms in more than 100 countries worldwide. Luxury Collection is a hotel brand gathering unique hotels, with a special history and tradition, situated in the most beautiful locations around the world.

The exhibition will be open to visitors every day until November 1st, between 9 AM and 9 PM.

M.K.