THE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES IN BELGRADE

Belgrade is a respectable tourist destination

Belgrade is visiting by many tourist and visitors. In 2014, 1,200,000 tourists both foreign and domestic visited the capital of Serbia and this year that number will be higher. Traditionally Serbia and Belgrade mostly are visited by Slovenians, Croatian, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Arab countries. There are plenty of reasons to visit Belgrade, from sightseeing and enjoying in excellent food and drink, great fun, and so on.

Tourist workers have to find adequate accommodation for these visitors. What can Belgrade offers?

The accommodation facilities in Belgrade

The accommodation capacity of the city of Belgrade consist of a number of

• hotels,
• hostels,
• private apartments
• camps

Private apartments

The huge popularity in recent times has private apartments. According to the data of Tourist Organization of Belgrade, the city has about 500 apartments for a short or long vacation, but this figure is difficult to verify, probably there are more. They can be rented for a longer and a shorter period. They are comfortable and tastefully furnished apartments who offered all possible comfort and peace. The good thing is that guest can avoid crowds in the hostels and hotels, and the time of renting is very flexible, from several hours to several days. Private apartments are cheaper, offers better comfort, safety and intimacy; guest should feel as they are at home. They can cook, wash their clothes, they can chose location, (private apartments are situated all over the city) and save money for transportation cost. Booking and payments can be made on-line.

Hotels

According to the latest data of the Tourist Organization, in Belgrade  exist around 61 hotels. Hotels a ranged by categories, from 1 up to 5 stars. Some will think that it is more than sufficient, but experts in the field believe that there is room for more. In particular, there is a lack of luxury hotels with more stars. In recent years are build a few luxury hotels like Crowne Plaza, Falkensteiner, Hotel Allure Caramel, Hotel Atera, Radison Blu hotel Holidey Inn, Zepter Apart Hotel. Those hotels poses a high level of standards and luxury for visitors.

Hostels

Those with little less deep pocket have access to hostels. There are around 90 hostels but opens new almost every week. Hostels are less comfortable and less luxurious, but they are cheaper. Hostels are visited by young backpacker who travels and explore new places, students, visitors of concerts and other cultural events. They can sleep for just 5 euro’s, rest a little and continue their trip. Also a lot of new friendship can be made on this places.

Hostel room - Belgrade

Camps

Belgrade does not have enough camps that the city of this size should have. The reason for this is weak domestic demand, foreigners who are most used to camps, can not fulfill capacities that are considered sufficient to make it operate with a profit.

What to expect in the future?

Interest in Belgrade as a tourist destination is expected to grows each year so that these capacities for accommodation that we mentioned will certainly not be sufficient, so that the growing need require new investments to new facilities for all categories. Because of its advantages, as well as the significantly lower required investments, we expect that private apartments will grow with the biggest rate and success.

What is Airbnb?

INTRODUCTION

Airbnb (Air, Bed & Breakfast) is a portal or online platform,  which connects owners of some property which they want to rent, and people who are looking place for stay. In other words, Airbnb connects people who are searching for accommodation and people who want to rent to these strangers  their spare living spaces for some amount of money.

Airbnb is not for hotels, hostels or other commercial companies, but for private apartments for short or longer stay or single rooms, houses, boats, yachts, the offer is so wide that goes from castle to the ordinary couch. This is a very efficient way to rent the apartments for a longer or shorter period, both in major cities and in smaller popular seasonal destinations. Rental period goes from one, two evenings, weekends or for several days, to a whole year.

Usually owners rent their flat when goes to trip, or if there is a surplus of rooms but lack of money, some even bought the apartment for renting on this service.

BEGINNINGS

The idea comes from Brian Chesky and his two friends Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk from San Fnraciska, who sought a way to rent their apartments when they are absent. They came to idea to create, then a small website, - Airbnb. The beginnings were very modest, but the idea was brilliant. Today Airbnb exists in 35,000 cities in 192 countries and has 350,000 renters and they are now billionaires.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Registration on Airbnb-in is completely free and everybody can do that. Potential client should make profile that with personal information, as well as the photo, very similar to profile on Facebook.

Owners make their own profil that contains a textual description and image of apartment. in the ad is integrated location on Google Map and Google Street View. In addition there are added ratings and reviews of those who had previously stayed on that place. This is very important because the comment and rate are the best and most relevant information. There are pictures of the owner, his contact details and all information related to this flat.

The apartments can be searched by several parameters:

• type of property - apartments, rooms, houses and so on.
• housekeeper info
• location
• capacity of apartments, ie how many guests can be stayed
• by date of check in and check out,
• at the range of prices,
• by equipment of object (furniture, internet, TV, etc.).

After these steps, client sends the request and when the owner confirms the reservation, desired space is booked after potential guest pay to Airbnb via the Internet, payment card or through PayPal. Airbnb keeps the money until the moment when the guest appears. In this way, owner is safe if the client cancels reservation, and customer is assured in case accommodation is not as described. If the customer does not appear, the money will still be removed from his account (or some percent), and the right of return is possible only if cancellation is made on time. Service of Airbnb is 10 percent of each transaction. You can book you apartment by yourself in direct contact with owner, but then you are at risk to lose security that Airbnb.

BENEFITS

For owners:

• Economic gains. This is good opportunity to earn some money. Instead you whirring empty apartment or house so you can publish them and add to your budget.
• Chance to introduce other people and cultures. This is a good chance to meet people from all over the world, which you will never meet in everyday’s life. Some people like to socialize and offer their hospitality to people from distant and unknown countries just to introduce new experiences

For guests

• Lower prices in most cases cheaper than in classic hotels and other facilities
• Better location hotels are located in tourist areas, which are more distant from the places worth for visiting. To introduce some place sometimes is better to be placed somewhere closed to the locals, not tourists,
• Friendships’ with the owners - this is priceless. The hosts are "ordinary people", they usually do not approach to visitors cold and professional, but are willing to share with their guests local places and experiences.
• flexibility of booking - sometimes hotels are too bulky, with all these reservations, "bookings", and all hierarchy. If you make reservation via Airbnb's you will be spare of abusing and complications because everything can be done over internet.

DISADVANTAGES

• Safety and Security. Inconveniences are certainly possible. Each owner and guest must have their own profile on Airbnb just for security reasons. Care is necessary on both sides, it is recommended to read comments and ratings. Some of the guests steala or damage belongings in apartment. Airbnb can not completely guarantee that this cannot happen.
• Untrue description of property As with any ad, it does not take for granted.  
• Competition. Hotels and other establishments are sensitive to Airbnb, and are actively lobbying to limit its operations.
• Country - direct transactions between private individuals involves bypassing tourist taxes and the state does not like to be excluded from the market and to remain free of its cakes, so that in some states passed laws to restrict  Airbnb business.

AIRBNB IN SERBIA

In Serbia, there are plenty of individuals who have empty houses, flats and apartments that can be rented and brings some profit to owners. Most of them are in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kopaonik, Zlatibor and other places. Airbnb is present but not on at such a level as in others countries. There are local portals that have been working for a long time, they have enviable reputation and they are very strong competition which can not be easily denied. 

Private apartments or hotels/hostels - advantages and disadvantages

Apartments for longer and shorter stay became very popular form of accommodation in recent years. Although they are strong competition to classical facilities like hotels and hostels, still do not lose their role in the world of tourism. What should we expect from this kind of accommodation and what is different from hotels and hostels?

ADVANTAGES

Privacy and Anonymity

Private apartments guarantee peace, privacy and anonymity for their guests. Hotels and hostels are busy places with constant murmurs, talks and noise. Sometimes it is very hard to have peace and rest if you stay in hostels full with young people, students, or excursions looking for a good time and party. No one will restricted or legitimize guests in private apartments, as long as they respect house rules.

Services

Services that are offered in the hotel (gym, car wash, beauty treatments and restaurants) can be find cheaper and even on some cases with higher quality in the city of stay. Especially this is the case with local restaurants and bars. Owners of the apartments usually give valuable advises to their guest where to find good restaurant in the neighborhood. If the guests want to cook their own food, and that is very hard to do in hotels. Apartments usually are equipped with all kitchen appliances and visitors can prepare food tastier and cheaper. In hotels meals are served during fixed hours, but in the apartments for short stay guest have flexibility to eat when they wanted, even in 3 o’clock in the morning.

DISADVANTAGES

Reservations

The efficient reservation is one thing in the hotel we take for granted. Situation with smaller private apartments can be very tricky sometimes. Often is not possible to make early reservation weeks or months in advance. Owners avoid accepting reservations in advance for shorter stay, because they can lose some longer reservation.

Capacity

Bigger groups of visitors cannot find enough large apartments for more people. It is impossible for them to organize some business meetings or congresses in one single apartment and have to find 2, 3 or more apartments for entire group. Hotels have advantage because they have large number of identical rooms can accommodate big groups of visitors, fitness centers, swimming pools, saunas, restaurants, laundry, big congress rooms equipped with printers, scanners, copying machines and other office materials,  etc. Most of the apartments have telephone and internet connection, but rarely office space.

Services

In hotels, maids clean rooms and make beds every day, but apartments usually are cleaned once a week. Receptionists, waiters or house cleaners do not exist in the apartments. Some guests expects from their hosts to be all of this Private apartments offered Iron, hair dryer, clean sheets and towels, but shampoo, soaps, napkins are not included in offer. Also, level of hygiene is not uniform in all flats. In some is remarkable, but sometimes in others, it isn’t on high level.

Parking

Every respectable hotel has garage or parking places in their yards, often physically secured. Most of the apartments have limited capacities or do not have parking space at all. If parking space is available, the visitors have to pay extra fee. In Belgrade, it is strictly prohibited to park on public spaces, and police are very efficient in hauling out improper-parked vehicles.

On the end, everyone chooses what suits him most.

Hotels are good solution if visitors do not want to think about cooking, laundry or other everyday trifles. If they seek for quiet family atmosphere and want to experience the environment in a way that they do residents of Belgrade, private apartments can be significantly better option. And maybe most important fact is: apartments are lot cheaper.

The Best of Belgrade

Belgrade is a tourist destination, visited by increasing number of tourists every year. If you have decided to visit our capital and enjoy your stay, here's what you need to do to make your days spent in Belgrade remained in a good memory:

• find a place to stay

• get informed about transportation

• make a plan about things and destinations to visit

When it comes to accommodation, in Belgrade you can find a great number of apartments, hotels and hostels.

You can use public transportation, taxi, or rent a car. Car rental is probably the most optimal solution. Just make sure that your hotel room or apartment includes a parking lot.

What not to miss in Belgrade

It is not easy to give a concise answer to this question. What makes Belgrade widely known, certainly are: Kalemegdan Fortress, Knez Mihailova street and Skadarlija. But there is much more places, locations and attractions to see, to get a full impression of Belgrade and the people who live there.

Kalemegdan

Skadarlija

We would like to introduce you with some less known way to pass through Belgrade.

Belgrade walking tours. These are walking tours through Belgrade, a journey through space and time. Whether you choose to meet Sweet Belgrade, or decide to start Tesla's footsteps, you will hear and learn about Belgrade from a bit different perspective. The programs last about two or three hours.

Panoramic sightseeing of Belgrade. Another very popular way to get familiar with the city - an open tourist bus tour through Belgrade. During the tour, you can use an audio-guide in Serbian, English, Russian, French and German. This way you will learn a lot of relevant and interesting information about the places that you visited.

Belgrade underground. Did you know that Belgrade under Belgrade's hiding more than a hundred caves, tunnels, passages, which are related to various periods of its history? From the Romans, the Turks over to the Austro-Hungarians - all of them have left some trace. The tour is organized in Serbian and English language.

Belgrade from the rivers. A wonderful way to explore the city from this perspective. Look at Kalemegdan that will stay in my memory, as well as sailing under Belgrade bridges. You will see the place where the Sava joins the Danube. They say that at this point you should make a wish. Also, you can book cruises and tours that offer dinner on boat, and even to spend a night in luxurious cabins.

Jevremovac Botanical Garden. Another place to rest and relax in the center of the city. It spreads on over 5 hectares, and here you can find over 250 species of trees and over 750 species of plants, not just from this region. Ten years ago in, a Japanese garden was settled in a part of this complex. It is furnished and equipped in accordance with the Japanese culture and principles of design. For many tourists, it is the most beautiful and most romantic part of the complex.

Japanese garden

Planetarium. Astronomical Society "Rudjer Bošković" organizes screenings in the planetarium at Kalemegdan. The perfect way to get acquainted with the stars and constellations, the movement of the celestial sphere and other objects. You can see how the sky above the southern hemisphere looks like, and also the stars that we can never see. Screenings are held on Saturdays and they last about an hour.

Instead of conclusion

These are just some of the interesting places that you can visit in Belgrade. If you would like to feel the true spirit of this city, you need to visit its parks, markets, the surrounding holiday resorts... To go to the cinema or theater, visit the Book Fair, Beer Fest or Bemus. Whether you enjoy active holiday, or you need a few days of peace and relaxation, you can find a suitable place for yourself.

Belgrade city market

It is a city rich in culture and history, and has much more to offer. One thing is we know for sure - only one visit won't be enough.

Belgrade apartments for short term rent

Belgrade, one of the biggest cities on Balkans, represents, due to its geographical position, unavoidable destination. Number of foreign tourist, businessmen and other visitors coming to Belgrade is increased in past years. Reasons for visits are various, tourism, business, family visits, medical treatments etc. In order to make the best from their stay, it is crucial to obtain adequate accommodation in Belgrade.

For the accommodation of tourists in Belgrade there are numerous:

• hotels,
• hostels,
• apartments.

Nowadays, however, there is more popular alternative-apartments for short term rent called Daily Rentapartments. Service considers renting a fully equipped apartment for one day.

Most frequent costumers of the Daily Rent services

• The most frequent consumers of the Daily Rent services are guests coming to Belgrade for business. Regardless if they are coming from within the country or from abroad, they all need confortable accommodation. After hard working day, accommodation in Daily Rent is something that will provide full pleasure. Some companies are more in favour of providing for their staff level of comfort that is beyond the one provided by hotel accommodation. If people are visiting Belgrade for congress, fair, concert, sport manifestations, Daily Rent is a perfect solution.
• Daily Rent is service also used by those who are in transit through Serbia. If you arrived to Belgrade in late evening hours and your next flight is next day, you can find accommodation at New Belgrade. In situations like that one, location of the apartment is crucial in order to enable you to have time to rest well and continue your traveling totally refreshed.
• Young people from different places within Serbia are coming to Belgrade for passing the entrance exams for Universities or secondary schools. For those who cannot complete their tasks during the day, Daily Rent is best solution for spending the night in fabulous Belgrade. Comfort and peace, provided by the apartments, is also beneficial for students coming to Belgrade for passing the exams throughout the year.  It is also important to take in consideration the fact that price of renting the apartments is lower that price of rooms in hotels. Very often students are coming to Belgrade accompanied by parents, brothers, sisters, and in those situations this kind of accommodation is much better choice, not only price wise but also due to the comfort that it offers. 

If you are in need for short-time accommodation because of some medical examination that you can complete only in Belgrade, Daily Rent is the most convenient solution for you.

Having in mind that those situations are very stressful for both, patient and the whole family, in Daily Rent apartments you will find your peace and opportunity to relax.
You will be able to prepare your favorite meals, coffee, to have a good rest and it is much easier to find suitable location of the apartment than any other type of accommodation.

Belgrade is center of many events. People are visiting capital for a day or overnight for different occasions:

• Concerts of many world stars
• Cinema and Theatre premiers
• Book fairs, car shows, furniture fairs, etc.

How to attract guest to rent Daily rent apartments

If you are renting apartment using Daily Rent approach, try to offer something different than others.
The most important is that interior is clean, confortable, peaceful and providing warm atmosphere. Perhaps we can tolerate in our private apartment some dust but in Daily Rent apartments that is not acceptable. Hygiene is top priority for this type of apartments.
Fruit basket (or candy/chocolate box) as a sign of welcome will be always appreciated by the guests.
For the guests who are not arriving by their own transport, be ready to provide transport or at least recommendation for RENT-A-CAR or taxi services.
Consider providing some kind of gift for the guests, that they will take away and keep it as a memory for the stay in your accommodation.
Frequent guests could be offered discount in booking of the accommodation.

What you need to know before booking

If you are renting Daily Rent accommodation, you should have in mind that rent for one night only, is higher, so you should check the price before booking. Check the offer on the web sites of the agencies that are having in their offer Daily Rent services, read the comments of the guests, and that should provide you with useful guidelines on quality of the accommodation as well as make easier search for the most suitable one.

Conclusion

Daily Rent apartments in Belgradeare the most favourable type of accommodation. Renting apartments known as Daily Rent type service is recognised as:
high quality level of service,
professional attitude towards guests and
focusing that comfort, while you are staying in Belgrade, remain at the level of which you have at your place of residence.

Top European destinations Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia having about 2 million inhabitants, it is also known as the gate of the Balkans, located at the mouth of the Sava and Danube rivers. Danube River is one of the most important European Waterway connecting the Western Europe with Central and South Eastern Europe.

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and very important for countries economy, education and culture. The city have rich history and many discovered and undiscovered sites which attracts a lot of tourist. According the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade for the first 11 months on 20144 the number of foreign tourist was around one million. 

How to reach in Belgrade?

Belgrade can be reached by all possible means of transport, by plane, by train, by car, by boat, by bicycle... Here we  will mention just few of many possible reasons for visit this mysterious and beautiful city. 

1. Accomodation

You can find excellent accomodation palces suited for all pockets. There are number of

• hotels
• hostels
• camps
• private apartments

In city recognize the urgent need for new accommodation facilities and enhanced  construction of new hotels, hotels, as well as the renting of private well-equipped apartments for tourists. 

2. History 

Belgrade is very old city and has very tumultuous history that is lasting for more than 7,000 years. Centuries that have passed and left their marks which can be seen at every step in the architecturally and art. Some of the most remarkable parts of ancient Belgrade, which still "talk" about old times, can be found today. We can mention this the famous ancient site - Vinca, ana archaeological site  about 15 km far from the city, which is about 7000 years old where can see organisation of life in that period, with clearly defined streets, houses, gardens.

3. Monuments Like all old European cities, Belgrade also have evocative monuments that can live you breathless. Through monuments, tourists can hear his history. 

Just to mentioned few of many monuments in Belgrade. 

Gardosh

Gardosh

The Millenary Monument Gardosh was erected in 1896 to mark the 1000th anniversary (896-1896) of the founding of the Hungarian state. As the southern-most town within Hungary's empire, Zemun was chosen as the site for the Millenary Tower, built on the site of its medieval fortress. Its position at the top of Gardos hill also provides visitors with a beautiful view back over the town center. From Gardos visitors can enjoy the broadest panorama of Zemun, its roofs and the church bell-towers

The House of Flowers

The House of Flowers and its accompanying museums dedicated to the memory of Josip Broz Tito offer visitors a glimpse into both the life and times of the man and his conflicted legacy.

The Victor Monument

This is maybe most recognisable Belgrade monument, is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the breach of the Thessaloniki Front.

Victor, Belgrade

The National Assembly

The National Assembly of Serbia is located in the city center of Belgrade, it was built in the Classical style with Renaissance elements, with rich interior (architectural and artistic) decoration, made by, at that time, most famous artists and craftsmen. This impressive building is one of the most important achievements of recent Serbian architecture.

National Assembly (Skupstina)  

Street Knez Mihailova 

This the main pedestrian zone is under state protection as one of the oldest and most valuable architectural monuments containing a series of representative buildings and private houses built in the late 19th century’s.

Knez Mihailova street

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace was the home of King Alexander I and King Peter II. Today The Royal Palace is the home of Crown Prince Alexander and his family.

Belgrade Fortress - Kalemegdan Park

With impressive views over the Danube and Sava rivers, the Belgrade Fortress and the Kalemegdan Park together represent a cultural monument of exceptional importance, the area where various sport, cultural and arts events take place, and are fun and joy for all generations of Belgraders and numerous visitors of the city.

Kalemegdan

Square Republic (Trg Republike)

The Square is a popular place for the young Belgrade’s to meet before going elsewhere to have fun. Actually, even those who do not know Belgrade very well, prefer the Square as an orientation point.

Skadarlija

Skadarlija

The old bohemian quarter of Belgrade dates back to late 19th and early 20th century, and its taverns and restaurants were (and still are) a meeting place for many of the greatest figures of the cultural scene of Belgrade and Serbia. Skadarlija offers vibrant spirit and unique atmosphere. Everyone who visit to Belgrade and not visited Skadarlija, is the same as it did not come.

Temple of Saint Sava

Temple of Saint Sava

This temple is the largest church in Serbia, and one of the largest Orthodox church in the World.

4. People in Belgrade 

The strongest impression of all visitors from abroad, are Belgraders themselves. As you walk through the city, you can see that the streets are alive and fool with people at any time of day. Residents of Belgrade are warm, cheerful, welcoming people who like to laugh, celebrate, relax and love to socialize with family and friends. Celebration and relaxation usually take place around the table at home and restaurant. Citizens of Belgrade will help visitor to find his way around, and getting invitation for a drink or lunch from complete stranger in not completely unlikely. In Belgrade everyone wants to pay the bill.even unemployed.  The practice to divide the bill in Belgrade is strange thing. 

5. High octane nightlife

 Attractive destinations, wild parties that last whole night is Belgrade brand. Belgrade nightlife consist of festivals, parties, nightclubs, etc. In Belgrade, every night is Friday night. everyone is ready to party at all the time, dance all night, and go straight to work next day. it's really hard to resist the temptation when you know that on any given evening there are countless clubs out there full of young, people having so much fun. There are countless nightclubs, bars, cafes that stay lively into the late hours of the night. Very popular are "splavovi"-floating clubs situated on rivers. 

6. Dining diversity 

Belgrade has a lot to offer to hedonist who enjoys in food. Serbian cousin is a heterogeneous and have characteristics of the Balkans, Mediterranean, Turkish and Central European (Austrian and Hungarian) cousines. Meat, pastry, local vegetables dominate. The most popular dishes are: pasulj, prebranac, musaka, ajvar, paprikas, sarma, cevapcici (kebab), cheese pie - gibanica and many more. The best place to taste all this food are "kafane" (kind of tavernas) and restaurants. 
 

One of the most famous tavern in Belgrade called "?"

7. Art and Architecture
Belgrade's long and storied history is suggested by its architecture, which varies from Byzantine and Ottoman to neoclassic and romantic buildings in the older neighborhoods, and from Art Nouveau to brutalism and neo-Byzantine design in New Belgrade. The city has many theaters, museums, monuments and opera houses. We highly recommend  visit to one of many theaters, they are all excellent.

8.The incredible Belgrade's women
The unforgettable women in Belgrade are the soul of the city. Bewitching, provocative, unpredictable, irresistible... "Really" Belgrade girl invest in her look, work out regularly, use quality make up, visit beauty salon, and wears elegant and sexy clothes. Maybe they will pas you with the "nose in the air", but be sure that they size you up and cross-examined. These are just few of the many reasons to visit Belgrade, which is chosen by several tourist portals as one of the most interesting destination in Europe

Belgrade's women

These are just few of the many reasons to visit Belgrade, which is chosen by several tourist portals as one of the most interesting destination in Europe

Belgrade sunset