Late last year, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts opened The St. Regis Belgrade, marking the brand’s first entry into Serbia.

The newly built St. Regis Belgrade, designed by noted architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Global, occupies the first 11 floors of a strikingly modern, 42-story tower known as Kula Belgrade, the tallest building in the Balkans. It is located in Belgrade’s most coveted location, where the Sava and Danube rivers meet, and part of the revitalized Belgrade Waterfront district. This highly desirable location places guests within walking distance of historical sites, the diplomatic area, dining and drinking venues, and the business district.

“Sitting at the intersection of Western and Eastern Europe, the city of Belgrade has been shaped by centuries of history, featuring a unique and diverse range of architectural styles, from medieval fortresses to modern skyscrapers,” said Helen Leighton, vice president, Luxury Brands & Communications, EMEA, Marriott International. “The St. Regis Belgrade combines the history and vibrant culture of the city with the sophistication and unparalleled service of The St. Regis brand brand.”

The design concept of The St. Regis Belgrade reflects the city’s architectural heritage and unique blend of old and new. The exterior glass shell of the tower is shaped to give a fluid and dynamic vertical expression to the tower, reminding many of the fluidity of the two rivers. Within the building, there is traditional Serbian patterns and inspirations woven throughout the interior, blended with shades of deep blues, soft grays and warm earth tones.

The St. Regis Belgrade offers 119 guestrooms, including 17 suites and a sprawling 2,000 square-foot Presidential Suite with panoramic city views. The hotel’s signature Caroline Astor Suite includes a customized collection of luxury sleepwear, exclusively curated by Serbian fashion designer Aleksandar Zabunović. Adding another artistic touch, Serbian artist Marko Desivojević contributes to the suite experience with an exclusive marble tray design. Desivojević draws inspiration from the Balkans’ rich heritage, infusing the space with simplicity, a respect for materials and innovation.

The hotel’s dining concepts introduces a new culinary experience to the Serbian capital. Savant Brasserie offers sophisticated interpretations of classic dishes, expertly infused with the flavors of the Serbian terroir and locally sourced ingredients. Rise Patisserie celebrates Belgrade’s rich coffee culture, featuring St. Regis’ signature Afternoon Tea Ritual, accompanied by a menu of elevated delicacies and handcrafted pastries.

The St. Regis Bar is the centerpiece to a truly immersive cocktail experience. Guests are invited to the jazz-inspired ambiance, sampling an exceptional selection of Serbian wines and brandies, as well as international classic cocktails, including the hotel’s twist on the Bloody Mary, Essentially Quince. Adjacent to The St. Regis Bar, the Wine Room offers a space for wine-themed dinners and tastings curated by the hotel’s cellar master and executive chef.

The St. Regis Spa features an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath and fully equipped gym. The spa provides curated body and facial treatments performed by Sothys products in five opulent rooms.  Meeting facilities offer about 7,000 square feet of space, featuring the glass-wrapped Astor Ballroom and the Astor Terrace. Additionally, the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller and Carnegie meeting rooms offer an elegant, understated elegance for intimate dinners, meetings and special occasions. The John Jacob Astor Boardroom, with unobstructed city views, also offers an exceptional setting for productive meetings.

Preserving the traditions of the St. Regis brand, the Belgrade property offers a series of signature rituals such as Afternoon Tea, a refined gathering inspired by the legacy of Mrs. Caroline Astor; the Evening Sabrage, celebrating the transition from day to night; and the Bloody Mary cocktail, blending local flavors, including Serbia’s famous quince rakija.

You might recognize the surname Astor … this is because John Jacob Astor IV founded the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City in 1904. Thirteen years later, Astor would perish during the sinking of the Titanic. This year, The St. Regis Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 121^st year as one of the world’s most deluxe and well-known hotel brands.