Crowne Plaza Belgrade
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA large conference-oriented hotel in New Belgrade operating under IHG's Crowne Plaza brand.
Last updated August 24, 2026
Overview
Crowne Plaza Belgrade is a major hotel and conference property in New Belgrade, on the left bank of the Sava River. The hotel is positioned near several of the city's principal business, exhibition, sports and convention venues, including Sava Centar, Štark Arena, Ušće Tower and the Gazela Bridge. Its accommodation inventory comprises 387 rooms and 29 suites, making it one of the largest hotels in Belgrade by capacity. The property also contains multiple restaurants and bars, extensive meeting space and facilities designed for business travelers, conventions, receptions, visiting sports teams and leisure guests. The building opened in October 1979 as Hotel Beograd InterContinental. It was developed with state financing arranged through Generaleksport, commonly known as Genex, and was designed by architect Stojan Maksimović with associates. Construction was carried out by Trudbenik together with numerous subcontractors, and the project was completed under demanding deadlines connected with major international meetings scheduled in Belgrade. Its opening represented one of the early Western hotel-franchise ventures in communist Yugoslavia and linked the property with the nearby Sava Centar through a pedestrian passage. During the 1980s, the hotel became a prominent venue for international visitors, convention delegates and Yugoslav political, cultural and sporting figures. Its position changed sharply after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the imposition of sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the 1990s. International isolation reduced tourism and business activity, although the hotel remained open and continued to receive selected diplomatic and political visitors. Tourism and commercial performance improved after sanctions were lifted and political conditions changed. The property also gained international notoriety after the January 2000 killing of Željko Ražnatović in its lobby. The hotel lost its InterContinental franchise in July 2006 after Genex failed to maintain the relevant franchising arrangements. It briefly operated under the names Hotel International CG and Continental Hotel Belgrade without a foreign brand affiliation. In 2008, Delta Holding acquired the property together with nearby assets and subsequently agreed a new arrangement with InterContinental Hotels Group. The hotel closed in July 2012 for a comprehensive renovation and reopened to guests in December 2013 as Crowne Plaza Belgrade, with the formal reopening ceremony held in January 2014. The renovation involved the building envelope, technical installations and interior renewal. A new energy-efficient glass facade was installed while preserving the protected building's established appearance. The reconstructed property has eight floors and approximately 37,000 square metres of floor area, including two large presidential suites. Its current identity combines the legacy of a landmark Yugoslav-era international hotel with Crowne Plaza's focus on corporate accommodation, meetings and events. Ownership is associated with Delta Holding, while the hotel trades under the IHG-managed Crowne Plaza system.
History
Crowne Plaza Belgrade originated as Hotel Beograd InterContinental, a state-backed international hotel project developed in New Belgrade during the late 1970s. Generaleksport, or Genex, financed the project and arranged an InterContinental franchise, making the hotel one of the notable early Western-branded hospitality ventures in communist Yugoslavia. Designed by Stojan Maksimović and associates and built by Trudbenik with a broad network of subcontractors, the property opened in October 1979 beside the newly constructed Sava Centar. A pedestrian connection linked the hotel with the congress venue, reinforcing its role as an accommodation base for conventions and international delegations. In its first decade, the hotel became an important social and business address. Its rooms, restaurants and event areas attracted foreign visitors as well as Yugoslav politicians, artists and sports personalities. The opening of Hyatt Regency Belgrade nearby in 1990 added direct competition in the upscale segment. The dissolution of Yugoslavia and the wars and sanctions of the 1990s severely damaged international tourism and commercial activity. Despite the difficult environment, the hotel remained open, maintained its international operating connection for much of that period and hosted diplomats and political meetings, including during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign. A highly publicized violent incident occurred in January 2000 when Željko Ražnatović was killed in the lobby. After the removal of sanctions and the recovery of tourism, the hotel's commercial prospects improved. However, Generaleksport's financial and operational difficulties affected its ability to comply with franchise requirements. The InterContinental license ended on 6 July 2006. The property was subsequently known first as Hotel International CG and then as Continental Hotel Belgrade. During this period it continued to operate as a large independent hotel with hundreds of rooms, executive accommodation, meeting rooms, restaurants and sports facilities. Delta Holding purchased the hotel and two nearby properties in 2008. The new owner sought to restore an internationally recognized brand and negotiated a new relationship with IHG. The property closed in July 2012, with reconstruction beginning in September. The redevelopment targeted convention guests, business travelers, sports teams and foreign tourists. Construction work was undertaken by Exing B&P, interior design was attributed to Virgile and Stone, and project management was handled by Turner Southeast Europe. The work renewed the interior, building systems and facade while retaining the building's protected architectural character. The hotel reopened under the Crowne Plaza name in December 2013, with a formal ceremony on 28 January 2014. The renovated property contains 387 rooms, 29 suites, 14 conference rooms and a broad range of food-and-beverage facilities. It has remained a significant convention and business hotel in Belgrade because of its proximity to Sava Centar, Štark Arena, Ušće Tower and major transport routes. Its history reflects the transition from state-supported Yugoslav international hospitality, through the isolation and ownership challenges of the 1990s and 2000s, to a contemporary IHG-branded hotel operated for corporate, events and leisure markets.
- 2014
Official reopening ceremony
[1]The formal reopening ceremony took place on 28 January.
- 2013
Reopens as Crowne Plaza Belgrade
[1]The renovated property welcomed guests from 30 December under the Crowne Plaza brand.
- 2012
Major renovation begins
[1]The hotel closed in July and reconstruction work began in September.
- 2008
Delta Holding becomes owner
[1]Delta Holding acquired the hotel and nearby properties and later arranged a Crowne Plaza affiliation with IHG.
- 2006
InterContinental affiliation ends
[1]The property lost its InterContinental license on 6 July.
- 1979
Hotel Beograd InterContinental opens
[1]The hotel opened in October beside Sava Centar as an InterContinental property financed through Generaleksport.
- 1977
Architectural project receives Belgrade October Prize
[1]The design by Stojan Maksimović and associates received the city's October Prize for architecture during the development phase.
Products and positioning
Upscale, conference-oriented business and leisure hotel
Hotel accommodation · 2013
Guest rooms
The hotel offers 387 guest rooms serving business, convention, sports and leisure travelers. The accommodation inventory reflects the property's role as one of Belgrade's largest full-service hotels and includes access to the hotel's dining, meeting and guest-service infrastructure.
Premium accommodation · 2013
Suites and presidential suites
The property has 29 suites, including two large presidential suites. Following reconstruction, each presidential suite was described as having multiple bedrooms and bathrooms together with kitchen, study and living areas, supporting extended stays and high-profile or diplomatic visits.
Conference and banquet services · 2013
Meetings and events
Crowne Plaza Belgrade provides 14 conference and event rooms for conventions, business meetings, receptions, ceremonies, banquets and related functions. Its proximity to Sava Centar and major sports venues supports group and event demand.
Food and beverage · 1979
Restaurants and bars
The hotel includes a choice of restaurants and bars for resident guests, event participants and local customers. Food-and-beverage operations have been part of the property's commercial role since its earlier InterContinental and Continental periods.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2013
Rebranding as Crowne Plaza BelgradeStrategyBackground
The former Continental Hotel Belgrade was repositioned after a major renovation and a new agreement with IHG.
Action taken
The property reopened under IHG's Crowne Plaza brand.
Aftermath
The hotel returned to an internationally recognized chain while retaining its established convention-hotel location and scale.
2012
Closure for comprehensive renovationStrategyBackground
The owner identified convention visitors, sports teams and foreign tourists as key target groups for the renewed property.
Action taken
The hotel closed in July and underwent reconstruction and systems, facade and interior renewal.
Aftermath
The hotel reopened in December 2013 with the Crowne Plaza identity and expanded meeting proposition.
2008
Delta Holding acquires the propertyM&ABackground
The hotel had operated under independent names after losing its InterContinental license and was acquired together with two nearby properties.
Action taken
Delta Holding purchased the assets and pursued a new IHG affiliation.
Aftermath
The property was later redeveloped and relaunched as Crowne Plaza Belgrade.
Recent events
- 2013
Crowne Plaza Belgrade reopens after renovation[1]
Product launch
The renovated hotel began accepting guests in December under the Crowne Plaza brand; an official reopening ceremony followed in January 2014.
- 2012
Hotel closes for major reconstruction[1]
Other
The property closed in July 2012 for a major renovation intended to reposition it for congress visitors, sports teams and international travelers.
- 2008
Delta Holding acquires the hotel[1]
M&A
Delta Holding acquired the hotel and nearby properties and later reached an agreement to bring the property back into the IHG family under the Crowne Plaza brand.
- 2006
Hotel loses InterContinental license[1]
Other · Leadership change
The property ended its InterContinental affiliation after its franchising arrangements were not maintained, beginning a period under independent names.
Sources2 sources
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