Square Nine Hotel

Belgrade’s block-to-block shifts from Byzantine to Brutalist can be head-spinning — as can its party-till-dawn nightlife. And for a long time, it was the global mega-chains dominated the city’s hospitality, plopping themselves down among the city’s myriad sights. But even against this eclectic backdrop there’s no missing the majestic, statement-making Square Nine, a boutique hotel that combines architect Isay Weinfeld’s bold, functional dynamism with a generous helping of mid-century, jet-age romance.

Tucked unobtrusively into Belgrade’s Old Town, the hotel’s orderly façade overlooks the placid Studentski Trg, one of the city’s most beloved green spaces. Inside, trendy understatement gives way to an open-plan lobby presided over by a bar lined with authentic Danish Modern furniture; a style that’s well represented throughout the public areas and guest rooms. These smart, elegant chairs and sofas sit atop Eastern-tinged carpets spread across parquet floors, surrounded by decorative globes and sepia-toned photographs. It’s a decade-hopping aesthetic that comes together beautifully in the 45 guest rooms, where linen wallpaper and cashmere throws complement the politely formal design.

Of course, that’s not to say that the luxe details of modern boutique hospitality aren’t present — limestone bathrooms are stocked with Hermes products, and free wi-fi and flatscreen televisions are standard — it’s just that everything’s been polished with a snappy, businesslike sheen and a clubby finish. If you’re dining in, the restaurant does continental cuisine with a few welcome twists — try the house-made honey — and the spa takes a left turn into seriously sleek ambience.