Review: Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevo [Bosnia & Herzegovina]
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Centralized location | Bland decor, not the most modern hotel |
| Cool rooftop bar |
Bosnia & Herzegovina doesn’t have a lot of options when it comes to western chain hotels. Luckily, Marriott has 2 properties in its capital, Sarajevo. The only two Marriott options in the city are the Courtyard and Residence Inn. I chose the Courtyard since it provides a better points multiplier on cash bookings than the Residence Inn (10x vs. 5x).
Courtyard Sarajevo- Booking
I booked 2 separate stays for 3 nights with the average of 112 EUR per night with the Amex Bonvoy Business Rate. It’s a Category 3 hotel, so award pricing can range between 15,000 to 29,500 Marriott points per night.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Location
Courtyard Sarajevo is located right by the Miljacka River that runs through the city. It’s quite centralized and is walkable to the Old Town and the Railway Station. Coincidentally, there’s also a Residence Inn just a few minutes walk away from the Courtyard, another Marriott property.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Check-in
I arrived to Sarajevo at around 1pm for my first stay. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get early check-in so I spent the waiting time exploring the Old Town. On the second stay, I arrived at al most midnight coming from Mostar after coming off the train.
I was preemptively upgraded to the Business Guest Room, and I didn’t inquire further on being upgraded to a Suite since it probably won’t make much of a difference.
The lobby has a standard Courtyard feel with a bar, market, and business center compacted into one space.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Business Guest Room King
After stepping out of the elevator at 6th floor, I first saw a common area in the rooms floor, which I feel is uncommon nowadays.
The Business Guest Room is 29sqm wide and was spacious enough for myself.
The king bed was good enough, and a sofa is placed by the window.
A water bottle was given after entering the room for the first time, but it’s not replenished each day. Though there’s a 1L water bottle in the mini fridge. Despite having a price tag of 3.5KM, I was never charged for using it!
The work desk is placed in-between the sofa and the main cupboard. Getting in and out of it was a bit tight, and I tripped a few times from it.
As a Titanium Elite, I was given some crackers and a small bottle of raki, a Turkish alcoholic drink.
The view’s not bad for low-rise city!
A full closet included ironing board, hangers, safe, and a mini-fridge with 1L water inside.
The pantry includes Illy coffee machine and a pot to boil water.
The bathroom reminds me of my previous stay in Courtyard Tashkent where the toilet is placed by the main sink cabinet.
There’s a walk-in shower with half-glass wall with just a shower handle to use from, and a heated towel-rack behind.
There’s also a bathrobe and pair of slippers provided.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Breakfast
Breakfast is served at the restaurant on lobby floor. It’s a buffet and costs 15 EUR. This is when the $10 daily food and beverage credit becomes handy to cut down the costs if you’re interested in having breakfast at the hotel. Remember, Courtyards don’t provide free breakfast an an elite benefit.
The buffet consists of selections of cold cuts, hot dishes, pastries, sweets, and drinks machines.
The burek’s filled with cheese and is nice and flaky, and is a must-try when you’re in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Additionally, you can order n egg dish of your choice from the brochure left on the table.
Breakfast itself is fine, and is a convenient option to have food in your stomach early since many shops and cafes in Sarajevo won’t open until 9am. Though, you can find lots of nice burek places for breakfast that will cost much cheaper than the buffet and will surely fill you up too.
Courtyard Sarajevo- S One Sky Lounge Bar
The main dining establishment of the Courtyard Sarajevo is the S One Sky Lounge Bar. As the name suggests, it’s a rooftop bar on the 8th floor that’s complimented with a nice view of the river and the bright lights of Sarajevo and the mountainside.
The prices are also very reasonable as well, and there are many items under $10 where you can technically get a drink for free daily with the $10 food and beverage credit if you choose to opt-out on breakfast. I find the prices quite comparable to local taverns around the old town.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Fitness Center
The gym is located on the 6th floor, the same floor of my assigned room. There’s treadmills, stationary bikes, dumbbells, and yoga balls for workout equipment.
Courtyard Sarajevo- Market
There’s a market at lobby floor where you can buy snacks and drinks or essentials like dental kits, deodorants, etc. Theoretically, the $10 F&B credit should work here as well, but I couldn’t confirm.
Conclusion
Sarajevo doesn’t have many options when it comes to western chain hotels. But, the Courtyard Sarajevo was a fine and no-frills choice with its centralized location and a cool rooftop bar with prices comparable to local pubs.