If you are planning your next trip to Montenegro, then we recommend staying in Podgorica for at least a day so you can explore the true Montenegrin culture. And Hotel Fobra is a place we recommend for your stay. Before planning your trip, we recommend reading our article The Must-See Spots in Podgorica for the Ultimate 1 Day Itinerary!
If we have convinced you to take a trip to Podgorica, then you have come to the perfect place to help you decide on where to stay next.
Recently I have had the pleasure to stay in Hotel Fobra in Podgorica. In this blog, I will share my experience of staying in Hotel Fobra with you.
Before I get into it, I would like to mention that this blog is my complete and honest opinion about my stay in Hotel Fobra in Podgorica. My experience was enjoyable during my stay, although I had a few minor complaints that do not detract from the positive aspects of it.
How to get Hotel Fobra
If you are arriving at the airport in Podgorica, there are multiple taxis that can take you directly to the hotel. The ride is approximately 16 minutes (depending on the traffic at the moment) and it will cost you anywhere between €10-20. The first thing I have thoroughly enjoyed and noticed is that the hotel offers you help to book a taxi for you at a fixed price. This makes your trip easier as you do not have to worry about arranging your own taxi.
If you find yourself in the city center before the check-in time, you can take a brisk 10-minute walk to the hotel.
Hotel Fobra first impression
The first thing I liked is the location of the hotel. Being very close to the center makes your trip to Podgorica much easier as most things you need to see in Podgorica are just a short walking distance from you.
You can take a brisk walk from the hotel to The Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, visit The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, explore Galerija Pizana, or find restaurants to eat at.
The fact that it is so central makes it a perfect place for tourists that are visiting Podgorica no matter if you’re visiting for pleasure or work.
Prior to arriving at the hotel, I intentionally refrained from reading much about it so that my experience would be completely unbiased and my review would be an honest representation.
The initial feature that caught my attention upon arrival was the size of the hotel. I was taken aback to discover that it only had four floors and nine rooms in the building. However, I later came to appreciate that it added to the hotel’s charm. It does have free parking available which is also an added bonus.
All 9 rooms are double rooms with the possibility of arranging an extra bed if needed. The hotel can host around 21 guests in total.
The entrance of the hotel is very cute as there is a sitting area just outside the entrance of the building. This is especially nice in the moments where the weather is nice, and you want to enjoy a drink after a long day of exploring. The hotel offers drinks that you can order from the bar area and the prices of them are surprisingly not much different than when you take a drink in a local bar/restaurant.
Reception, check-in and check-out
As you walk in, the reception is on your left side. The reception’s working hours are from 8:00 am until 12 am, and the check-in is available from 13:30 until 23:30, with the possibility of later check-in if you arrange it beforehand with the staff of the hotel. Contact with the hotel staff is extremely easy, as they speak English and are answering the questions fairly fast.
On the right-hand side of the entrance, there is a stand with maps, activities, and other related information. Hotel Fobra provides jeep tours at reasonable prices in various parts of the country.
The check-out from the hotel is between 7:30 and 11:00 am which is great, as it is not too early and gives you the chance to sleep in a bit in the morning.
One thing that really stood out to me (or should I say, made me “step up” my game) was the fact that the hotel doesn’t have an elevator. So if your room is on the top floor, get ready to do some cardio and climb a few flights of stairs to get there!
Walking up the stairs helped me realize one thing though – the cleanliness of the hotel. The hotel is extremely clean, and the floors looked sparkling.
Hotel Fobra room review
The cleanliness of the hotel continues in the room. The size of the room is good, with big windows and a balcony door which add a lot of natural light. The room comes with a balcony which is an amazing feature as you can enjoy the views of river Ribnica from your room. The balcony overlooks Ribnica as well as part of the city and is amazing for watching sunsets as it catches the last sunrays of the day.
I stayed in a Deluxe double room with a shower, and it only cost me €34 (including breakfast), which was a great deal compared to the other options available when I made my booking. It’s worth noting that hotel prices can fluctuate depending on the season and demand for accommodation. So, if you’re looking to save some money, it’s always a good idea to check for deals and book in advance.
The room is very well equipped with everything you need for your stay. On the bed you will find clean towels, there is a small fridge in the room, as well as a safe in the closet in case you need to store some belongings.
The bathroom is also well-sized, and has a hair dryer, shampoo, shower gel and soap next to the sink.
Breakfast at Hotel Fobra
Hotel Fobra comes with breakfast included in the price. What surprised me a bit is the fact that the breakfast in the hotel is not typical, as you get to choose your breakfast the day before.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this hotel doesn’t mess around with its options. You can choose from eggs with ham, omelets, a Montenegrin breakfast food called “priganice,” and a cheese sandwich. It’s like a breakfast battle royale! I went with the priganice because it’s my jam, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. They were fresh, hot, and served with a side of honey and cheese. Pro tip: eat the priganice with cheese first, and then add a little sweetness with the honey. I also had a glass of OJ and a coffee on the side to really kickstart my day.
Overall, if you are looking for a place to stay at in Podgorica, Hotel Fobra with its location, the looks of it, the cleanliness, and the prices is definitely a place I recommend if you’re looking for your next trip to Podgorica. Other competing hotels in the same class are able to offer fitness centers and other niceties but are discernably more expensive.
Given the fact that the hotel itself does not include many amenities that you can find in 4-star hotels, this is a place that I recommend for a short-term stay.
