InterContinental hotel

Continental hotel, when it was still part of the InterContinental hotel chain.The hotel was opened 1979 under InterContinental umbrella with the name Hotel Beograd InterContinental. It symbolised one of the first Western hotel chains entering the market of communist Yugoslavia that was experiencing growing tourism from the West. In addition to foreign visitors, throughout the 1980s, the luxurious hotel facilities also became popular with the local politicians, celebrities, and sports figures. In December 1991, the wedding ceremony between folk music star Lepa Brena and tennis player Slobodan Živojinović was held at the hotel. In 1990, InterContinental Beograd got some competition with the luxurious Hyatt Regency Belgrade being opened across the road.

After the break up of SFR Yugoslavia, the sanctions were imposed onto Serbia as well as total economic and international isolation. The hotel became pretty much empty. Financial growth plummeted to lowest levels, however InterContinental opposed the closure and continued upgrading facilities at their hotel in Belgrade. The restaurant in the hotel became popular with the Serbian nouveau riche population. Even though the prices were high it was still popular.

During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 the hotel was the place where political parties led their meetings and foreign diplomats stayed.

Željko Ražnatović, a mobster and prominent paramilitary leader during the Yugoslav Wars was shot and killed in the lobby of the hotel in 2000. The incident was broadcast across the world.

After sanctions were dropped against Serbia, democratic power was restored, tourism started to recover and the hotel started making profits.

On July 6, 2006 the hotel lost its InterContinental license.