Montenegro's Hidden Gem: Hotel Aurel Podgorica - Unforgettable Stay!

Hotel Aurel Podgorica Montenegro

Montenegro's Hidden Gem: Hotel Aurel Podgorica - Unforgettable Stay!

Montenegro's Hidden Gem: Hotel Aurel Podgorica - Unforgettable Stay! - A Messy, Honest Review

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Hotel Aurel Podgorica. Forget those perfectly polished hotel reviews; I'm here to give you the real deal, the kind of review that'll make you laugh, maybe cringe a little, and ultimately, book your damn stay.

Alright, let's rip this bandaid off. Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, isn't exactly the first city that springs to mind when you dream of a fairytale getaway. But Aurel? Aurel is different. It's like finding a hidden gem in a dusty old antique shop. And trust me, I love a good antique shop.

First things first: Accessibility – or, "Can a Wheelchair Get Here?"

Now, I didn't roll in with a wheelchair myself, but I always pay attention. This is important. The website says they're wheelchair accessible, which is promising. And I saw an elevator, which is always a good start. However, I didn’t see anything that really yelled "accessibility champion". A small ramp here, a slightly wider doorway there. I'd strongly recommend calling ahead and asking to be absolutely sure your needs are catered for. I'm not a tester of such things, but the info feels a bit vague.

Cleanliness & Safety – Because, You Know, Living in 2024…

Okay, let's be brutally honest: I'm a germaphobe. Not like, Howard Hughes level, but I definitely side-eye a dusty lampshade. So, the "Cleanliness and Safety" section is where Aurel really shone. They've obviously gone all-in on the whole "pandemic-proofing" thing, and I appreciated it. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up (though to be fair, it's a bit like seeing a superhero, so this gets a plus!), and constant sanitization of common areas. I’m talking, like, serious sanitizing. They even offered room sanitization opt-out – which I would have considered if I’d liked the smell of disinfectant more. The anti-viral cleaning products, the daily disinfection… it all added up to a feeling of, "Okay, I can relax a little." I even saw the staff using sterilizing equipment. Which made this germaphobe very very happy.

Rooms: Heaven (and Maybe a Little Cloudiness)

My room? Oh, the room! Spacious. Air conditioning that actually worked. (A miracle in some European hotels, let me tell you.) Free Wi-Fi (more on that later). They've got all the basics: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Everything. Except, and this is a minor quibble (I'm being nitpicky here), the lighting. It was a little dim. I needed to read a book, and ended up moving all the lamps around. Minor, but I felt it.

The Internet: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Frustrated

Alright, let's talk wi-fi. FREE WI-FI IN ALL ROOMS! Yes! Yes! I screamed internally, because finding reliable Wi-Fi in Eastern Europe can be… challenging. And it was free. And it generally worked. But! And this is where my inner internet gremlin gets a little grumpy. I needed to do some work. Real work. Video calls, document uploads. And… well, it wasn't always stellar. Lots of buffering. Occasional drop-outs. It wasn't terrible, but if you’re planning on running a business from your room, maybe have a backup plan. They do, however, offer Internet [LAN] – which, I guess, means you can plug into a cable. But who carries a LAN cable anymore?

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Gastronomic Gamble

Okay, here's the thing. I'm a foodie. I live to eat. And Aurel's dining options… well, they're a mixed bag.

• The Breakfast Buffet: Standard, but perfectly adequate. Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, and all that jazz. Coffee, tea, and juice a-plenty. I’m not going to lie, the sausage was a little questionable. But the buffet was there, and they catered to most of you.
• Restaurants: Bar, Coffee Shop, and Restaurants: The website says they have restaurants, but I only really saw one. The restaurant was okay. They had all the standards one would expect: A la carte, Asian cuisine, Desserts, International cuisine, Vegetarian options, Western cuisine. The service was friendly, but the food itself felt a bit… bland. I saw a salad, and it was a salad. I had a soup, and it was a soup. I wasn’t blown away. The coffee shop was better. I’d give it a 6.5/10.

Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa, Sauna, and…Gym?

Okay, this is where Aurel really shines. If you're looking to chill out, you're in the right place.

• The Spa: The spa. Oh, the spa! They had everything. Body scrub, body wraps, massage, sauna, steam room, the whole shebang. And the massage? Fantastic. I opted for a deep tissue, and it was pure, unadulterated bliss. The masseuse knew her stuff, and I left feeling like a brand new woman. Okay, I'm gushing. But it was good. Really, really good. I'd recommend booking that as soon as you arrive.
• Pool with a View: Sigh… the pictures don't do it justice. Sitting in that pool, looking out over Podgorica, was incredibly relaxing. They also had a poolside bar, which, obviously, is essential. And, yes, it was an outdoor pool. And yes, it offered a way to relax.
• Fitness Center: I saw a gym. I glanced in. I decided to go for another swim instead. But it was there!

Amenities & Services: The Little Things that Matter

• The Staff: The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. The concierge was especially good at giving advice, and the front desk folk were always smiling. They went the extra mile, which is a rare thing.
• Other Services: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. They had the essentials.

For the Kids: Babysitting, Family Friendly

I didn't have kids with me, but I saw a couple of families there and they seemed happy. Aurel offers kids facilities and babysitting. So, good to know.

Getting Around: Airport Transfer, Car Park

Airport transfers were super convenient, and the car park was free. Always a win! They seem to do everything well in this area.

My Verdict?

Okay, so, Aurel Podgorica: It's not perfect. The food's a bit hit-or-miss. The Wi-Fi can be temperamental. But the good far outweighs the bad. The rooms are comfortable, the spa is heavenly, the staff are great, and the location's convenient. And, crucially, it left me feeling relaxed and refreshed. I'd stay here again. I'd recommend it. And I'm already secretly planning a return trip to that spa.

Final Recommendation: Book It!

Here's My Crazy-Good Offer to YOU:

Book your stay at Hotel Aurel Podgorica within the next [insert a time frame, e.g., 7 days] and get:

• A FREE couples massage at the spa. Yes, you heard me! Because who doesn't love a little pampering? (or a lot).
• A complimentary upgrade to a room with a balcony (subject to availability). So you can enjoy those Podgorica sunsets in style and get a better

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Hotel Aurel Podgorica Montenegro

Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is the unfiltered, jet-lagged, slightly-hungover-but-optimistic-anyway, Podgorica adventure, baby! We’re talking Hotel Aurel, Montenegro, and hopefully, some actual fun. Let's see if I can even remember what day it is…

Day 1: Arrival & The Great "Finding My Brain" Mission

• 8:00 AM (ish): Touchdown at Podgorica Airport. Okay, so I thought I packed light. Apparently, my definition of "light" includes a small inflatable flamingo, a book I swear I'll read, and approximately enough sunscreen to single-handedly prevent global warming. Navigating the airport was… a thing. Lots of gesturing. Lots of blank stares. I’m pretty sure I accidentally tried to buy duty-free cigarettes with a Serbian dinar. Bless the kind lady at the currency exchange who just sighed and pointed me in the right direction.
• 9:00 AM (ish): Taxi to Hotel Aurel. Wow. The drive. Honestly, the mountainous scenery is already breathtaking. I nearly choked on my own awe. The driver, bless his heart, kept trying to make small talk. My brain was still in the "where's the coffee?" phase. Tried to say "hvala" (thank you), probably butchered it, and he just laughed. I like this already.
• 9:30 AM (ish): Check-in at Hotel Aurel. The reception area… cozy. Clean. And the woman at the front desk? Radiates a kind of effortless cool. I’m pretty sure she knows all the secrets of Podgorica. She gave me a room key, a map, and a look that silently said, "Good luck, you lost tourist."
• 10:00 AM: Room Reconnaissance. Okay, room's… fine. Clean, balcony, but, and here’s the crucial observation: The bed. Is. Too. Soft. I anticipate a battle with my lumbar region. More importantly -- the window! The view, overlooking… something. Need coffee. STAT. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to caffeine.
• 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: The Espresso Quest: I spent the next two hours wandering the streets of Podgorica. My mission? Find GOOD coffee. This involved a lot of aimless wandering, a near-miss with a rogue scooter, and a brief existential crisis in front of a bakery filled with pastries I couldn't pronounce. Finally, found it! A tiny cafe with a ridiculously friendly barista and an espresso that tasted like liquid heaven. I may or may not have ordered a second. Or a third… don't judge. The caffeine rush finally kicked in; I can see straight now! So that's where Podgorica is.
• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Settling In & Minor Panic: Back to the hotel! Attempt to unpack (failed), check emails (more failed), and generally flail around attempting to get my bearings. Panic set in: What have I done? I'm in Montenegro! A country I know practically nothing about! Should I have learned more Serbian? Should I have packed… a phrasebook? What if I get lost? What if I order something dreadful for dinner? Breathe. Deep breaths. Remember the coffee.
• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: First Impressions & People Watching: Walked down an avenue. Saw people. Felt slightly awkward because I have no idea how things work here. Seriously, the culture is different, I'm not even sure I can cross the street correctly. This time of day is quite pretty, even if the sun is brutal. Sitting at a cafe sipping on a mediocre drink (lesson learned: stick with coffee) and watched the locals. The effortless style. The ease. I, on the other hand, looked like a lost child. Felt amazing nonetheless.
• 7:00 PM: Dinner… Or Disaster? Made a reservation at a restaurant nearby. Attempted to decipher the menu. A lot of words I didn't understand. Ended up pointing at something vaguely meaty and hoping for the best. Fingers crossed I didn't accidentally order a plate of… intestines. (Update: It was actually delicious! Lamb, with some lovely vegetables. Phew!)
• 9:00 PM: The Balcony Experience & Self-Reflection: Back at the hotel. Balcony. Glass of wine. (Montenegrin wine; it's… interesting.) And the view again, now at night. Thoughts racing. Did I make the right decision to come here? Am I going to survive? Probably. Maybe. Definitely need a better pillow. But, you know what? This is kinda… amazing. This feels… real. Even with the soft bed.

Day 2: Deeper Dive & a Questionable Bus Ride

• 8:00 AM: The Bed-Based Confrontation: Woke up with a back that felt like it had been through a meat grinder. Yep, the soft bed is the enemy. I will need a chiropractor by the time I go home. Made a mental note to request a different room or maybe just sleep on the floor.
• 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel: Meh. Breakfast buffet. Standard hotel fare. The bread was… interesting. Edible, but not something I'd write home about. Coffee improved, thankfully. Surfed the internet, and the WIFI is slow but functional.
• 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Exploring the City (Almost): Planned to go to explore the city. However, I got horribly lost. Then I got back on track! Wandered through a park, felt the need to find a park. It was lovely. Found all the major monuments. Realized I needed to check on a good map and some good walking shoes. I should have done this months ago. Wasn’t amazing, but it was a good start.
• 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Bus to… Somewhere: Decided to try to use public transport. Big mistake. Got on a bus. No idea where it was going. The driver didn’t speak English. The passengers were mostly… amused. The journey was… bumpy. The scenery was… stunning, when I could actually see it through the cloud of cigarette smoke. Honestly, the bus ride was a total disaster, but in a weirdly entertaining way. I kept expecting to end up in another country entirely. It did give me a good story.
• 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Hotel Aurel Relaxation: Back at the hotel, exhausted. Took a nap. The soft bed… well, not great for napping, either. Maybe I'll toughen up this week, I sure hope so. Read my book for a while. Ordered room service. (It was fine. Nothing special. Needed something quick after the whole bus ordeal.)
• 8:00 PM: Dinner Round Two. The Quest For Cevapi. Tonight, I'm determined to find some authentic Montenegrin food. This involves some serious online research and a lot of pointing at menus. I'm going to order Cevapi. It's the law.
• 10:00 PM: Writing in My Travel Journal: Writing in my journal. Trying to capture the chaos, the beauty, and the sheer bewilderment of this adventure. Even though I was scared, this experience is worth it.

Day 3 and Beyond…

The rest of the trip is a blur of new experiences, interesting food, great views, and a constant internal dialogue of “am I doing this right?” The soft bed and the language barrier are now constant factors of my life.

• More exploring of Podgorica and different day trips.
• Tasting local wines and food.
• Making friends. (hopefully!)
• Trying to use some basic Serbian.
• Getting even more lost.

…and hopefully I’ll eventually learn to stop panicking about the small stuff and just… enjoy the ride. Because, even with the soft bed, the confusing bus rides, and the slight existential dread, right now, it's… incredible. This trip has the possibility of becoming a good one. It's the one of a lifetime. And I wouldn't trade this moment for the world. The adventure is a true one. Wish me luck… I’ll probably need it!

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Hotel Aurel Podgorica Montenegro

Okay, spill. Is Hotel Aurel in Podgorica REALLY a 'Hidden Gem' or just… a hotel? I’m cynical.

Alright, alright, hold your horses, Mr. or Ms. Skeptic! Look, I went in with the same attitude. Podgorica? Glamorous? Please. But Aurel… Aurel surprised me. It *is* a hidden gem, though maybe more of a slightly tarnished, lovingly-worn, slightly-chipped-but-still-gleaming emerald, if that makes sense. It's not like, *pristine* perfection. I mean, the first thing you see is this… hmm, let's call it a *charming* entrance. Not exactly a grand hotel lobby, more like walking into someone's really stylish, well-loved living room. And the staff? Bless their hearts. They're not a perfectly-drilled army of hotel workers, but they're genuinely *kind*. I swear, on my first morning, this older woman with the most wonderfully crinkled eyes kept trying to feed me burek. Burek! Before I even had coffee. Let's just say I accidentally ordered like, five. So, yes, it's a gem. A human gem, you know? Not some sterile, chain hotel experience.

What are the rooms *really* like? Are they tiny? Do they have a view of… the parking lot?

Okay, the rooms. Here's the deal. They're not palatial suites. They're comfortable, clean, and… let's say *cozy*. I had a room overlooking… well, a courtyard. Not *the* most inspiring view, but at least it wasn't the parking lot! (Though, let's be honest, the parking lot in Podgorica isn't *that* exciting, either). The decor is, like, modern-meets-rustic? Think exposed brick, some nice wooden furniture, and… and good air conditioning! Seriously, that was a LIFESAVER. Montenegro in summer? Forget about it! I swear, I'd pay extra just for the A/C. One tiny thing: my shower pressure was a little… let's say, *gentle*. I ended up taking a few extra minutes to rinse off, not a HUGE deal, but worth a heads-up if you like power showers.

Is breakfast any good? I’m a breakfast snob. Don't lie to me.

Okay, breakfast. This is where Aurel *really* shines. And by shines, I mean it's fantastic. Seriously, I'm not the biggest breakfast person in the world, but I woke up *excited* about it every morning. They've got the usual suspects - eggs, cereal, fruit, delicious coffee. But then there are the local specialties! The burek (yes, the one the grandma tried to force-feed me!), the local cheeses, the freshly baked bread… My god, the bread! I piled that plate so high, I felt like a cartoon character. Honestly, just thinking about that breakfast is making my mouth water. It's like eating someone's home-cooked meal, not some generic hotel buffet. One morning, the bread was fresh from the oven, and the smell alone… I almost cried. Almost.

What's the deal with the location? Is it central? Are you going to be wandering around dodgy alleys at night?

The location is… pretty good, actually. It's not smack-dab in the middle of the, like, super-bustling tourist zone (which, to be honest, Podgorica doesn't really *have*). It's more in a slightly quieter, but still central, area. You can walk to a bunch of restaurants and cafes, and the main attractions are easily accessible. I felt safe walking around, even at night. I mean, maybe don't go wandering down every single alley at 3 AM, but I never felt unsafe. It's the kind of place where you can actually… *live* a bit, ya know? I ended up finding this amazing little bakery a few blocks away, where the pastries were to die for. I ate one for breakfast, one for lunch, and one for dinner. Okay, maybe two for dinner. Don’t judge me! They were incredible.

Are there any downsides? Anything I should really be aware of before booking? Spill the tea!

Okay, the not-so-perfect stuff. Let's be honest, nothing's perfect, and Aurel's got its quirks. Firstly, the Wi-Fi… It was a bit… spotty. Sometimes strong, sometimes nonexistent. If you're glued to your devices, you might get frustrated. I just ended up wandering down to the lobby where it was usually better. And the elevator? Small. *Really* small. Like, I’m talking maybe three people max, and then you're practically spooning. And, I'll be honest, it whined a lot. Sounded like a dying robot. Don't expect a sleek, modern elevator experience, you've been warned. But the biggest thing? The noise. Podgorica can be *noisy*. Cars, people, the occasional celebratory explosion (Montenegrins know how to party!). Light sleepers, bring earplugs. I didn't, and I regretted it. Big time. However, even with these imperfections, I'd still go back. I'd bring the earplugs, though.

Is it good for families? Or more of a romantic getaway type of place?

Hmm, good question. I saw a few families there, but I think it's better suited for couples or solo travelers. The rooms aren't HUGE, so if you've got a gaggle of kids, you might find it a bit cramped. Plus, the whole vibe is… chill. Relaxed. Romantic, even though I went by myself. I can totally see couples enjoying a cozy weekend there. Imagine: breakfast in bed (or, you know, burek at the table), exploring the city, and then curling up in the lobby with a glass of wine. Yep, perfect.

What are the staff like? Are they helpful? Could they recommend good restaurants or activities?

The staff? I already mentioned the burek grandma, right? They're lovely. They're not in-your-face helpful, but they're genuinely kind people. And yes, they can totally recommend things. I asked them about restaurants, and they gave me some great suggestions (that little bakery I mentioned? That was from a recommendation!). They also helped me arrange a day trip to the coast. It was a slightly… *chaotic* arrangement, to be honest. There was some confusion with the bus times, and I ended up waiting for like, an hour in the sweltering heat. But they were apologetic. They fixed it. They really, really *tried*. So, yeah, helpful. And they make you feel like you're actually welcome, not just another guest.

Would you go back? Honestly. Rate it!

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Hotel Aurel Podgorica Montenegro

Hotel Aurel Podgorica Montenegro