Sarajevo; the name of a city I have been hearing about since I was a young girl.

Sarajevo is the city where Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were murdered, leading to the beginning of the First World War, which would change the face of the world forever.

Sarajevo is a city which has known Fascist and Communist dictatorships, and which has faced various wars, trying slowly but surely to resurrect from its ashes, bloodshed and losses.

Nevertheless, it is one of the nicest and most touching cities I have ever visited as it is trying to build up a future on its past and present. This can be very well noticed when entering the charming Hotel Michele.

Indeed, this hotel has made a point of mixing modernism with its heritage, leading to a fabulous blend of history in the entire sense of the word, relating it to family, city and country.

It is very much looking forward to giving its visitors the impression of entering the living room of a Sarajevo family where you are more than welcome to closely look at family pictures, smell the dishes that are being lovingly prepared in the adjacent kitchen, and read the books that are carefully displayed on all the big and small tables.

Flashy colors are being used on the walls, and you soon understand that it is done to alleviate the owners’ beautifully bombastic furniture which has been modernized at some places.

Leopard prints ornate the sofas surrounded by dark brown wooden tables, which carry stunning pieces of silverware, that shine brightly against a turquoise and golden wallpaper, that instantly puts you in a positive mood when setting foot in the unforgettable lobby.

While wandering and wondering around the hallway, you are surrounded by landscape paintings on a stunning wallpaper, leading to breathtaking bedrooms. They are so wonderful that you may mistake them, just as I did, for the palazzo’s lobby (I still blush when remembering the faces of the hotel guests as I entered their bedroom).

But this is not all; you are welcomed by the owner’s family portraits who pose for extremely talented painters and carry you to a past where people used to be proud of their origins, story and place in their distinguished and polished society.

Don’t be shy and ask the kind owner and staff for more information on what your eyes meet as thanks to their explanation you will quickly feel the inimitable and intimate atmosphere emanating from every detail of this living hotel painting.

You will understand that although this hotel is small and cozy, it has met its great expectations and has elevated itself to one of the most notable and distinguished places in Sarajevo. It has welcomed not only me but also various noteworthy celebrities, such as Bono, James Brolin, Kevin Spacey, Michael Moore, Morgan Freeman, Richard Gere, Steve Buscemi, and many more!

I am sure that, thanks to its history, authenticity, heritage, discreet glamour and the broad staff smiles and kindness you will fall in love with this gem of true know-how, making this place a true a must!

HOTEL MICHELE

Address: Ivana Cankara 27, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tel.: +387 33 560 310
Click here to visit Hotel Michele’s website