Hotel Kovači

The host family were friendly and helpful, but there's a huge amount of potential going to waste here. In two weeks of travel through Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia, I didn't see another hotel with a location like Hotel Kovači. Tourists pass it constantly and eat at nearby restaurants, yet hardly anyone uses the outdoor seating because you wouldn't know it was part of a hotel. I'd open the restaurant, serve food, drinks, and Bosnian pastries, perhaps partnering with a bakery, and put up clear signs for the patio. Strong internet, phone charging, and some smooth Bosnian music would make it inviting too. The extra income could help improve the rooms. The TV is on a table, the room paint could be more calming, and the bathrooms need work: a proper square shower with clear glass, private solid doors instead of milky glass, updated tiles, and ventilation rather than a window. The bathroom shouldn't smell in the morning or let outside people hear you. The cabinets were dusty, and our blankets had red stains. I couldn't tell whether they were blood, lipstick, or something else. The lobby could feel more welcoming too, and a bicycle doesn't belong there. The owner's son speaks English well, but the owner doesn't, which is a problem in a busy tourist area where an international language is essential. Room access should use digital cards. The hotel locks after midnight, so when I went out in the evening I had to say when I'd be back and return before then. Guests should be able to enter with their cards, and the hotel could prevent unauthorized entry that way. This place has a prime location and could earn a lot and increase the property's value. As it is, it's an uncut gem, which is sad.

We were a family of four, with our children aged one and four, and stayed at hotel Kovaci in January 2024. The rooms were small, but spotless and warm even with -10c outside, and our window looked out over Čaršija. Parking was included in the price. The hotel is in the old city, Čaršija, so you can walk to most interesting places, including great restaurants and Turkish coffee spots. Everyone was friendly and helpful, and we enjoyed talking with the owner and his wife. Breakfast came with our reservation. It was a modest regional-style buffet, all fresh, with excellent tea and coffee, enough to get the morning going. We had a very positive stay and couldn't think of anything negative. It's cozy and welcoming, and felt like a reflection of Sarajevo's people. We wholeheartedly recommend it.

Our small grad school class stayed here and loved the patio and breakfasts. It's a family-owned place, with great shops and dining nearby, and the location worked well for the group. They've recently opened a new hostel downstairs.

The online pictures don't match what we found. It felt more like an old, dirty hostel than a hotel, and was a real disappointment. Spiders were on our ceiling, the carpet was filthy, and the bathroom towel rack was so dirty we couldn't use it. The location is very central, but the windows are poor quality, so it feels like sleeping out on the street. I wouldn't recommend staying here.