How the most famous Grand Hotel has changed the image of the destination over four decades
For 40 years in the heart of the Silver Mountain lies its pearl – the largest and most famous – the Grand Hotel. This pride of the Serbian hotel industry and a status symbol for generations is an inseparable part of their family memories, a witness to meetings and partings, first ski steps, growing up, making acquaintances, closing business deals, adventures and enjoyment. An ideal starting point for an unforgettable day on skis, indulging in the experience of Kopaonik and a time to remember.
Today, Kopaonik can boast the fact that it is a counterpart to developed European mountain destinations that successfully follow in the footsteps with their facilities and offer. Along the way, the Grand Hotel has always played a driving role, dictating trends and continuously investing in new facilities and services. We are witnessing the rapid development and progress of this destination, not only in the winter months but also in the segment of summer tourism where MK Resort and Grand Hotel for years now have played a crucial role in promoting Kopaonik, investing great efforts in popularizing natural values and attractions of this mountain, promotion of active vacation and stay in nature and advocating for the development of tourist infrastructure and sustainable development.
The era of modern tourism on Kopaonik began in 1980, when the then Government of the SFRY launched a project for the development of the Kopaonik area, after the devastating earthquake that hit this region. Only a year later, the Karavan Hotel was built – today’s Grand Hotel, which opened the door to fashionable, and above all ski tourism, which until then had been shyly present thanks to young enthusiasts and mountaineering associations. In the same year, the Assembly of Serbia declared a part of Kopaonik a National Park, and the International Ski Federation granted this mountain the status of an International Ski Center. Although the Grand Hotel has always been ahead of its time, in 2008, with the privatization by MK Group, it gained its new shine and became the hotel we know today. Thanks to capital investments and efficient business strategy, with the application of world standards, the entire hotel complex with the leading Grand Hotel was revitalized in a short time, and the destination itself was returned to the map of the most popular ski centers in the region.
“This year, inseparable from each other, both the Grand Hotel and the Kopaonik National Park, celebrate 40 years of existence and 40 years of modern tourism on this mountain”
The Grand still retains its authenticity and charm, although it was built in the original “Kopaonik architectural style” which includes construction adapted to climatic and landscape conditions and folk tradition, but also a humane and pleasant ambience that cultivates the values of traditionally warm hospitality.
The soul of the hotel has always been its guests and legendary caterers who welcomed the most famous people of their time from public life, art, culture, entertainment, sports, politics, diplomacy and the clergy, along with many domestic and foreign guests. As the epicenter of social life on the mountain, the Grand Hotel is the initiator and host of many events and manifestations such as Ski Opening, Music Week, Kopaonik Business Forum, Kopaonik School of Natural Law, which are now traditionally held on Kopaonik. Grand’s premises have always been ideal scenery for grand celebrations, and often the guests themselves were able to create an atmosphere to remember for all visitors.
In the year when it celebrates 40 years, the Grand Hotel will mark the jubilee important for both Kopaonik and Serbian tourism in the best possible way. The new hotel will shine in a new edition at the beginning of the winter season, thanks to a capital investment worth 20 million euros, which will provide a completely new luxury atmosphere for all visitors, as well as new facilities. In the same way that the fashionable charm intertwines with the “pulse” of the mountain, so the traditional hospitality of the most famous hotel on Kopaonik will be embraced by a refined and luxurious approach to the new needs of the guests.