Alex&Buba (FREE private parking)

You know what really struck me about Alex&Buba? It’s tucked away on Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića in Novi Beograd – and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from the address at first. I mean, New Belgrade can feel pretty concrete-heavy and intimidating if you don’t know it well. But when I pulled up (and yes, that free private parking is absolutely clutch – you’ll understand once you try finding a spot anywhere else in Belgrade), I realized this place gets something most hotels miss entirely.

The apartment is on the second floor, which means you’re high enough to avoid street noise but not so high that hauling luggage becomes a workout. What really impressed me was how Alex and Buba – the actual owners, not some faceless corporation – have thought through the details that matter when you’re actually living somewhere for a few days. The kitchen setup is proper functional, not just for show, and there’s this lived-in quality that makes you feel like you’re crashing at a friend’s place rather than staying in some sterile hotel room. The neighborhood itself is actually pretty brilliant once you get oriented – you’re close enough to walk to the Sava riverfront when the weather’s nice, and the tram connections into the old city center are straightforward once you figure them out. I spent one evening just wandering around the blocks nearby and stumbled into this local kafana that definitely doesn’t see many tourists.

What really sealed it for me was the little things that show someone actually cares about this place. The WiFi works properly (I know, bare minimum, but you’d be surprised), the shower has decent water pressure, and there’s proper blackout capability for the windows – crucial if you’re dealing with jet lag or just want to sleep past sunrise. The hosts are responsive without being hovering, if that makes sense. When I had a question about getting to Nikola Tesla Airport early in the morning, they actually mapped out the best route and timing rather than just saying “take a taxi.” With a 9.7 rating, you might expect some catch or hidden downside, but honestly? It just feels like staying somewhere that two people have put genuine thought into making comfortable. It’s not flashy or trying to be Instagram-perfect, but after a long day of walking around Belgrade’s hills and cobblestones, you’ll appreciate having a proper home base that doesn’t feel like you’re camping out in someone’s idea of what a hotel should be.