Ibis Skopje City Centre

This is a four-star Ibis.  We had no complaints, but I have no idea how North Macedonia awards its star ratings. There was nothing extra special about the hotel compared to the normal one or two-star Ibis hotels that we have stayed in elsewhere. I am only saying this as four stars would probably lead to expectation that could not be met. Indeed, this was commented upon by one of the reception team members, saying he often has to disappoint customers by informing them that the pool and other expected facilities were not available. That said we did have a kettle in our room.

We stayed here for just one night, in early March, as I had made a massive date error on our reservation elsewhere (Hilton Skopje Double Tree – a true five star but way out of the town), and when realised decided to stay the last night "in town".

Check-in was easy, as we were expected. The hotel was not full, due to the emerging Covid19 (although at the time of our stay there was only one case in North Macedonia) The hotel is now fully repurposed and equipped with all the necessary medical equipment and materials and housing isolation of “suspicious” persons of the Covid virus-19 at no cost to the Ministry of Health.  The hotel is very likely to be totally different after this is over.

We were given two drinks vouchers, (these were redeemed for a very nice hot chocolate and a local bottled beer in the bar later) and our key card. Our room was on the seventh floor (there are 110 rooms over 8 floors), overlooking the back of the hotel, that gave a view to the hills and the Millennium Cross. The front of the hotel has views overlooking an unfinished office block. This office block view seems to have been unfinished for a number of years. You want a top or high floor room at the back of the hotel if possible. The room was equipped with a kettle and a mini fridge (that was not plugged in) and working air-conditioning. We had to sign a form to allow the window to be unlocked – this is common in hotels now. The bathroom (dispensers of soap and shampoo fixed to the wall) area was a standard Ibis pod type arrangement that was a little on the small side, as was the room. It would not have been enjoyable to have stayed for any more than a few days. There were not enough plug sockets, and no USB outlets for charging.  The room was equipped with the standard Ibis bed and bedding, and we had a good night’s sleep.

There was also a bunch of flowers, and some nibbles in the room, along with an embroidered hand towel as a welcome gift, and a nice message on the bathroom mirror from the housekeeping team. As welcomes go, this was near the top of what we had experienced in Ibis hotels. (The best was the Ibis in Siem Reap- also four star -  that provided free airport transfer and free local mobile phone SIM card)

The location is just of the main square with the enormous statue of a man on a horse … and a 2 minutes’ walk to the Stone Bridge. However, around the hotel it was dominated by unfinished (and possibly abandoned) construction. This made it unattractive, but it felt safe.  The Marriot has probably the best position on the square (but at 4 times the Ibis room rate and no “statue” views from the lounge or public areas). The Stone Bridge Hotel has a viewing area / restaurant on its top floor with similar priced rooms to the Ibis when we enquired (walk up rate was low due to no tourists). For what we wanted, however, the Ibis was ideal.

Breakfast was included in the room price (we paid about 44€ including taxes for the one-night stay), and had a good selection, although the restaurant area – underground - could have been cleared of used plates and trays. The breakfast was a buffet type arrangement and was fairly extensive and re stocked. There were a few hot items, as well as local flavours and delicacies.

Checkout was easy, as we had pre-paid. Points posted quickly.  The hotel also arranged for a limo service to the airport that we also paid at 25€  (a taxi is a fixed cost at 20€ so this was a bargain). We were also given a late check out at no cost.

The staff that we interacted with all spoke excellent English (I was told that they learn it from the English subtitles on the television …. but the English was too good for this) and were helpful and talkative.  A lot of the normal tourist questions were asked and local knowledge and insights gained.

All in all, we had a good stay. The location is good, but not excellent. You have to pay a bit more for the views or book non chain.  The hotel was friendly and welcoming, but was a standard Ibis in many ways, with small room sizes. It was worth the money, but only for a few nights due to room size and amenities. For comparison we booked the Doubletree, at a sale rate for slightly more per night. However, the location was a 3€ taxi ride to town (or more if your taxi driver thought he could get away with it …...)

We were in Skopje at the end of Feb till early March 2020, and there were very few tourists. The centre of the capital is full of newly built museums - we were the only people in many of the tourist attractions over our stay - it was quite strange - and many bridges. There are also statues. Loads of statues. They have even built two concrete “pirate” boats in the river (there are three – and they double as restaurants and hotels but one unfinished). It is a very strange place in search of some identity. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and welcoming. It is a city we will return to.

Pictures to follow.