We review the Skopje Marriott Hotel, a business hotel at the centre of North Macedonia’s capital city

What springs to mind when you think of North Macedonia? When I surveyed friends, there wasn’t anything that anybody could tell me beyond the query ‘Isn’t that a place near Greece?’ At The Hotel Journal, we’re passionate about stepping off the beaten path, and exploring the country’s capital city of Skopje was just the ticket after recent escapes to stalwarts like Dubrovnik, Barcelona and Southern Japan. Skopje Marriott Hotel is situated in the city centre, and was our base for three nights and two full days in the city.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own

Skopje Marriott Hotel review

Hotel: Skopje Marriott Hotel
Location: City centre, overlooking Macedonia Square in Skopje, North Macedonia
Address: Plostad Makedonija 7, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
Rooms: 164 rooms and suites
Brand: Marriott Hotels (Marriott Bonvoy)
Opened: 2016 
Style: Contemporary luxury with a business-focused, international chain aesthetic
Family amenities: Family suites with separate living space, connecting rooms on request, kids’ amenities (toys, games, play tents)
Wellness facilities: Full-service spa, indoor pool, whirlpool, 24-hour fitness centre
Price range: £100–£180 per night, depending on season and room type

Business or pleasure?

Though labelled a business hotel in line with many red-logo properties, the Skopje Marriott Hotel easily blends into the pleasure realm. It’s, after all, a family-friendly venue, with suites to house a group while one attends to city business. The location, steps from popular attractions such as Macedonia Square, the Old Bazaar and the Stone Bridge, means there’s plenty to do. A surprisingly chic spa, an on-site restaurant, and meeting facilities complete the setup.  

Rooms and suites

We checked into a Deluxe King room on the 7th floor, and admittedly, the style veered on the business side. But that just meant a non-distracting colour palette, plus ergonomic work desks and good Wi-Fi connectivity. We also had access to the Executive Lounge. This is on the 5th floor, serving a basic breakfast, a more robust evening canapé and wine selection, and all-day snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. It was seldom busy during our stay, and made for an extra space for relaxation and office time.

Our king bed was clean and comfy, so I slept well each night. I attempted watching some television, but mostly preferred sitting by the window for our partial view of the square below. If you’re able to score a room with a full view of the square, I’d imagine there’s no need for digital entertainment. The sculpture-laden square is, quite literally, the Skopje postcard.

Elsewhere in the room, the beverage station featured complimentary bottles of water, instant coffees and tea bags. I didn’t use these; instead opting for the Lavazza machine in the Executive Lounge for a stronger brew. The room also featured sockets for charging (you’ll need an adapter), decent luggage storage space, and a mini-bar.

As for the bathroom, it was concealed within a patterned glass partition. This is great for couples or if you’re travelling solo, and it makes the room feel bigger; however, I wouldn’t suggest sharing with your dad or a pal, as there isn’t much privacy at shower time. Products were a delicious eucalyptus sensation, said to be ‘mood-enhancing’ according to This Works. The shower pressure was good, and the toilet was separate. The basin area contained complimentary amenities including a dental kit, mouthwash, and a vanity kit. Slippers are provided, but not robes. 

Food and drink

The hotel has just one restaurant, Distrikt Bar & Kitchen, but it’s a solid eat, serving delicious Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisine. I was rather full from the Executive Lounge’s generous evening canapés, so I came for a salad and the grilled chicken. I hear the cocktails are fantastic if that tickles your fancy. 

An American-style breakfast is also served here, featuring an egg station, a range of hot and cold buffet items, and booster juice shots. For the days we were in a rush, such as departure day, it was nice that there were takeaway cups for coffee in the Executive Lounge, which we took full advantage of. 

For further cravings, you have a slew of international options nearby. Being in such a convenient location means that they’re all, from Chinese to Italian, at your fingertips. 

The gym and spa

The Dandelion Spa and Health Club were much bigger than I expected, and the good news for adults like me who are not with kids is that the spa is child-free after 6 pm. Bliss! It was a great way to kick back after a long day of working and exploring. I didn’t have a treatment; however, I made use of the indoor heated pools, steam and sauna facilities. They were chic and well-maintained, and there was plenty of space, so we could always nab a day lounger.

The fitness centre is open 24/7, and from what I saw, was fully equipped with cardio equipment, free weights, and mats. I preferred getting cardio outside on Skopje’s streets.

One thing to note is that there is no dryer for your swimwear in the changing room. So I recommend bringing a bag to transfer it back to your room to dry on the rack overnight.

Things to do

We landed late and left early, so we only had two full days to explore. One of them was a day trip to Kosovo, because I’m a Dua Lipa fan. On the day that we stayed in Skopje, we walked around the city and enjoyed attractions such as the historic Old Bazaar and the Art Bridge. I wished that we had another day to head out to nature, but figured it’d be better to save kayaking at Matka Canyon or hiking Mount Vodno for the warmer months.

I always love learning about the local cuisine, and we did do The 5 Tastes of Skopje in the Old Town tour, which I browsed and booked last-minute on the GetYourGuide app en route to the airport. Food tours are always my go-to excursions when travelling, especially when I don’t speak the local language or am a little intimidated by the food. 

Getting there

It was affordable and easy to reach Skopje from London, thanks to direct flights on Wizz Air. Mine went from Luton, so I took the National Express from Finchley Road right up to departures. From Skopje International Airport, it’s an easy 30-minute taxi to the hotel.

Frequently asked questions: Skopje Marriott Hotel

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