Skopje Marriott Hotel

The Skopje Marriott Hotel sits at Plostad Makedonija 7, directly on Macedonia Square, the central plaza of the capital, and it is the most polished hotel in the city. Expedia lists it as a five-star property with 164 rooms across ten room types, and guests rate it 9.4 from nearly a thousand reviews. The location is hard to beat for a first visit: Macedonia Square is a one-minute walk, the Stone Bridge and the Gradski Trgovski Centar are two minutes away, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa is about three minutes, and the Old Bazaar is roughly ten minutes on foot. The hotel has a full-service spa with a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath, hot tub and five treatment rooms, an indoor pool, a health club, a garden and terrace, an on-site restaurant, a bar and lounge, and a snack bar. It is a strong choice for couples and for travellers who want comfort after a day of walking cobbles and climbing the fortress hill.

Location and getting around: the hotel puts you in the middle of the city's main sights. You can walk across the Stone Bridge into the Old Bazaar in about ten minutes, reach the Fortress through the bazaar lanes, and find cafes and restaurants all around the square. The railway station is about nineteen minutes on foot, and Skopje Airport is about a 30-minute drive, with an airport shuttle available on request for a fee. For trips to Matka Canyon or the Millennium Cross, taxis and tours collect from the centre easily.

The rooms: ten room types range from about 285 to 581 square feet, so there is a good spread from standard rooms to larger suites. Guests who want a quieter stay should ask for a room away from the square and the evening traffic. The spa requires a reservation for treatments, and children under 18 are allowed only until 6 pm, after which the spa is for adults, which suits couples seeking quiet. The indoor pool needs adult supervision for children.

Good to know: a full breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 11:00 for an extra fee per person, so compare the rate with and without it. Secure covered parking on site costs extra per night, a city tax applies per person per night, and a photo ID and a card or cash deposit are needed at check-in. Pets are allowed for a fee, smoking is not allowed, and free cancellation is offered on selected rates. It is the right hotel for couples, business travellers and anyone who wants a polished, central base and a spa in the capital. Travellers on a tight budget will find simpler options nearby.