Finnish sauna, Turkish and Russian baths at the foot of Bukulja mountain - first guests in hotel "Izvor" in mid-2010

Hotel-tourist complex "Izvor" in Aranđelovac, of which reconstruction commenced in November 2003, will open its doors in mid-2010, and the previous investments in it have already reached about 20m EUR.

- The refurbished hotel will have four stars and the surface of over 24,000 square meters, which is nearly twice the surface of the old facility - the Manager of "Izvor", Dragan Todorović, told "eKapija".

- The accommodation capacities will be big enough to satisfy the needs of 637 guests, modern wellness center will have enough room for 452 visitors, and the complex will also comprise six indoor and three outdoor swimming pools, Finnish sauna, Russian bath, Turkish bath and spa center. There will also be seven multifunctional halls, two restaurants, and bawling room with six lanes underneath the congress hall with 500 seats. It is important to point out that the mineral water spring at the depth of 136 meters, with the water temperature of 20 centigrade degrees, will be used for the needs of spa and wellness center, as well as balneotherapy - Todorović explained.

He pointed out that, according to the privatization contract on sale of 70% of the hotel, mandatory investments amounted to 100,000 EUR, while 200 times larger amount has been invested in the complex to the date, which is unique case in our country.

The old hotel was built in 1978. So far, it has had total of about 0.5m guests who spent 2m nights in the hotel.

- Former facility at 13,524 square meters had 221 accommodation units, that is, 15 suites, 23 one-bed and 183 two-bed rooms, with total of 414 beds. The hotel had three stars, and it was granted ISO 9001:2000 certificate by English "Loyds" on October 31st, 2001. Introduction of HACCP and ecological standards 14002 is in the pipeline.

Over the last fifteen years, the occupancy of capacities has amounted to 48%, which is satisfying when compared to Serbia's average occupancy of 36%.

- Thanks to exceptional geographic position, the vicinity of Belgrade, rich flora on Bukulja mountain and medicinal characteristics of mineral springs, I am sure that "Izvor" will be one of the best hotels in this part of Europe - says Todorović.

Bukovička spa resort is situated 75 km away from our capital city and 40 km away from Belgrade-Niš highway, at the very foot of Bukulja mountain, which is famous for medicinal water that is used, along with clay, in the treatment of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliar systems, the diseases of respiratory system and injuries of locomotor system.

The majority owner of the hotel is Miroljub Aleksić, the President of "Alco Group". The main architects are Belgrade-based companies "Konstanca Inženjering" and "Naš stan".