We visited the comfortable and modern Zepter Hotel in Kozarska Dubica.
Kozarska Dubica is a town and municipality located in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina on the banks of the Una River, connected by bridge to Croatia. It is part of the Republika Srpska entity. The town has a population of about 6,000 people, while the wider municipality has a population of around 12,000.
Zepter Hotel in Kozarska Dubica is located in the heart of the town on the banks of the Una River, and it is a modern four-star hotel. The hotel offers different categories of accommodation, including standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and apartments. Each room has air conditioning and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a bathroom with a shower or bathtub.
The hotel features a bar, conference hall, a restaurant serving regional and international cuisine, and a spa area with a sauna, steam bath, and exercise room. Parking is also offered to hotel guests free of charge.
As the kind director of Zepter Hotel, Petar Bijelić, stated in our conversation, guests come from many countries. Business meetings and team building events are organized, while tourists come for vacations on weekends and during the summer.
The location of the hotel is by the Una River, and during the summer, it has its own beach. The river is clean and clear and suitable for swimming. If it’s cold outside, guests can use the wellness area, which is nicely decorated with a steam bath, sauna, jacuzzi, and heated mosaic loungers.
Zepter Hotel is well-known for its food, and the head chef, Slobodan Marin, knows best about what’s on offer.
The hotel’s location is by the Una River, and during the summer, it has its own beach. The river is clean and clear and suitable for swimming. On the other side of the hotel is a pedestrian zone with several cafes and shops. The town itself is not big, but the surrounding area is very interesting and offers various opportunities for exploring and active holidays.
Kozara National Park
Kozara National Park is located nearby. The park covers an area of about 33,000 hectares and is home to diverse flora and fauna, including bears, wolves, and lynxes. The park also has several hiking and cycling trails, as well as picnic areas. Visitors can find the remains of ancient settlements in the park, as well as traces of World War II, including a monument and a museum dedicated to the Partisan struggle on Kozara.
Monastery Moštanica
The women’s Orthodox monastery is located in the village of Moštanica in the municipality of Kozarska Dubica. The monastery is dedicated to St. George and is situated on a hill on the slopes of Kozara, surrounded by beautiful nature. Monastery Moštanica has a long and rich history, and according to some sources, it dates back to the 13th century. Today, the monastery is an active place of prayer and spirituality, and visitors are welcome to visit the monastery and enjoy its beauty and peace. It is located 12 km from Dubica.
On the way to Monastery Moštanica, we stopped to explore a private zoo. On spacious meadows, there are deer, roe deer, Shetland ponies, as well as sheep and goats. There is also a pool next to the house that serves as refreshment in the summer. Families with children come for a trip and relaxation in this beautifully arranged garden and to socialize with the animals.
Of course, after all the attractions, we got hungry, so our kind hosts took us to two authentic places to satisfy our hedonistic desires.
Banjac Winery
Banjac Winery was a real discovery. A catering facility that operates only by order is located in a beautiful location among vineyards. From the terrace, there is a view towards Dubica, Kozara, and the Una river. The owners prepare the food themselves, and the grilled carp on skewers is highly recommended and should be ordered in advance. It was perfectly cooked and juicy, not too dry. We tried several types of wine with the meal: Sauvignon Blanc, Traminac, Rose, and Chardonnay. We especially liked the Muscat Ottonel, which we bought to take home. Prices are fair and affordable.
As the night was still young, we visited another winery, Podrum Panić. The modernly decorated space warmed us up with another round of good wines. Chardonnay and Rose were the best combination at that late hour. A true little boutique winery.
Kozarska Dubica has a lot to offer for a fun and interesting weekend. Zepter Hotel is an ideal place for a comfortable stay. During the summer, there are also boats available on the Una river, and electric bikes are expected to be available for rent to explore the surroundings.
All of the above locations are close and on flat roads, making such bikes ideal for riding and taking a break from the car. Zagreb is close, only 128 km by road through Jasenovac. The other route through Hrvatska Kostajnica and Petrinja is slightly farther. Both roads pass through beautiful nature and are good for driving. The border crossing is located right by the hotel.
