Bujtina Te Grima

After a long hike, coming back to this family-run guesthouse for a hot shower, a warm fire, and a beautiful homemade dinner was wonderful. Breakfast and dinner included lots of dishes, so we could try many of the traditional foods we had been reading about. The family were friendly, welcoming, and helped with anything we needed. The guesthouse has a rustic charm and an amazing view. It was too cold for us to eat outside, but later in the summer, dining on the patio would probably be a great experience.

We had a pleasant two-night stay at this family-run guesthouse. It’s quiet, the views from dinner outside are very nice, and the shower was properly hot. The food was freshly prepared and made up of local dishes. They also did some laundry for us, and we were able to leave the car overnight without any problems while sleeping in Valbone after the hike. I can definitely recommend staying here.

The setting and the food are what make this guesthouse stand out. It’s around a 7 minute drive from downtown Theth, on the only road into town, so it isn’t inconvenient. Being up on the hill gives you incredible views and keeps you away from the heat that can settle in the valley, as well as from noise, backpackers, and other tourists. The rooms are somewhat spartan but clean, while the food and service are outstanding. The grandmother who works alongside the rest of the family can really cook. The meals are traditional Albanian, freshly prepared, and made with obvious care. The older buildings, possibly from the communist regime, add to the charm and mystique. We had a load of laundry done, although only in the mornings, and we left 2 bags there for 2 nights without any fuss. This is, bar none, the best guesthouse experience I’ve had in Albania. Run, don’t walk, to stay here.

The owners gave us the warmest and nicest welcome we received in Albania. They were incredibly kind, and their very nice daughter speaks very good English. She even lent us her own umbrella so we wouldn’t get wet. Breakfast was huge and delicious, and we couldn’t stop eating. Dinner was worth ordering too. The place is a little far to reach on foot, but we managed without a problem. After check-out, they let us stay in the common area longer so we didn’t have to go out into the rain. The Wi-Fi was good, the water was warm, and the room was clean. You can feel the authenticity and heart here. Definitely recommend!