Aria Hotel

I spent two nights at Hotel Terminus 3* in Tirana, from September 13 to 14. As a Canadian traveler from Quebec, I found it good value, especially with the full breakfast included through booking.com. I paid 141 euros for the two nights and would rate it 7.5/10. Better room amenities and a proper fire safety system with an evacuation plan would have brought it to 10/10. The hotel has about 12 to 14 rooms and sits at the end of a street in a large construction area, where two buildings over 15 to 20 stories are being built. The construction didn’t affect my access or create noise during my stay, though I’m concerned it may affect travelers in the coming weeks. From Tirana Bus Station (TEG), the trip took about 50 minutes, using city bus #2 and then walking 15 minutes. The hotel is only a five-minute walk from the city center and grocery stores. Check-in was easy, but there’s no elevator. Luggage has to go up a narrow spiral staircase, which would be impossible for someone with mobility issues. My room, #202, was advertised as 27 square meters but felt closer to 20. The small bathroom was around 4 square meters, with a walk-in shower, handheld showerhead, toilet, sink, and hairdryer, but no storage. The main room had some storage and enough space to move around, though no table or desk. It did have a refrigerator, TV, comfortable mattress, and excellent Wi-Fi. There was no kettle or coffee maker, but I got hot water from the breakfast room near the check-in desk. The room had one window, no carpets, and good insulation, though neighborhood dogs barked at night. The air conditioning worked very well. There were two glass cups and one plastic cup in the bathroom. Both the room and hotel were very clean. I didn’t see a fire alarm, sprinkler system, or evacuation plan on the back of the door. The only emergency exit is a service staircase, so if that can’t be used, the only way out is through the window. The staff were kind, but apart from a very friendly young student at the front desk who checked me in, they didn’t speak English.

A simple hotel in a nice spot, within walking distance of some of Tirana’s trendier areas. The staff were friendly and breakfast was okay. A good budget option.

My two friends and I had a really good stay. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the central bus station, and the rooms were very clean. The employees were lovely, and breakfast tasted great. I definitely recommend it.

A bit of a hidden gem. The staff were friendly and helpful, the beds and pillows were comfortable, and the shower was great. Breakfast was tasty too.