Ebel Boutique Hotel

At Ebel Hotel, the staff made the stay. The receptionist welcomed us warmly and kept checking that we had what we needed. Dinner was just as good: Lanti was friendly and professional, and the other waiter, whose name we didn’t catch, was equally attentive and accommodating. At breakfast, the server was pleasant and helpful, making for an easy, relaxed start to each day. The hotel itself is a lovely boutique place, thoughtfully put together, with comfort and style. The whole experience exceeded what we expected, and we’d happily return and recommend it to anyone visiting Tirana.

The location was excellent, with the Ring mall directly opposite. It has most major retailers and a food court upstairs, and Skanderberg square is about a ten-minute walk away. For under 70 euros a night, breakfast was included and our room looked gorgeous, decorated in a Victorian style with beautiful antique pieces used throughout. The breakfast was quite generous, and I loved the local fried doughnut balls. If you don’t expect too much, you’ll be delighted. I know I’ve given five stars to most of the hotels on my Balkan sabbatical, but that reflects my real experience across all the places I’ve stayed. Really, what more could you want without paying 200 to 300 euros? PLEASE VISIT ALBANIA!!!!

The breakfast was disappointing. Although service runs from 7:30 to 11, a lot had already run out by 8:30, even the tea bags. I’d have been really annoyed if I’d paid extra for it. The luxury room was very spacious, with a king-size bed and a sofa bed for another person or two kids. The shower was good, and having a separate toilet was handy. There were plenty of sockets and USB charging points, plus a kettle, coffee maker, and small fridge. The hotel is a little out of town, but the center is no more than a 20-minute walk, with cafes and stores along the way. There’s a taxi rank on the corner and a mall opposite.

The 24-hour bar was handy while dealing with jet lag. They say they only serve snacks, but don’t be fooled, those “snacks” are full meals and will fill you up. Breakfast was included too, which was a nice extra. Everyone on staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the overnight host was amazing. He spoke several languages well enough to have proper conversations and patiently answered our endless questions. He was a real ambassador for the hotel and country. E’bel Boutique Hotel in Tirana was very comfortable, clean, and well located. Five stars, and we can highly recommend the hotel and staff to anyone traveling through.