Grand Hotel Europa

The staff are wonderful and very helpful. Not all of them speak English, but there's always someone around who can assist. Before booking, we got to explore the facilities and look at the rooms. Breakfast was plentiful and tasty, and the air conditioning worked perfectly in the rooms and at reception. We really felt that great Albanian vibe here. Our rooms were clean and tidy, though the bathrooms were small, as they seemed to be in most places we stayed in Albania. There are signs of wear around the hotel, but renovation is underway. The pool is cleaned regularly and other floors are being refurbished, so it looks like it will soon be an excellent place for a longer stay. We had two rooms next to each other on the fourth floor. Just outside them was a huge terrace for all guests, lovely for sunsets or just taking in the sea view. The hotel has a beautiful view of the sea and city, right next to the beach, and is about a 10-15 minute walk from Vlora's main promenade. The lobby and reception have beautiful wood carvings. There's also spacious underground parking that keeps the car cool. The hotel has its own special charm. I read that someone compared it a bit to Dracula’s castle, and that's exactly what made it feel stylish and unique. P.S. The public beach in Vlora beside the hotel is unfortunately quite dirty. Since it's in a bay, the water isn't the bluest or clearest either. Still, the beach is spacious and definitely has the potential to improve in the future.