Partner

The reception and pool staff were delightful, and we appreciated finding a cake and gifts for the children in our room for my son's birthday. The massage therapist was exceptional and always had a positive attitude. Our group of families found the rooms spacious and clean, with a pleasant view. Parking beside the premises was convenient, and nearby amenities meant we didn’t need to drive. We had a great experience and expect to return.

There are several bars and restaurants close by, and the hotel has a nice bar of its own. Breakfast offers a good choice. The rooms are well equipped, with the usual toiletries and air conditioning, plus a large walk-in shower with two shower heads. It’s an excellent hotel about 300 yards from the marina seafront.

This has been disappointing so far, and it doesn’t feel like a four- or five-star stay. The room smells of smoke coming through the air conditioning. There’s nothing in the minibar, which smells very unpleasant, and a bunch of dried herbs seems to be there to cover the odor. There’s no phone in the room. I was told they didn’t have enough phones to go around. No water was provided either, which I haven’t experienced before at a supposedly four-star hotel. The safe is jammed shut, and the main door won’t lock from inside, which feels unsafe.

I wouldn’t choose this hotel again. The description calls it five-star, but I don’t know where that comes from. Some rooms are good, while others are basic, outdated, and not modern at all, with an appearance that reminded me of the ex-Soviet style. I started in a bad room and reception changed it only very reluctantly, after first trying to tell me they were fully booked. Rooms facing the street are better quality and quieter despite the street noise, especially if an event at the football stadium is disturbing rooms at the back. Breakfast was okay. The hotel may be near the sea, but it’s 30 minutes from Old Town, and a taxi there should cost 500-600 leke each way. It was the worst hotel of my seven-night tour of Albania.