The best accommodations Albania

Budget & Tips

Against all expectations, it's also possible to pay good money in Albania. Business travellers will be happy to flock to addresses such as the Tirana International or the Rogner in the capital. Some tourists will also find a few luxury addresses in this guide, particularly in Tirana. However, when it comes to accommodation, Albania's big advantage remains its hotel rates for the average tourist: on average, you should expect to pay between €20 and €80 per night for two people, including breakfast, depending on the location and type of establishment. In some establishments, you'll just have to be a little tolerant about the quality of the infrastructure. Expect to encounter (and get used to) anomalies such as broken shower doors and bare wires, and not just in the cheapest hotels.

A final word of warning: although payment by card has become much more widespread since the health crisis, make sure you always carry cash with you. Some establishments, particularly in more rural areas, do not have bank terminals.

To be booked

While we're quick to forgive its sometimes rustic aspects (given the prices), we also have to put up with unqualified staff, especially when it comes to small family affairs. But whatever the standard, the biggest problem in Albania is that of reservations, which some "professionals" have the annoying habit of not always respecting. It's true: you've booked somewhere and the manager suddenly informs you that he's finally accepted a group. However, there are two caveats: this is not a general rule and, by definition, it doesn't happen in low or mid-season. In high season, we can only recommend that you confirm your reservation before arriving.

On another note, if you choose to visit Albania during the hot summer months, make sure your hotel has air conditioning.

What's very local

Although the euro is often accepted for "big" expenses, you'll often pay in lek, Albania's national currency, on the spot. Knowing that your overnight stays will cost you a few thousand lek, it's a good idea to keep a few 1,000 and 5,000 lek bills with you.

Thinking of paying by card? A few precautions are in order. If you pay outside the euro zone, you'll probably have to pay a tax. Is this due to the influence of neighboring Greece, or to concerns about bank terminals? Whatever the case - and our readers often confirm this - it's not uncommon for your card to be refused (at all) or not to work in certain establishments.

For food lovers

Unlike many destinations, here, nine times out of ten, breakfast is included in the price and, if you're lucky, it can be a real feast and set you up for half a day! In charming establishments in Korça, Berat or Gjirokastra, we discovered gargantuan tables with homemade cakes and jams. The French love..

Smokers

In theory, since 2007, smoking has been banned in enclosed spaces in Albania, including most hotel rooms. The law even provides for fines of up to 50,000 lek or €400 in bars and restaurants. In practice, we have noted that the legislation is rather well followed. Even though almost a third of Albanians smoke, they avoid doing so in enclosed spaces. As for smokers, they will console themselves on their balconies if they have one..

Tourist traps

Saranda is one of the few towns in Albania that is truly geared towards tourism... and it's packed with hotels, with over a hundred to choose from. There is no shortage of establishments, on average more expensive than elsewhere, and generally of a high standard. Most are located on the seafront promenade and on the coastal road leading to Butrint. The big problem with hotels here, more than anywhere else in Albania, is that they don't always respect individual reservations.

If in doubt about the quality of comfort or reliability of a reservation, ask for the name of the person you are dealing with, and ask him or her to send you photos of the room.