“Hotel Kalemi and Gjirokasta”
——————————————–
Do yourself a big favour. Go to Albania, go to Gjirokastra, and stay at the Hotel Kalemi. Book early and ask for room 6 with beautiful mountain views. Yes, the hotel may be a little hard to find at first. So what’s so hard about printing a map? The Kalemi is very close to everything. Walk or drive, it’s worth the effort.
Albania is a gem and Hoxha’s dead.
The people are gentle, the food is superb. The views are unique because, in part, of it’s Ottoman heritage and UNESCO status but wear sensible shoes.
I guarantee you’ll want to go back. It reminds me of much of Greece from years past.

“Beautiful brand-new boutique hotel”
——————————————————
I was actually booked into the Kalemi 1, but my Albanian friend rang ahead to check on the booking and we were told that we could stay in the new hotel which only opened last month. It is closer to the town centre and is converted from one of the beautiful buildings for which Gjirokaster is famous (and many of which are now falling into disrepair.) I had room 203, which hads a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed and an equally spacious bathroom with a shower. There is a balcony with a view to the castle. The quality of the fittings and furnishings is very high: my bedroom had a specially carved wooden ceiling, and there is much woodcarving throughout the building. We were shown what I assume is the bridal suite on the top floor, which is huge. It’s only a short walk to a number of bars and restaurants. The hotel is not easy to find and approaching it by car is slightly hair raising, but you soon get used to it! Gjirokaster is a beautiful town and justly deserves its status as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Wi-Fi was free and excellent, the room was air-conditioned, and breakfast was exceptionally good.

“HOTEL STUPENDO NEL CENTRO STORICO”
————————————————————–
La classificazione ufficiale parla di un 3 stelle ma… ne vale assolutamente 4, se non di piu’!
Situato nel centro storico di Gjirokaster, all’interno di un edificio in pietra, completamente ristrutturato.
Ogni dettaglio e’ particolarmente curato. Le camere non sono grandissime, ma sono molto accoglienti e ben arredate. I bagni ampissimi, con una doccia enorme. La nostra stanza aveva un balconcino con vista sui tetti in pietra… stupenda!
La colazione viene servita al tavolo, in una saletta molto luminosa e arredata con cura. Viene offerto di tutto e di piu’, pur non essendo a buffet.
Si arriva di fronte all’hotel in auto, seppur con qualche peripezia per le stradine del centro storico, e si puo’ parcheggiare comodamente.