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Summary of reviewsLocated in a serene residential neighborhood yet close to the heart of Berat, Hotel Merkaj boasts an advantageous location that balances accessibility to tourist spots and peaceful surroundings. It is within walking distance of key attractions such as the old town, the castle, the river and bridges with the vibrant Republika Boulevard nearby. Guests appreciate the quiet ambiance and easy parking options, making it convenient for exploration and relaxation.
The breakfast at the hotel receives generally positive feedback, often described as delicious, hearty and featuring traditional Albanian flavors like burek and homemade jams. Although some guests suggest improvements such as offering real coffee and more varied options, the breakfast experience overall sets a good start to the day, complemented by the friendly staff and appealing settings like the porch or outdoor areas.
The rooms are frequently praised for their exceptional cleanliness and spaciousness. Guests find them modern, comfortable and beautifully decorated with luxurious bathrooms and modern amenities such as air conditioning and minibars. Despite some occasional minor issues, the focus on cleanliness and new facilities contributes to an enjoyable and comfortable stay, reinforced by the excellent value for money.
Cleanliness extends to all areas of the hotel, consistently maintained to a high standard. The well-kept rooms and public facilities ensure a sanitary and fresh environment, enhancing the overall guest experience despite rare mentions of minor imperfections.
The staff at Hotel Merkaj is a standout feature, often singled out for their friendliness, attentiveness and the warm, family-run nature of the establishment. Guests frequently commend the helpful and welcoming service with the staff going above and beyond to make guests feel at home, contributing to a personable and memorable experience.
Wi-Fi quality in the hotel is generally satisfactory with guests often noting reliable and strong connections, although some mixed reviews mention intermittent connectivity in certain areas. Parking is highly appreciated with ample street parking available and often free, ensuring a hassle-free experience for those traveling by car.
Families, particularly those with children, find the hotel an excellent choice due to its safe, clean and family-friendly environment. The warm hospitality of the family-run establishment and their attentiveness to guests' needs add to the comfort and satisfaction of the stay.
The bedding at Hotel Merkaj garners high praise for comfort with guests frequently mentioning the quality of the mattresses and pillows. Clean, cozy and conducive to restful sleep, the beds significantly enhance the overall guest experience.
In conclusion, Hotel Merkaj is well-regarded for its excellent location, cleanliness, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and overall value, making it a highly recommended choice for travelers visiting Berat. Show more
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Categories
Hotel with Parking
MERKAJ HOTEL BERAT features a convenient and complimentary car park, with ample space for vehicles. Guests appreciate the free private parking, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Family Friendly Hotel
Small Hotel
Room Types
Double or Twin Room with BathroomThis air-conditioned twin/double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a patio. The unit has 2 beds.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a patio. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a patio. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomThis air-conditioned double room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a patio. The unit has 2 beds.
Triple Room with BalconyThis air-conditioned triple room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with city views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Basic Triple RoomThis air-conditioned triple room is comprised of a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with city views. The unit has 2 beds.
Basic Triple RoomThis air-conditioned triple room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a balcony with city views. The unit offers 2 beds.
Standard Triple RoomThis air-conditioned triple room includes a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a private bathroom as well as a patio. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.9
Excellent
Location
The reviews for Hotel Merkaj consistently highlight its advantageous location, emphasizing both its proximity to the city center and the tranquility of its setting. Guests often note that the hotel is within a walkable distance from the heart of Berat, typically ranging from 7 to 15 minutes on foot, making it convenient for those looking to explore the old town and other attractions. While it is not situated directly in the bustling city center, its position in a quiet residential neighborhood offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle.
Moreover, the hotel is described as being in a central yet serene area with easy access to supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. The proximity to the pedestrian area and the scenic Republika Boulevard adds to the convenience of getting around. Despite some comments about the street and surrounding area being less appealing or "a bit scary at night," most guests appreciate the overall good location, allowing them to enjoy the city's offerings with a pleasant and easy walk.
Guests also point out the ease of parking and the quiet ambiance as significant positives. The strategic placement away from heavy traffic ensures a restful stay, while still providing easy access to tourist spots such as the castle, the river and bridges. Overall, Hotel Merkaj is seen as a well-located establishment that balances accessibility with a calm environment.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Hotel Merkaj has garnered a variety of opinions, but overall, it presents a largely positive experience. Guests frequently describe the breakfast as good, very delicious, tasty and filling with several highlighting its variety and completeness. The traditional Albanian touches, such as savory burek and homemade jams, add a unique local flavor that many guests appreciate.
However, the breakfast offering does have some room for improvement. Common critiques include the lack of real coffee, which is often replaced with instant coffee and limited options overall. Some guests found the breakfast to be simple but adequate for their needs, while others wished for more abundant and varied choices. The experience of cold eggs and fixed menu also emerged in some reviews.
Despite these minor setbacks, the breakfast is often noted for being hearty, fresh and delicious. It’s served in different appealing settings like the common area, the porch or even outdoors if the weather permits, enhancing the overall guest experience. The inclusion of breakfast in the room rate, along with the friendly staff and reasonable prices, adds to the positive reception.
In summary, while there are aspects that could be refined, the breakfast at Hotel Merkaj generally satisfies and provides a good start to the day for most guests.
Dinner
Hotel Merkaj provides guests with traditional food from the area at very reasonable prices, making dining both affordable and enjoyable. The breakfast offerings are noted for their excellence with some guests describing it as exceptional. Accommodations are clean and comfortable, ensuring a quiet stay in a central location close to the Old Town. The rooms come equipped with chilled drinks in the mini bar available at low prices, adding convenience to the experience. Although the hotel offers good value for money, it is important to manage expectations as it does not provide luxury accommodations. The staff is frequently praised for their warmth and friendliness, contributing to the overall positive experience.
Rooms
The rooms at Hotel Merkaj receive high praise from guests for their exceptional cleanliness and spaciousness. Cleanliness is a standout feature with several reviews emphasizing how well-kept the rooms are. The rooms are described as being large, comfortable and beautifully decorated, making them a great choice for travelers seeking both comfort and style. Modern amenities and finishes are also frequently mentioned, indicating that the hotel has been recently renovated or is well-maintained.
Guests appreciate the luxurious and spacious bathrooms, which are described as clean and stylish. Despite a few isolated issues like a non-functional shower drain and a lack of heating in some instances, the overall sentiment remains highly positive. The rooms are also noted for their comfort, especially the beds, ensuring a restful stay.
The presence of air conditioning, minibars and well-furnished interiors adds to the overall comfort and convenience. Many reviews highlight the excellent value for money, considering the quality of the accommodations. The hotel’s modern aesthetic and new facilities are consistent praises as well, contributing to an enjoyable and comfortable stay.
While some note that noise from common areas can be heard and there are occasional comments about small room sizes, these are minor points against the overwhelmingly positive feedback. On the whole, Hotel Merkaj offers a high standard of spacious, clean and modern rooms that cater well to the needs of its guests.
Beds
MerkaJ Hotel Berat consistently receives high praise for its bedding. Guests frequently highlight the comfort of the beds, noting the good mattresses and overall quality bedding. Many reviews mention that the beds are big, cozy and very comfortable with some even describing them as super comfortable. The pillows also receive positive comments for their comfort.
The cleanliness and security of the beds add to the positive experience, making them feel well-thought-out and welcoming. Occasionally, there are mentions of minor issues like a missing bedside lamp prong and some disappointment with the bedding, but these instances do not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Overall, guests find the beds at MerkaJ Hotel Berat to be clean, comfortable and conducive to a restful stay.
Cleanliness
Visitors to MERKAJ HOTEL in Berat have consistently praised the establishment for its outstanding cleanliness. Guests frequently describe the hotel as extremely clean with rooms that are spotless and well-maintained. The modern and new structure contributes to the overall tidy and fresh atmosphere. Cleanliness extends to all areas, including the spacious rooms and public facilities, where everything is kept in pristine condition.
The hotel maintains a high standard of hygiene with daily cleaning routines ensuring that everything remains in top shape. Guests have commented on the impeccable cleanliness and the superb upkeep of the building, making for a comfortable stay. Even the rooms are lauded for their cleanliness, being described as fresh, clean and often featuring modern amenities.
While a few reviews noted minor imperfections, such as an odd smell in the bathroom or some elements that could be updated, these comments are rare and do not overshadow the overwhelmingly positive feedback. Overall, the cleanliness at MERKAJ HOTEL is exceptional, offering guests a worry-free and comfortable environment.
Staff
Nestled in the heart of Berat, the staff at Hotel Merkaj consistently leave an indelible mark on their guests, making their experience exceptional. Guests frequently commend the hotel's friendly, welcoming and super attentive staff who seem to naturally create an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. The family-run nature of the establishment beams through with notes of a very helpful and accommodating owner, charming hosts and a reception known for its friendliness and helpfulness.
The staff, described as friendly, super sweet and kind, always strives to meet the needs of their guests promptly and effectively, ensuring a seamless check-in process even late into the evening. The familial warmth extends to a very nice and attentive reception lady, a caring hostess who inquires about breakfast preferences and hosts who are always smiling and ready to assist.
The superb treatment at Hotel Merkaj is further highlighted by the exceptional hospitality of the attentive family. From owners to receptionists, every member of the team exudes a genuine commitment to making guests feel at home by providing excellent service and accommodating every request. This tight-knit, friendly and extremely helpful staff ensures that the hotel is not just a place to stay, but a place where guests feel welcomed and part of an extended family.
In essence, the hallmark of Hotel Merkaj is its outstanding, friendly and very kind staff who consistently go above and beyond, turning every stay into a memorable and personable experience.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi at Hotel Merkaj generally receives positive feedback from guests. Many reviewers highlighted good, reliable and even excellent Wi-Fi with strong and solid connections being a common praise. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel and in many instances, it worked well and was quite fast. However, there are some mixed reviews, as a few guests mentioned the internet working intermittently, weak signals and poor connectivity at night. Additionally, the Wi-Fi coverage does not reach all rooms consistently, which might be an inconvenience for some visitors. Despite these occasional issues, the majority of guests found the Wi-Fi satisfactory for their needs.
Parking
Hotel Merkaj offers ample parking options for guests, which makes it convenient for those arriving by car. Street parking is commonly available and is notably easy to find, often right in front of the hotel's door. Many reviews confirm that parking is free, contributing to a hassle-free experience. While the hotel doesn't have private parking, there are secure parking spaces nearby. The availability of street parking options near the hotel adds an extra layer of convenience, ensuring that guests can park their vehicles without any difficulty. Overall, the parking situation at Hotel Merkaj is highly satisfactory with guests frequently appreciating the ease and security of the available spaces.
Family
Hotel Merkaj offers an ideal stay for families, especially those traveling with children. This family-owned and operated property exudes warmth and hospitality, making guests feel right at home. The staff, including the friendly landlady and her son who speaks French, go above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. Italian-speaking guests will feel particularly welcome, as the family often communicates in Italian.
The hotel's environment is safe and accommodating for families, providing peace of mind for parents. The property is clean and well-maintained with amenities suitable for groups. Those traveling with children will appreciate the attentive and helpful nature of the family running the hotel. Whether arranging transportation or preparing breakfast, their dedication to guest satisfaction shines through. Warm, kind and super friendly, the hosts make every effort to offer a pleasant and relaxing stay.
No, Hotel Merkaj doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Merkaj.
No, Hotel Merkaj doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Merkaj.