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Summary of reviewsHotel Kalemi, located in the heart of Gjirokaster's old town, offers travelers an exceptional base to explore the city's rich historical and cultural sites. Its prime location not only provides breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings but also places guests within walking distance of key attractions like the old bazaar, castle, and artisanal shops. The hotel sits atop a slight incline, which is easily navigable and rewarded with a serene atmosphere and ample parking facilities.
Breakfast at Hotel Kalemi is a celebrated highlight, with guests consistently praising the delicious, abundant offerings that include traditional Albanian specialties. The experience is enhanced by being served in picturesque locations such as a garden or terrace, further contributing to a memorable start to the day.
The rooms at Hotel Kalemi seamlessly blend traditional Albanian charm with modern comforts, characterized by decor elements like carved wooden ceilings and local rugs. Spacious and clean, these rooms offer guests stunning views and are equipped with well-maintained modern amenities, including plush, comfortable bedding.
Cleanliness is a hallmark of Hotel Kalemi, with meticulous attention to detail ensuring spotless rooms and common areas. The hotel's staff is frequently commended for their exceptional hospitality, demonstrating friendliness and a commitment to guest satisfaction that makes visitors feel genuinely welcomed.
Hotel Kalemi offers reliable and convenient parking, which is a significant advantage in a bustling historical area. Free Wi-Fi is available, though best enjoyed in common areas due to potential connectivity issues in some rooms.
Overall, Hotel Kalemi combines traditional charm with modern conveniences, delivering a delightful experience underscored by excellent service, comfortable accommodations, and strategic location, making it an ideal choice for travelers to Gjirokaster. Show more
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Categories
Family Friendly Hotel
This hotel allows children between the ages of 0 to 5 to stay free of charge, making it an ideal choice for families looking for a budget-friendly accommodation option. The hotel's spacious rooms and cozy amenities provide a comfortable haven for both parents and little ones.
Business Hotel
This hotel provides room service and laundry services. It's well-rated by previous guests and located near the city center.
Hotel with Parking
Hotel Kalemi offers on-site parking for guests. Its central location and provided amenities make it a practical choice for visitors looking for parking.
Small Hotel
This historic gem is a 200-year-old Ottoman-era home with sweeping views of the fortress. The hotel has carved wood ceilings, traditional stone walls, and cozy vintage touches that create a warm vibe. It's steps from Gjirokaster's Old Bazaar, fortress, and museums.
3-Star Hotel
The hotel is a budget-friendly option with a good location. It offers comfortable accommodations and is suitable for travelers looking for essential amenities.
Room Types
Double or Twin RoomRooms with a 200 year old ceiling, traditional design features, a seating area and cable TV. Some rooms have a balcony with views of the city and castle and/or a fireplace.
Triple RoomRooms with traditional design features, a seating area and cable TV. Some rooms have a balcony with views of the city and castle and/or a fireplace.
Superior Double Room with SofaProviding free toiletries and bathrobes, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a bidet and a hairdryer. The spacious air-conditioned double room provides a flat-screen TV with cable channels, soundproof walls, a minibar, a seating area as well as garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
9.0
Excellent
Location
Hotel Kalemi is renowned for its outstanding location, making it an ideal choice for travelers eager to explore the historical and cultural riches of Gjirokaster. Nestled in the heart of the old town, this hotel offers guests breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings, even on rainy days. Its strategic position provides easy walking access to the old bazaar, castle, war tunnel museum, and numerous artisanal shops, bars, and restaurants. Although the uphill drive to reach the hotel can be challenging, once there, visitors are rewarded with a serene atmosphere and the convenience of a large parking lot.
The historic building gives guests a true sense of place, offering a quiet retreat while still being centrally located. From this vantage point, exploring the city is a breeze, with everything visitors want to see and do within walking distance. Those staying at Hotel Kalemi love its proximity to the historic center and appreciate its strategic position in the city, allowing for both convenience and remarkable views. The hotel's situation on a slight incline is easily managed by guests and is complemented by the charm and warmth of the surroundings.
Breakfast
At Hotel Kalemi, breakfast is more than just a meal; it's an experience that sets a remarkable start to the day. Guests consistently praise the breakfast offerings as excellent, with descriptions highlighting its deliciousness, abundance, and traditional Albanian flair. Unlike the typical buffet seen in many hotels, Hotel Kalemi serves breakfast directly to its guests, often in the serene setting of a garden or on a terrace with stunning views. This choice setting adds an extra layer of enjoyment to an already impressive meal.
The menu boasts a plethora of homemade delights, including local specialties such as fig jam and mountain tea, often accompanied by fresh bread and omelettes. The breakfast is noted not only for its variety and quality but also its plentiful portions. Patrons enjoy these hearty meals in peaceful surroundings, whether under the shade of vine branches or overlooking breathtaking landscapes. Guests appreciate not just the flavor but the care with which each breakfast is prepared and presented. With such top-notch service and culinary offerings, breakfast at Hotel Kalemi provides a memorable culinary start to every guest's day.
Rooms
Hotel Kalemi in Albania is highly praised for its rooms, which effortlessly blend traditional charm with modern comfort. Many guests appreciate the authentic Albanian decor, including beautifully carved wooden ceilings and doors, and the use of local rugs that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the rooms. The accommodations vary in size, with many reviews highlighting spacious rooms that provide ample comfort. Several reviews mention the delight of mornings spent enjoying breathtaking views, whether it's of the fascinating cityscape, the majestic castle, the surrounding valley, or the striking mountains. Many rooms are further elevated by their cleanliness and high standard of facilities, including modern, well-equipped bathrooms.
The hotel offers a comfy and cozy atmosphere, regardless of the room size, with smaller rooms not compromising on comfort. Heating control, cozy beds, and fully equipped spaces ensure guest satisfaction. Guests often accentuate the extraordinary breakfast served in the garden, which mirrors the same quality and care seen in the room settings. The views from the suite rooms are particularly spectacular, underscoring a stay filled with scenic beauty.
The authentic and historic character of Hotel Kalemi is not lost on visitors, with its notable Osman charm and carved wooden details receiving special mention. Situated conveniently not far from the center, this clean and comfortable hotel stands out for its attentive service, with staff being described as very helpful and polite. With a generous and comfortable parking lot and a variety of rooms that cater to different preferences, Hotel Kalemi is celebrated for delivering memorable stays infused with local essence and modern convenience.
Beds
Hotel Kalemi offers an impressive experience for guests looking for a comfortable stay. Many reviews highlight the beds as particularly commendable, with frequent mentions of their comfort. Guests describe the bedding as good and note that large comfortable beds contribute to a restful night's sleep. The rooms are often praised as fantastic and perfect, with the cleanliness complementing the overall comfort. While the majority of reviews are positive, there is a note that one bed could benefit from an update due to its firmness. However, the consensus among guests is that the hotel provides a super comfortable sleeping environment.
Cleanliness
Hotel Kalemi consistently receives praise for its high standards of cleanliness, which makes it a notable destination for travelers who value hygiene and tidiness during their stays. Guests are often impressed by the spacious, clean rooms and spotless bathrooms, with some describing the cleanliness as extraordinary and even sterile. The establishment as a whole maintains a well-kept appearance, reflecting a strong commitment to cleanliness throughout the property. The bedding and linens also receive commendations for being clean and inviting, ensuring a comfortable stay. The attention to cleanliness spans across all areas, including the tidy presentation of the impeccable breakfast offerings. Overall, guests of Hotel Kalemi can expect a very clean and comfortable environment, paired with the charm of its Old Town location.
Staff
Hotel Kalemi stands out as a beacon of exceptional hospitality, consistently praised for its superb staff who embody friendliness, professionalism, and attentiveness. Guests frequently remark on the team's incredible kindness and their eagerness to cater to various needs, making everyone feel warmly welcomed and at home from the moment they arrive. Staff members are noted for their charm and helpfulness, offering everything from insightful tips on local eateries to going above and beyond to ensure guest satisfaction.
Within this authentic old residence, the guests experience what feels like personalized care; whether they arrive early or need assistance in navigating their plans, the staff's attentiveness never falters. There's a notable emphasis on the genuine comfort offered by the hotel’s personnel, with many reviews highlighting the smiles and warm greetings that enhance their stay.
It’s not uncommon to hear guests referring to specific staff members, such as Irwin, who exemplify the exceptional service ethos at the hotel. This focus on providing excellent service is coupled with a delightful, friendly approach that leaves guests feeling both pampered and appreciated. The team is well-versed in several languages, contributing to a seamless and enjoyable experience for international travelers.
Overall, the consistent praise for the staff underlines the superb guest experience at Hotel Kalemi, where visitors can expect a truly welcoming environment accompanied by professional and proactive service.
Wi-Fi
Hotel Kalemi offers varying experiences with its Wi-Fi, catering especially well to guests using common areas. Many visitors noted that the Wi-Fi operates smoothly in the shared spaces, making these areas ideal for staying connected. However, guests with rooms located further from these common zones, such as room 6, encountered challenges with connectivity. The thick walls of the hotel can affect Wi-Fi coverage, leading to slower or non-existent service in certain private rooms. At times, upgrades to the system may cause temporary unavailability, though improvements are often expected. While the hotel does provide free Wi-Fi, its efficiency and coverage can be a significant consideration for those prioritizing internet access during their stay.
Parking
Hotel Kalemi offers a variety of parking options that guests consistently find convenient and reliable. Despite its location on the outskirts of the old town, navigating through the steep and narrow alleys to reach the hotel is worthwhile as ample and easy parking awaits. A private and reserved parking area is available directly on-site, providing guests with a hassle-free experience. This is a rare find in the bustling area of Gjirokaster, making parking, which can often be a challenge, remarkably straightforward at this hotel. The large and comfortable parking lot right at the door adds to the convenience, with plenty of free spaces available for those traveling by car. The availability of parking is one of Hotel Kalemi's highlights, ensuring peace of mind for guests visiting the historical area.
3 Star
Hotel Kalemi offers a charming blend of tradition and style, capturing the essence of Albanian hospitality. Situated on the edge of Gjirokaster's old town, it provides an authentic experience just a short walk from the bustling local market. This historic hotel is housed in a lovely old building that adds to the charm of the experience. Guests consistently praise the quality-price ratio, highlighting its suitability as a simple yet effective base for exploring the old city. The delicious breakfasts served are a highlight for many, enhancing the overall hospitality experience. The staff stand out for their friendliness, often making guests feel like part of the family. This three-star hotel maintains a good standard, offering a delightful stay with genuine warmth through every phase of the visit.
No, Hotel Kalemi doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hotel Kalemi.
No, Hotel Kalemi doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hotel Kalemi.