A decent little hotel about 15 mins walk from Skandenburg Square. The area is described in the Bradt guide as unsafe but, even though it was a little dark, we had no problems at all - the area is being refurbished but it is a little scuzzy (compared to the Block, for instance).

The hotel is shoehorned amongst apartment blocks and is kept clean and pleasant. The outdoor space advertised is non-existent and there are no public areas except for the pleasant breakfast room.

The owners are friendly but did try to overcharge us on the last day. It may have been an error but I had to go to an internet cafe and print out the confirmation email to "prove" that I would only pay the quoted price - which was $40 per room per night: not cheap in a city where a main course in a top end restaurant comes in at about $6.

The rooms themselves were not great: they were clean and moderately spacious but the beds were not the most comfortable and the blanket was not quite big enough on the double to cover 2 people. The shower was more of a tepid water dribble, but we had been warned to expect this in Tirana.

The breakfast was a mixed bag: the cakes were lovely, the coffee was not.

Recommended with reservation but definitely try to negotiate the price down before staying