Guest House and Hostel VAL-MAR

Location: Rruga Alqi Kondi 1, Gjirokastër, al

Star Rating: 9.4 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Family rooms
• Soundproof rooms
• Non-smoking throughout
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Key access
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• Face masks for guests available
• Delivered food - securely covered
• Thermometers for guests provided by property
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Art gallery on site
• Covered parking
• Secured parking
• Horse riding nearby
• Hosted evening meal (reserve)
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture

Rooms Available

• Deluxe King Room

  The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy a patio and an outdoor dining area. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• Deluxe Twin Room

  This air-conditioned twin room features a shared bathroom, a wardrobe, heating as well as a patio. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• Deluxe Queen Room

  The spacious double room offers air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower and a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy a patio and an outdoor dining area. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Entire unit located on ground floor
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  The dormitory room features air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. Guests can make the most of a patio and an outdoor dining area. The unit has 6 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  The dormitory room features air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a bath and a shower. The unit has 6 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  This air-conditioned dormitory room features a shared bathroom, a wardrobe, heating as well as a patio. The unit offers 6 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

• Mixed Dormitory Room

  This air-conditioned dormitory room features a shared bathroom, a wardrobe, heating as well as a patio. The unit offers 6 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Bidet
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers

Guest Reviews

• Rigers (10/5): Exceptional -
• Daniel (9/5): Superb - Really friendly staff and even came with me and helped me find a place to park my car
• Danilo (8/5): Very good -
• Roman (9/5): Superb - Great location near the Old Bazaar. Clean and generally comfortable although not all mattresses in this hostel are created equal. No one at the reception most of the time.
• Eyad (10/5): Exceptional -
• Franco (6/5): Pleasant - The owner is extremely nice. There was a young guy at the reception who wasn't very nice. As the other guests told me there were towels I went to ask this guy if he could give me one. He told me they didn't offer towels, and I answered that the other guests had and he told me: I don't know, they might have bought it. Fortunately, I run into the owner and he kindly gave me a towel as it was part of the service.
• Anamaria (9/5): Superb -
• Emilie (7/5): Great location, noisy in the evenings - Very centrally located Card payment possible They didn't seem to be prepared for my arrival, it took them some to figure out where I could sleep. I found it difficult to get a hold of them after I checked in and when I did the person who was there didn't understand English It's pretty noisy until midnight
• Dawn (8/5): Nice location - Location was central to shops and restaurants. The staff were nice. I appreciated the strong a.c in the rooms. Twice the bathroom was out of paper I watched the housekeeping staff change the sheets, but take the used blanket and put in locker for the next guest. I will not return.
• Lucia (10/5): Perfect - PERFECT location, could not be more central. The family that work there are lovely, so kind and helpful. Facilities are all clean and comfortable, two separate showers and toilets which is good. Restaurant downstairs, air con, lockers, towels provided, hanging space in the showers so your stuff doesn’t get wet… had it all. Can’t think of a fault, wish I could’ve stayed longer!
• William (10/5): Exceptional - Very good location, comfy beds and welcoming staff.
• Mousa (10/5): Exceptional - This hostel is clean and the bed is conformable. It has four separate bathrooms and showers. It have different option of 6 beds rooms or private rooms. And the location is in the center of old Bazar. It has restaurant. And Marjan is the man, he will do everythings to help you. My original plan was one day to stay, then I have extended it for additional one day. Everything was perfect.
• Nicole (8/5): Very good - Comfortable beds, good pillows and blankets. Fantastic location in the middle of the main old street. No kitchen facilities but the hosts were happy to provide hot water for my coffee 3in1’s. They also took me to the bus stop the last morning which was very kind Noisy at night - loud music from nearby bar until midnight. No kitchen facilities. Nowhere to lock valuables. There were lockers but no working keys and the lockers were full of extra blankets and towels
• Zuhayr (9/5): Great stay - Great stay. Easy location, comfortable beds, nice showers. Nil
• Algert (10/5): Exceptional - Everything was new but the style was like those traditional houses in the neighbourhood. All in all great value for your money.
• Patricia (8/5): Very good - Marian was very friendly and helpful since the first minute. He helped us with our car and lend us phone chargers. However, there was no breakfast as said in booking and the room was smaller than it seemed.
• Krista (10/5): Exceptional - Easy check in, (cash Lk) comfortable clean beds, Marrian was extra helpful in offering to park our car and providing extra blankets, (cool in March) everything worked perfect including wifi. Thankyou!! No complaints!
• Faruk (10/5): Exceptional -
• Tiffany (9/5): Great location, beautifully styled and - Beautiful stylish hostel in the heart of the old town and around the corner from the bazaar. The rooms are spotless and the bathroom modern and clean. I arrived in December out of season and was the only guest. Gjirokaster castle is a short walk away.
• Rafał (10/5): Exceptional - The host is a good human being. That should be best summary of this place. If Gjirokaster then only val mar. Thats it.
• Felix (8/5): Very good -
• Francisca (8/5): I would stay again! - Rural and cosy, super nice staff and amazing location. Some facilities to cook/breakfast included
• Tom (9/5): Excellent location, great place - Great location, very comfortable beds and excellent facilities. Not many people at this time of year so I had the room for myself most nights. I was unfortunate to have the American-Albanian music festival just under my window sill on the first night, which made it noisy, but it finished at midnight so no problem. Very quiet. The manager was not really available, difficult to ask him for suggestions of activities. Booking also states there is possibility of washing clothes, however, manager would have to take the clothes back to his place and bring them back the next day. Not necessarily a bad thing, but not exactly what I expected.
• Matthew (10/5): Exceptional - Marian goes above and beyond for everyone. The place was so good that I volunteered here for 2 weeks, right by the bazaar, very clean Nothing
• Samantha (10/5): Loved my stay, great location, in the heart of everything + such a lovely welcome from staff - Absolutely loved the location, the staff were incredibly helpful & so friendly Price was a bit higher than I had budgeted for Albania
• Lucy (10/5): Exceptional -
• Malaika (10/5): Exceptional - Loved staying here! They have the cutest rooms and the location is perfect. Bathrooms are also really nice and clean. Boss and staff (Caroline) are soo friendly and always trying to help. They also found a bed for me when I wanted to extend my stay, even though on booking it said they were fully booked. Since they just opened recently, they might add a common area, which would be a nice addition. Would always come back.
• Marife (8/5): Very good - Clean, central and friendly staff No kitchen facilities
• Ale (10/5): Best place in town - Everything was exceptional: the location is right in the middle of everything, the owner and the blond Aussie helper were exceptional friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable, the property was clean and attractive and provided all the needed comfort, and the bed was soft and showers hot. This place deserves a 15 /10. Very glad to have stayed here. I didnt like having to leave
• Sep (10/5): Exceptional -
• Tom (9/5): Superb - Great Location. Friendly Family and Staff. A Bit too noisy at night if you have a light sleep.
• Pierre (10/5): Exceptional - The staff was really helpful, the hostel really clean and with good material. Great location. A bit small though.
• Elyse (9/5): Superb -
• Sehar (10/5): Exceptional -
• Isaac (10/5): Exceptional - Owner was super nice and the volunteer Matt was extremely helpful
• Rieke (9/5): Superb - Small place but lovely
• Milou (9/5): Comfortable stay in the old part of the city - Location is perfect, in the heart of the old center. The owner is very kind and helped us with getting the right bus. The room is comfortable and clean. There is no common/chill area, it can be noisy because the bars nearby play music in the evening
• David (10/5): Exceptional -
• Hanganu (10/5): Exceptional - I loved this place. It is situated in the middle of the historical center. Everything it s well taken care of and very clean. The rooms are in a good condition and the bathrooms are very good. The staff is very friendly and helpful!
• Stuart (10/5): Exceptional -
• Amy (10/5): Exceptional - Loved the location as its in the centre, allowing you to get the full experience. Also its very clean and comfortable it made me want to stay another night
• Wenjuan (10/5): Perfect - Very friendly staffs
• Silvan (8/5): Very good -
• Milka (10/5): Excellent hostel in a central location. - Central location in old town in a street with many shops, cafes and restaurants. Spacious immaculate room within a short walking distance from the castle.
• Yamil (9/5): Superb - Is comfy and clean, the staff was really, really helpful. The location was perfect near the main tourist attraction. There was no big common area space so it was hard to interact with other people in the hostal.
• Eridjon (10/5): Exceptional -
• Marius (8/5): Very good - Very nice personal! Very friendly and helpful. The location of the hostel was perfect! Also a small balcon to relax. The kitchen was worse..
• Andrea (10/5): Exceptional - The host was amazing. The location is just at the center and you feel like a family member since you arrive!
• Bianca (8/5): Very good -
• Alexander (10/5): Perfect stay in the heart of Silver Town - VAL-MAR Guesthouse is located just in the center of Girocastro town-market. It is the biggest advantage - in the late night or in the early morning you can breath the air of the ancient town. Silver rock roof tiles , wallstones and black and white cobblestones pavements are worth to see, to walk on and even to touch... Parking place you will find like we did. Don't worry, the owner will help you. Great thanks to Rejan, mega clever boy, son of the owner, who assist us in all deals and solve all the questions we had. Hi, guy! You are the superman! Train your English)
• Hiroki (10/5): Exceptional - Budget-friendly Location Helpful owner Tidy and clean Nothing
• Pollock (10/5): I loved this place through and through and would definitely stay again. - I loved the location and the property, but most of all the staff was wonderful. 10/10 The only thing I didn’t like was the kitchen was undergoing maintenance and was mostly unusable. However, that’s temporary and there’s not much you can do about that.
• Angel (10/5): Exceptional - All was perfect
• Maria (10/5): "The hostel is super cute, and I was very well received! It's organized, clean, and I felt really comfortable!& -
• Kate (9/5): Superb -
• Arbios (10/5): Nice -
• Jorge (9/5): Superb -
• Gertian (8/5): Very good - The facility is good, very close to the center of bazar. The room was clean and confortable. The guy (Marjan) who run the facility, was gentle and helpful. Very nice place.
• Amos (10/5): Exceptional - Super friendly, had all the things that make an hostel perfect (plugs near the beds, small light, lock for luggages, small furniture in shower rooms to hold personal objects, wide letter to climb the beds, comfortable beds, ac and other details I could have not noticed. Plus it is a combination of traditional guest house together with hostel style. Location is super central
• Nicole (10/5): Great location and clean room for our stay! The property was in the city centre and loads of gorgeous restaurants and sh - Great location in the stone city of Gjirokastër and the room was cosy but perfect for the 3 of us! The property is at the top of the hill and the road is very uneven so be prepared for a decent walk with your suitcase if you don’t get a taxi up!
• Luca (10/5): Would stay again! - Perfect location! When you step outside you are surrounded by little shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. The streets are beautiful. Bed was comfortable, and the bathroom facilities were very modern and clean. Probably best shower I’ve had in my 4 months travelling Europe and the Balkins. The owners/family are all lovely and accomodating. If you’re a solo traveller looking for a really social atmosphere then this may not be for you however it was perfect for me as I was looking for a relaxing place close to everything.
• Tassadduq (10/5): Exceptional -
• Davi (10/5): Amazing! - Amazing location! The place are very cleand and the owners are very friendly! I really recommend this place to stay in Gjirokaster! The wifi sometimes doesn't work good in the rooms.
• Mariana (10/5): Exceptional - It's a family run business. They are all 3 very welcoming and do their best to help you with all your needs. It moved me having such a warm smile and welcome after a long day on the road. The location is right in the heart of the old town. The place is clean, tidy and neat.
• Wael (10/5): Lovely staff and it located inside old town - I could even pay with a card Nothing
• Lisa (9/5): Great spot - Great location! The staff was lovely It’s very close to the cafes so you can hear them in your room
• Hristo (10/5): Great hostel with great people - The place was great! The owner and his family are doing a great job with their business. They made me feel like being at my own home! I am also working as a digital nomad and the owner made sure to create my own spot, where I can work in peace. Generally, these guys make everything possible to make you feel welcome and I home. I definitely recommend it, if you go to Gjirokaster, It's ine of the best hostels I've been ao far everything was great, I can't complain about anything
• Kira (10/5): Exceptional - the owners were incredibly hospitable and would help us with anything we needed. they were flexible with check-in/out, we got our laundry done, and got dropped to the bus station with all our bags. they knew the bus times to make sure we got to our next destination. the host even bought cat food so we could feed a kitten on the street, so kind! everything was very very clean. the beds were comfortable, and the showers had good water pressure. air conditioning in the dorm was quiet and effective. the room had lockers and the wifi worked well.
• Kathinka (9/5): Nice place right in the middle of the bazaar. - Nice place in the middle of the old bazaar. The hosts where very welcoming and helpful. Free parking - ask the owners and they will help you. Breakfast on demand but we simply did go for a coffee, crepes and byreks round the corner. Evenings can be a bit noisy in the whole area because of two bars playing music until midnight (at least in August) which can be really annoying if you want to get some sleep earlier.
• Natacha (10/5): Exceptional -
• Caitlin (10/5): Exceptional - Owners went above and beyond to help every guest. Great location - right in old town. Comfortable beds and very clean. Steep hill to get there, but you could taxi easily if you wanted.
• Arshanie (10/5): Amazing stay - Marian and his wife Bona were so kind and welcoming. Marian even picked me up and dropped me off at the bus station during my stay. The hostel is so clean; both the bathrooms and rooms. The bed was super soft and comfortable. It’s located right in the center of the city. There was not a kitchen when I stayed but Marian said he is working on the kitchen and it will be available soon. Highly recommend.
• Armelle (10/5): Exceptional - Great location and great staff, they went out of their way to help me, thank you again!
• Regina (10/5): Exceptional -
• Violaine (10/5): Exceptional - Very cosy and nice! Very nice host Since it is in the historic center, it is a bit of a climb from the bus. But the emplacement is good for visiting the area
• O'donoghue (10/5): Exceptional - clean, ac, friendly owner, great location
• Stefan (8/5): Great Location - The room was a good size and was clean and comfortable. The staff were friendly and helpful. The location was great, right in the heart of the old town and close to everything. A little noisy at night - the bar around the corner plays music really loud until late, but it's not their fault!
• Ermelinda (10/5): Exceptional - Location is perfect ,quietly and also very next to main bars and old town attractions..the room is clean , spacious and we loved the light and view coming from 2 typical windows traditionally decorated.The shared bathrooms are newly renovated and clean. The ppl who run the place itself are helpfully and polite.We enjoyed our stay on its best. Totally recommended!!
• Keavenn8 (10/5): Exceptional -
• Ximena (10/5): Exceptional -
• Juljan (8/5): Very good -
• Clare (7/5): Good for a short, dorm stay. - Good dorm rooms, comfy bed, towels provided and clean bathrooms. Check in was a little rushed and I wasn't shown the facilities but easy to work out myself.
• Noah (9/5): Absolutely fantastic! A great spot to relax in the old town. - The property is located in a fantastic spot in the old town. The family was extremely accommodating - even providing an umbrella for me when it was bucketing rain one night. Everything was great!
• Anonymous (10/5): Exceptional -
• Azia (9/5): Superb -
• Romain (10/5): Exceptional -
• Hoxha (10/5): Exceptional -
• Alex (10/5): Exceptional -
• Terence (10/5): Exceptional - Clean comfortable central accomodation! Owner goes above and beyond with everything! Had everything you need
• Mirlinda (10/5): Exceptional - We had the best experience at the Guest House Hostel VAL-MAR. The rooms were clean, very comfortable, and the staff were super friendly, always there when needed. I highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Gjirokaster. Will definitely stay here again, thank you so much!
• Martin (7/5): Good - Well located, brand new. The staff was not very reactive.
• Joshi (9/5): Superb - The hostel person dropped me at the bus station on his bike as it was quite far :) Language to communicate.
• Albana (9/5): Superb -
• Winnie (10/5): Val-Mar made my stay in Gjirokaster felt like home 💝 - Very clean and tidy. Comfortable bed. Excellent location right at the heart of Gjirokaster! Bathroom is spacious. And the owner Marian is the best, offering the best help with everything 😌
• Kujto (10/5): Exceptional - guest house val mar was a wonderful place, very comfortable rooms, very hospitable hosts if you visit gjirokastre, it is the first place I would suggest for your stay, comfortable, clean rooms, above all, the location was very comfortable, being in the center of the historic city in Gjirokastre. It was a pleasure to meet the owner Mariani who was ready to help us with anything. It was a wonderful trip and I would like to visit him again

Photos