VH Premier AS Tirana Hotel Albania

Tirana's HOTTEST Hotel: VH Premier AS - Unbelievable Views & Luxury!

Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, luxurious world of Tirana's VH Premier AS Hotel. I'm talking about the place that's currently sizzling on the Albanian hotel scene, the one with the Unbelievable Views & Luxury plastered all over its website. And trust me, after spending a week there – or, ahem, attempting to spend a week there – I’ve got some, let’s just say, opinions.

First off, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. This review will be chaotic, but comprehensive, just like my life.

Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, Honey!

Wheelchair Accessible? – Yes! (Mostly) The elevator is your friend. But… getting around some of the common areas (like the pool?!) could be a bit of a challenge. Check with them in advance; be very thorough in your questioning.
Elevator: Yep, thank god, or climbing all those floors would've broken me.
Facilities for disabled guests: Present, but, again, enquire directly as to the specifics.

Internet, Internet, Everywhere, But Is It Fast? (and Free?!)

Wi-Fi: ALL ROOMS! Free! – Yes! Bless them! Literally, the first thing I did after checking in was test the speed. Okay, it wasn't blazing fast, like, you know, teleportation speed. But it was more than acceptable for streaming, video calls (important, because my mom would never be satisfied if I didn't call her every single day), and scrolling through Instagram, which are the essentials, right?
LAN: … I vaguely remember seeing a port on the desk. Honestly, who even uses LAN these days? No, I didn’t try it. I was too busy, you know, living.
Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yes! Also free. Decent.

Cleanliness and Safety - Feeling Secure?

Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol: Okay, honestly, this part impressed me. I'm a total germaphobe. Seriously. The amount of hand sanitizer stations everywhere was reassuring, and I saw staff constantly wiping down surfaces.
Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Yes! Seeing staff actively cleaning made me feel safe, even with the general post-COVID paranoia still rattling around in my brain.
Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay, fine. You can opt out. I didn’t. Why risk it?
First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Excellent. (I didn’t need either, thankfully, but it's good to know they're available.)

Getting Around (and Getting Lost?)

Airport transfer: Yes! I took it. Super easy after that long flight. Worth the extra cost to avoid the taxi madness.
Car park: Free! (That's a win in itself!) And valet parking, if you're feeling posh.
Taxi service: Available. You can get one, but I'd stick with the hotel-arranged ones. They'll have more experience dealing with the general chaos that makes up Tirana roads.
Bicycle parking: Unsure, because who bikes around Tirana?
Car power charging station: Another one!

Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): My Personal Paradise or Pitfall?

Okay, this is where it gets juicy. They’re selling ‘luxury’ here, and I’m here to expose it.

Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Meh. It's there. Pretty standard hotel gym. If you're a serious fitness fanatic, you’ll probably be disappointed. If, like me, you occasionally feel guilty about your eating habits and think about working out, it's perfect.
Pool with view: Yes! And the view is stunning. Sunsets? Forget about it. Bring your camera, because these views are going straight to your Instagram. However, getting a sunbed could be a battle.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, see above.
Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Massage: Okay, this is where the hotel almost redeemed itself from my initial disappointment…
- The Spa: The spa was genuinely luxurious. I splurged on a massage. I felt like I’d melted into the chair. The masseuse was divine, the aromatherapy was on point, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot how ridiculously expensive my airfare had been.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Stomach's Tale

Restaurants: Multiple! And this is where things get… complicated, because a lot of their claims about the food? Well, they could definitely improve.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Both available, but they could be a bit more consistent.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Okay, they try. And sometimes, they succeed. But the food quality is inconsistent.
- Desserts in restaurant: This was a massive letdown.
- Happy hour, Poolside bar, Bar: The bar is nice. The cocktails are… okay. Not amazing, not terrible. The happy hour specials are a good deal, and the pool bar is essential for those sunset views.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! And convenient, but expect the same hit-or-miss food quality.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast: The buffet was extensive. Lots of options. But some of the hot food was, shall we say, less than piping hot. And trying to make the staff understand a simple request for “just more coffee” was a daily battle.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: The coffee shop was my saving grace. Actually decent coffee. Essential.
- Snack bar: Hit and miss. But perfect for when you’re stuck by the pool and don't want to put on your clothes.
- Bottle of Water: Daily, in the room. Always appreciated.
- Alternative meal arrangement, Vegetarian restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Okay options.

Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter

Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Yes. Always useful.
Concierge: Helpful, but the concierge was sometimes overwhelmed. Expect a bit of a wait.
Daily housekeeping: Excellent! My room was always spotless.
Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Yes! Very handy.
Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: Necessary.
Facilities for disabled guests: Yes.

For the Kids – The Little Rascals and Their Parents

Babysitting service: Available. Don’t know anyone with kids!
Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn’t see any, which felt weird. Definitely not the most kid-friendly hotel I’ve ever seen.

Rooms: The Heart of the Matter

Soundproof rooms: Yes! Thank GOD, they are!
Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area: Essential. Albania gets HOT.
Window that opens: Yes, thank goodness! I can’t stand hotels that don’t let me breathe fresh air.
Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Desk, Extra long bed, Linens, Mini bar, Refrigerator, Non-smoking, Reading light, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella: ALL PRESENT! Yay.
Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Scale, Seating area, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Smoke alarms, Satellite/cable channels, Sofa, Soundproofing, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]. ALL PRESENT!
Room decorations: Very stylish. Modern. Clean lines. A bit… sterile for my taste, but definitely pleasing on the eye.
In-room safe box: Present. Always a good touch.
Additional toilet: Present.
Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Free bottled water: Always appreciated! The little things make a difference.
Daily housekeeping: Excellent!

In Conclusion…The Verdict

So, is the VH Premier AS Hotel the “hottest” in Tirana? Well, it tries! It has the potential. The views are genuinely outstanding. The spa is lovely. The service is… improving. The location

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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't going to be your sanitized, Pinterest-perfect itinerary. This is real travel. And we're starting in Albania, at the VH Premier AS Tirana Hotel. Wish me luck, because I'm, let's just say, easily overwhelmed by opulent hotels.

VH Premier AS Tirana: Diary of a Slightly Disheveled Tourist

Day 1: Arrival, Albanian Welcome (and a Mild Panic Attack)

8:00 AM (ish): Landed in Tirana. Plane was late. Always is. Got the 'look' from the passport control guy – the one that says, "You, tourist, are going to need help." He wasn't wrong. My luggage, bless its heart, took a scenic route through the oversized baggage carousel. Lost my debit card, which nearly launched me into a full-blown existential crisis right there in the airport. Found it. Inside a sock. Don't judge.
9:30 AM: Taxi to the hotel. The driver, bless his soul, drove like he was auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel. Scenery whizzed by, a blur of buildings and a general feel of "organized chaos" that I quickly learned was just…Albania.
10:30 AM: Arrived at the VH Premier AS Tirana. Wow. Shiny. Too shiny. Marble floors! Crystal chandeliers! People in sharp suits looking… important. Immediately felt like I'd somehow wandered into a James Bond film and was woefully underdressed. Checked in (after fumbling with my passport and mispronouncing "Shqipëri" – the Albanian word for Albania, much to the amusement of the receptionist).
11:00 AM: Room. Gorgeous, actually. Panoramic view of Tirana. Tempted to just stay here forever and order room service. But, duty calls! (Mostly because my stomach's rumbling like a disgruntled volcano)
12:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered something called "Tavë Kosi" – a baked lamb and yogurt dish. It was…interesting. Let's just say I’m more of a "standard-issue sandwich" kind of person, when in Albania. The waiter, however, was lovely and patient with my mangled Albanian attempt at trying to order. He even helped me navigate the menu, looking out for the "least-adventurous" options.
2:00 PM: Walkabout Tirana. Oh my god, this city. So vibrant! The colours! The noise! The seemingly endless stream of scooters! Visited Skanderbeg Square (massive). Took a picture of the Et'hem Bey Mosque. Failed miserably at trying to understand the Albanian alphabets and then gave up. Felt a little overwhelmed. Probably should have eaten more lunch.
4:00 PM: Got lost. Badly. Wandered down a side street that turned into a gravel road and then into what might have been someone's backyard. Eventually, found a kind lady who pointed me back towards the main streets. In Albanian (which, of course, I didn't understand). Thankfully, she gestured and pointed with such conviction, even I understood. Bought a bottle of water from a kiosk. It was gloriously cold.
6:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Collapsed on the bed. Did a quick inventory of my emotional state: Slightly stressed, mildly exhilarated, and desperately in need of a strong cup of tea.
7:30 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Tried the "Grilled Octopus." It was… chewy. Pretty sure my jaw muscles got a workout. Spent the rest of the evening nursing a glass of wine and attempting to decipher the Albanian news channels, which was like trying to read hieroglyphics after a few glasses of wine.
9:00 PM: Bed. Praying for a good night's sleep. And that the hotel wasn't haunted. Because, you know, marble floors and chandeliers – the perfect recipe for ghosts.

Day 2: Culture, Coffee (and a Near Disasterous Bus Ride)

8:00 AM: Breakfast. The breakfast buffet was an absolute feast. Seriously, I think I'm becoming a breakfast food critic, because their selection was magnificent. Managed to load up on various pastries. I could get used to this life.
9:00 AM: Visited the National Museum of History. Albania's history is… complex, to put it mildly. The museum was excellent, but it was a lot to absorb. Felt a bit like taking a college course on speed.
11:00 AM: Coffee time! Found a tiny cafe and ordered a macchiato (my usual go-to for anything when I'm clueless). The coffee was strong, delicious, and basically brought me back to life. The people-watching was even better. Albanians are stylish. Even in their casual clothes, they looked like they'd just stepped off a runway (or a music video).
12:00 PM: Lunch in the Blloku district. Saw some old bunkers! (They're EVERYWHERE!). Tried a restaurant with a charming name. Had some "Byrek" (savory pastry). Yum.
2:00 PM: The bus ride. Oh, the bus ride. Decided to be adventurous and take a public bus to a nearby town. Got on the wrong bus. Ended up in a suburb I'd never even heard of. The bus driver, bless his heart, tried to explain how to get back to Tirana in Albanian. No luck. Then he yelled at me (in Albanian, of course). I decided to get off. Wandered around in a haze of confusion, then found a taxi back to the hotel.
4:00 PM: Recovering. At the hotel bar. Whiskey, neat. Needed it.
5:00 PM: Decided to chill. Because there was no way I was getting on another bus (ever again).
7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Ate the best pizza of my life. (I suspect I might be easily impressed, let's be honest).
8:30 PM: Trying to plan the next day. Which is proving difficult. Decisions. So many decisions!

Day 3: Berat (The City of a Thousand Windows), and Departure (or at least, the idea of it)

9:00 AM: Planned to go to Berat today. Booked a transfer. Packed a picnic lunch. Feel proud of myself!
10:00 AM: Left for Berat on a private transfer. The drive was stunning: I mean, truly breathtaking. Green valleys, rolling hills, and villages that looked like they'd been plucked straight from a fairytale.
12:30 PM: Arrived in Berat. The city. The stone houses. The thousand windows. I swear, it's even prettier in person.
1:00 PM: Wandered the cobbled streets. Took approximately 500 photos. I would be here forever if I could! Ate my picnic lunch.
3:00 PM: Explored the Berat Fortress. Climbed a steep hill in the heat and with a full belly. Worth it.
5:00 PM: Transfer back to Tirana. Exhausted, but happy.
7:00 PM: One last dinner at the hotel.
8:00 PM: Packed. The suitcase is overflowing with souvenirs (many of which are actually just Albanian flags).
9:00 PM: Contemplating my time in Albania. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, food, and general disorientation. But I loved every minute of it.
10:00 PM: Sleep. Flight in the morning. Hopefully, I won't lose my passport this time.

Day 4: Goodbye (For Now, Albania!)

6:00 AM: Wake up, full of dread (and the echo of the last taxi ride).
7:00 AM: Breakfast. One last pastry for the road.
8:00 AM: Checked out. Actually said "Mirupafshim!" (Goodbye) to the receptionist, which felt like a personal victory.
8:30 AM: Taxi to the airport. Fingers crossed.
9:30 AM: Arrived at the airport. Passport control was less judgmental this time. Maybe they'd gotten used to me.
10:30 AM: Flight. So long, Albania! Until next time, when I know at least some basic Albanian phrases (and maybe understand the bus system).

Post-Trip Thoughts:

Albania, you were a glorious mess. And I can't wait to come back and get even messier. The food, the people, the chaos… it was all part of the adventure. I’m pretty sure I also lost and found myself in the process. And that, my friends, is the best kind of travel. Just remember to pack extra socks. And an extra bottle of whiskey… you'll need it.

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VH Premier AS: You've GOTTA Know This Before You Go! (Seriously)

Okay, the "Unbelievable Views" part...is that hype? Like, REALLY?

Listen, I’m a cynical New Yorker. I’ve seen “unbelievable views” that were…well, less than. But the VH Premier AS? Okay, fine, they weren't lying. That view? From my room? Jaw-dropping. Seriously. I spent a good hour just staring out the window, forgetting I’d even unpacked. It’s Tirana sprawled before you, a tapestry of colors, mountains in the distance… It's almost too much, you know? Makes you feel like you can…I don't know…rule the world. (Or at least, manage your emails effectively. Baby steps.) Don't expect THAT view from every room, though. Ask for a high floor. And maybe bring binoculars. Just saying.

Minor Caveat: I did have a slight heart attack trying to figure out how to open the curtains on day one. Turns out, there's a *button* panel. I felt incredibly stupid. But hey, the view was worth the initial humiliation, right?

Is it really as luxurious as they claim? I see a lot of marble...

Marble. Everywhere. It's like living in a palace built by a very stylish, albeit slightly obsessed, Roman emperor. And it's GOOD marble. Slick, shiny, and cold. Which, let me tell you, is *amazing* after a long, hot day of exploring Tirana. The beds are comfy. REALLY comfy. I might or might not have considered smuggling the pillows home. Okay, I *did* consider it. The toiletries smell divine...but (and this is a small gripe) they were *tiny*. Like, travel-sized-for-ants tiny. I went through the shower gel in, like, two showers. Maybe pack your own, unless you want to feel like a giant.

Food! Is the restaurant as good as the hype? Because, honestly, I'm picky.

Alright, spill the tea. The restaurant? "The Veranda" (or something like that). Generally, yes. It's GOOD. Breakfast buffet? Legendary. Like, I ate enough burek (Albanian savory pastry) to fuel a small army. The coffee was excellent (a crucial detail for a coffee addict like myself). The dinner? A bit more…hit or miss. Some dishes were absolutely divine, others… well, they were fine. My biggest issue? The pacing. Sometimes, the courses arrived faster than a speeding bullet. Other times, I swear I aged a year waiting for my pasta. It was a rollercoaster of impatience and deliciousness. Just be prepared to flag down a waiter if you're on a schedule. Or, you know, embrace the slow-food vibe and just…relax. Easier said than done, I know.

I'm seeing conflicting reviews about the service. What's the real deal?

This is where things get a little…complicated. Some staff members? Absolutely lovely. Friendly, helpful, genuinely wanting to make your stay perfect. Others? Let's just say there's room for improvement. (And that's putting it mildly.) The front desk was generally efficient, but once, I asked for extra towels, and it took, like, four hours and three phone calls to arrive. FOUR HOURS! That’s practically a lifetime in towel-less despair. The language barrier was sometimes a factor. My Albanian is, shall we say, nonexistent. But overall? It's a bit inconsistent. Some days, it's flawless. Other days, you're left wondering if you accidentally wandered into a different dimension. My advice? Be patient. Be polite. And maybe have Google Translate handy.

What's the deal with the location? Is it easy to get around?

The location is generally pretty good. It's not slap-bang in the absolute *center* of everything, but a short taxi ride (or a decent walk) gets you to the main attractions. The area itself is a little quieter, which is a nice break from the sometimes-frantic energy of Tirana. Be warned, though: traffic can be…intense. Allow extra time for traveling, especially during peak hours. Driving is a *sport* in Tirana. I'm pretty sure the rules of the road are more suggestions than hard-and-fast laws. So, yeah, taxis are your friend. Or embrace the chaos and rent a scooter (at your own peril!). I chose taxis.

Alright, the pool. Is it as Instagrammable as it looks? And is it even… good?

Okay. The pool. Let's talk about the pool. The "Instagrammable" aspect is *absolutely* accurate. It's gorgeous. Infinity edge, stunning views, lounge chairs galore… it's a visual feast. Now, is it good? Well, it depends on what you're after. If you're looking for a quiet, zen-like experience? Maybe not. It can get busy. *Really* busy. Sunbathers, splashing kids, the occasional shrieking of delight (and frustration). I went there once, and it was a bit…much. I enjoy people-watching, sure, but I prefer it at a safe distance, preferably with a stiff cocktail in my hand. The water was clean and cool, though, which was a major plus on a scorching Albanian afternoon. Overall? Gorgeous, but temper expectations if you're craving tranquility. And grab a good spot EARLY. Otherwise, you'll be fighting for a chaise lounge like a seasoned warrior.

So, is the VH Premier AS worth the hype... and the price tag?

Look, it's not a budget hotel. It's a splurge. Is it worth the splurge? Honestly? Yes. For the views alone, it's almost worth it. The luxury is undeniable. The food is generally good, the pool is stunning. Yes, there are some imperfections (the service being the biggest one). But overall? It's a memorable experience. Would I stay there again? Absolutely. In a heartbeat. Even with the tiny toiletries and the occasional towel-related delays. Just go in with your eyes open, a healthy dose of patience, and a camera ready. You won't be disappointed. (Unless the curtains don't work. Then, you're on your own, pal.)

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