Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
It’s a new & modern hotel close to the beach. The lobby and bar area are very nice, just as the rest of the hotel. Easy parking in the basement.
Our room was large and very clean, also very comfortable. The air conditioning was very efficient. Nice, large balcony with a side sea view which was beautiful.
Unfortunately, our bathroom had this awful smell the whole time which was pretty annoying.
Breakfast was pretty good but you pay 2.50€ for cappuccino.
There’s a tiny library in the hotel.
The pool area is small. It’s generally nice and comfortable but gets really busy quickly with not enough space for everyone. People also reserve sun beds and leave for hours.
Note that it’s important to get pool towels 1st thing in the morning as they don’t seem to have enough for all guests.
The private beach is disappointing, as it doesn’t have direct access to the sea (you go down the stairs onto another beach). The beaches in this area are very rocky so bring shoes.
The service was ok. The main issue is that the employees are very, very young & inexperienced - and it shows. They do try and kind of do their job well but it really lacks professionalism and experience.
Generally, the area is VERY touristic and everything nearby is excessively overpriced and of low quality. We asked for a taxi to town and were told by the staff that their partner taxi company charges 20€ for the 15 min ride. This price is ridiculous.
While I liked the premises of the hotel, I felt the staff need more training and the hotel should offer more realistic services also via partners and not try & rip people off. The prices of the coffee, some drinks and the taxi via partner are really ridiculous but I guess these are the things that separate ok hotels from the great ones.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As mentioned in another review, I find it difficult to believe that some previous reviewers stayed at the same place. I can only surmise that there has been a change of ownership or management or, at a minimum, a radical rethink, in the last couple of years.
We found this to be a wonderful hotel from the moment we were warmly greeted by the young lady at reception (I omitted to learn her name, but she was constantly pleasant and helpful during our 3 day stay) to checking out. All the other staff we encountered were also really nice and helpful.
The room was big, modern and spotlessly clean (I did have to request toilet paper just after arrival, but it was delivered within a couple of minutes) and our balcony looked out over the sea as promised (albeit through the trees as we were on the 2nd floor). Our room had a fridge and there is a supermarket about 100 yards to the right as you come up the steps out of reception. There was no suggestion of us not being allowed to bring in drinks or snacks, which we did a couple of times. The rooftop pool area was great for afternoon relaxation (no suggestion of paying to use it) although, being late in the season, the bar wasn’t staffed. (I can’t say whether it is staffed during the season, but you can order from the bar in reception and drinks will be delivered there.) Breakfast is served inside or out in the terrace and there are 5 different combination options, which proved to be plenty. There is parking directly underneath the hotel, which was very handy.
We highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay there again if and when we’re in this part of the world.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel was amazing - so clean, everything was spotless. Location wise you can walk to restaurants or bars. Free parking under the hotel and staff were really accommodating. Pool is free to use (unsure on previously reviews saying it costs?) Breakfast was amazing. They also ironed your clothes for you free of charge.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed at this property for three nights at the beginning of my two week holiday. It was perfect in every way - quaint, modern, clean, well located, peaceful and convenient. The staff was friendly and helpful. They brought drinks to the pool if requested and were attentive to guests. There were various items in the daily breakfast, such as breads, pastries, eggs, sausage, cheeses, cereals, yogurt, fruits etc. I highly recommend this place!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I went to the Glow ice cream shop, but given how they treat tourists I didn't go back again. A small ice cream cone cost 4 euros! Not even in Milan in Piazza Duomo! Furthermore, the poor quality of the wafer melts when the ice cream starts to soak it! More on that later Going towards the center of Saranda, on the right, there is a small artisan ice cream shop that makes cones for 1 euro per scoop. Much better and above all more honest.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Andate nella gelateria più avanti!e’ anche pasticceria e fa un trileche(dolce tipico)che è una...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent two nights at The Glow Boutique Hotel during a rainy and windy weekend. Despite the weather, our stay was comfortable and warm, with stunning views through the large windows. The beds were exceptionally comfortable, dressed in crisp white linens. Our room was serviced daily, with fresh towels provided, and the staff were consistently friendly and helpful. The owners are very involved in the operation of the hotel, which was evident throughout our stay. Breakfast was excellent, and I particularly enjoyed the hotel’s omelette—it was the best I’ve had.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing hotel: Modern, clean, spacious and friendly staff. Coming from Dubai we are exposed to great standards and this hotel felt as a great as any unique boutique hotel from around the world. Cute beaches accessible. Breathtaking sunset view from rooftop pool. Loved our 3 days stay and will go again.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Underground Free Parking, beach access
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very nice place. It's clean and frendly place. It's close by to the see. Staff is frendly and speak good english. It's litle bit far from center but becuse of that you can enjoy some quiet. I recomend this place with clear conscience. In surrandings you will find lots of good restaurants. Good relation price for service.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An amazing gem ! The glow hotel was fantastic. The view was breathtaking, the pool was great and the service superb. We had a wonderful stay with them ! There is free parking and includes breakfast at the hotel.
PS : I do recommend their ice cream shop, it is totally worth the stop :)
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Parking
Breakfast included
They do not serve lunch or diner
Ice cream shop (incredible)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel "nightmare" actually started 3,5 months before our arrival at hotel Glow. After a good dialogue on e-mail, in order to book the three rooms my family and I wanted, the hotel suddenly wanted us to transfer 1000 euro in advance, for them to reserve the rooms. We had never tried this before but we thought it might be common in Albania so my dad transferred the money. One week later I received a new e-mail from the hotel stating, that they had not received any money from us and that they would cancel our rooms. I immediately sent them documentation to proof the bank transfer and two days later they wrote a new e-mail, that they had problems with their bank and that we could get the rooms as agreed, without transfer. On the day of our arrival, the receptionist called me 5 times. I did not answer, as it would cost me 10 euro pr Call. When I asked her why she had called me so many times, she simply replied "no reason". Moving on to the check in. We got the three rooms and nothing was as promised. We had booked three rooms, two with balcony and sea side view and one a third person room with sea side view. Only ONE of theese rooms could be classified as sea side view, the two others had no such thing as sea side view. Big trees, other hotels and a wall (?!) was in the way of anything looking remotly like the sea. We quickly went Down to the reception to clearify the misunderstanding and here began 1,5 hours of discussion, bad management, no willingness to cooperate and a horrible attitude from the staff. We even went to the rooms to show her, that there was no way possible, that the sea was visible from the rooms and she gave us the worst attitude, laughed at us and said, that she could see sea and that she knew the view from all rooms. After 1,5 back and forth, and while we were looking at other hotels in the area, she all of the sudden had an extra room, that we could get instead (on their fully booked hotel). We decided to stay but the bad experiences were far from over. We have never stayed at a hotel with so many restrictions and rules, as at Glow. There are rules for EVERYTHING! No exceptions. So to sum up. Stay at Hotel Glow if you want: Rude staff Poor management Rules and restrictions No soap, lotion or toilet paper Used towels No sea view from 1st to second floor Public Beach (not privat) Staff looking at every move you make and giving you elevator looks, keeping an eye on what's on your plate at the breakfast buffet, Want to spend many money at the minibar, since you can't bring your own beverages to the rooms (and yes, we Saw people having their water taken from them) They wanted us to pay for our stay in cash, because that was the Best solution for us and them, they said. We tried to explain that it would cost us 50 euro in ATM expenses, but they insisted. Even on my mothers birthday, which we celebrated during our stay at Hotel Glow, our family was not allowed to sit together. They had no tables for 7 people and we could not move tables together, as it would "ruin the design flow of the breakfast restaurant" They had approx. 15 tables inside and we were always the only family sitting inside. Coming from Durrës, where we had the Best experience at Hotel Iliria international and such friendly staff, this stay at hotel Glow was truly quite a shocking experience. My family and I would love to visit Saranda again at some point but it will never be at hotel Glow. Everyone should also consider to choose one of the other plus hundred hotels in the City. Unless you want harassment from the minute you walk in at hotel Glow.
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Date of stay: July 2019
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Saranda area.
PRICE RANGE
C$162 - C$253 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AlbaniaVlore CountySaranda
NUMBER OF ROOMS
47
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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