VH Eurostar Tirana Hotel Congress & Spa

This hotel is frequently chosen for its central location, offering convenient access to the city center and various attractions, making it a suitable option for sightseers and those who prefer exploring on foot. However, guests should be prepared for a highly inconsistent experience, particularly regarding room conditions and additional charges. While some visitors found the hotel to be modern and clean, many encountered significant issues with room amenities, maintenance, and staff professionalism. For budget-conscious travelers, the initial price might seem appealing, but it is crucial to be aware of the numerous hidden fees and unexpected costs that can significantly increase the overall expense. To ensure a smoother stay, it is advisable to confirm all charges and room specifications directly with the hotel prior to arrival and manage expectations regarding the quality of amenities and service.

Facilities & Amenities
Guest feedback on the hotel's facilities, particularly the spa area, is highly mixed and often negative. While the presence of a pool, sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi is advertised, many guests reported significant issues. The spa often incurs an additional charge, sometimes for just towels and slippers, despite being advertised as included. Cleanliness is a major concern, with reports of dirty pool water, rust, mold, and water leaks. Functionality is also problematic, as the hammam and sauna often fail to heat properly, and the jacuzzi may not be warm. Some guests noted a lack of basic amenities like proper changing rooms, showers, lockers, or hair dryers within the spa. Wi-Fi speed was frequently described as poor, and some rooms had issues with electrical outlets popping out.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The cleanliness and comfort of the rooms receive highly inconsistent reviews. While some guests found their rooms to be clean and well-kept, others reported significant issues, including dirty toilet seats, mold, crumbling walls, and stained towels or blankets. Room sizes often did not match advertised descriptions, with many guests receiving much smaller rooms than expected. A pervasive problem across numerous reviews is the malfunctioning air conditioning and heating systems, leaving rooms either too cold or too warm. Bed comfort also varies, with some praising comfortable mattresses and pillows, while others encountered broken beds or even bed bugs. Noise from adjacent rooms, including shouting and loud music, was a frequent complaint, disturbing sleep. Essential in-room amenities like toothpaste, iron, coffee makers, proper trash bins, sufficient power outlets, and kettles were often missing. Bathrooms were sometimes described as smelly, with broken showers or dirty showerheads.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining and food quality is predominantly negative, especially concerning breakfast. Many guests described the breakfast as very poor, basic, and repetitive, offering limited options such as low-quality coffee, warm milk or juice, and dry bread or croissants. Food items were often not replenished quickly enough, leading to long waits. The hotel's restaurant also received criticism for being overpriced and having a limited menu, sometimes offering only a choice between soup or pasta, or chicken and pork. Claims of "all-inclusive" packages were frequently misleading, with guests finding that only a main meal and a single soft drink were provided, with no snacks, coffee, or alcohol included. Some guests opted to dine outside the hotel due to the unsatisfactory quality and limited choices.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a significant advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of the city center, main squares, and various attractions. Its proximity to a supermarket is also appreciated for convenience. However, parking is a major point of contention. Despite being advertised as available, it is rarely free and often comes with a substantial daily charge, which many guests felt was excessive and a "scam" compared to public parking rates. Access to the parking area was described as difficult, with some likening it to a "horror movie" experience. Finding the hotel itself can also be challenging due to one-way streets in the area. While the immediate vicinity is convenient, some guests expressed concerns about the surrounding neighborhood.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with staff and service are highly polarized. Many guests praised the staff as friendly, polite, helpful, and attentive, particularly highlighting their willingness to assist with taxis and housekeeping. Some reported quick check-in processes and positive interactions. Conversely, a significant number of guests reported staff as rude, unprofessional, arrogant, uncooperative, and dismissive. Common complaints include staff attempting to overcharge for services or taxes, failing to address room issues like malfunctioning air conditioning or heating, and being unresponsive to messages or complaints. Instances of overbooking and guests being moved to different rooms or even other hotels without proper communication or compensation were also frequently reported, leading to considerable frustration and a sense of being misled.

Additional Information
A recurring and significant theme in guest reviews pertains to hidden fees and misleading booking information. Many guests reported being charged unexpected and substantial amounts upon arrival for various "taxes" or "administration fees" that were not clearly disclosed during booking, leading to accusations of "scamming." These charges varied widely and often seemed arbitrary. The hotel's management was frequently criticized for a perceived lack of maintenance, with guests noting general disrepair and a feeling that the property had been "abandoned." Communication issues were also prevalent, with the hotel often failing to respond to messages or booking change requests. Guests also expressed concerns about the hotel's policy regarding the handling of personal card data.