Hotel Star in Sarandë, a central base with a welcoming owner
Hotel Star is a hotel in the centre of Sarandë, on Albania's coast, a short walk from the main avenue, the bus station, the ferry port and the beach. It offers free parking, breakfast and a friendly owner, so it suits couples, friends and independent travellers who want a clean, well-placed base.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Hotel Star.
Where Hotel Star is in Sarandë and how to get around
Hotel Star stands on Rruga Lefter Talo in the middle of Sarandë, about 50 m from the main avenue according to its listing. It works as a base you can do on foot, which is exactly why so many guests rate it highly.
Guests say the bus station, the ferry port, the shops, the restaurants and the beach are all within walking distance. One guest even mentions that the staff prepared a quick breakfast before an early ferry. Another calls the area quiet enough for a good night's sleep, which is not a given in a seaside town centre.
There is free private parking, so you can also arrive by car and then leave it alone for the rest of the stay.
What the rooms and facilities are like
Most rooms at Hotel Star have air conditioning, a private bathroom with a shower or bathtub, slippers and a flat-screen TV. Some have a balcony with a sea or garden view. Guests describe the rooms as new, clean, spacious and comfortable.
Here is what the property offers, according to its listing.
- Free Wi-Fi throughout, a bar and a restaurant on site, and a terrace.
- A complimentary continental or full breakfast. Guests call it varied, and one says they can make you an omelette.
- Reception open around the clock, daily housekeeping and room service.
- Family rooms, non-smoking rooms, and staff who speak Greek, English, Spanish and Italian.
One guest liked the air conditioning's night mode, a small detail that matters in a hot Albanian summer.
What guests praise most
Hotel Star holds 4.6 out of 5 from 198 Google reviews, and the praise follows a very clear pattern. Almost every guest talks about the owner first and the building second.
Many describe him as helpful, honest and welcoming, someone who gives restaurant tips and helps arrange trips. One long-stay guest called the involved, caring owners the main difference and the biggest value. After that come cleanliness, the central location and the value for money, which several guests call excellent for the price range.
Breakfast gets good marks too, though not unanimous ones. Some find it very good, with variety every morning, while another guest simply calls it ok.
What to know before you book
The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, but I always look for the catches. Here is what I found, and none of it looks serious.
- Wi-Fi and hot water. A few remarks mention occasional Wi-Fi fluctuations and water escaping from the shower. A guest who stayed two weeks said they never had weak Wi-Fi or a lack of hot water in the morning.
- The view. Only some rooms have a balcony with a sea or garden view. If that matters to you, ask when you book rather than hoping.
- The breakfast. Do not expect a huge buffet. It is described as good and varied, but also as simply ok by one guest.
The information I have does not mention a pool or a private beach. The beach is a walk away, and that suits me better than a resort feel, but you should know it before you arrive.
Who Hotel Star suits
I would pick it for couples, friends and solo travellers who want to explore on foot, take the ferry or hop on an intercity bus, and come back to a clean room and a host who knows the town. It also works well as a base for local excursions and tours, as one guest pointed out.
Families are covered too, since it has family rooms. If you want a big hotel with a pool, a spa and a long list of activities, this is not it. It is a friendly, practical place, and its strength is the person running it.
What to do around Sarandë
Sarandë gives you the sea, the old castle above town and some of the best-known sights in southern Albania within reach. The distances below come from the hotel's listing.
| Place | How far from Hotel Star |
|---|---|
| Bus station, ferry port, shops and beach | Walking distance |
| Lëkurësi Castle | About 1 km |
| Ksamil beaches | About 20 km |
| Butrint National Park | About 22 km |
If you fancy a different kind of stay in the same town, Mapiola also lists Siro Kerma Private Beach Villa in Sarandë. I do not have its details to compare, so check its page before you decide.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
