The Best Hotels in Albania, the Next Big Balkan Destination | Condé Nast Traveler

"Sitting on the edge of the lake near Grand Park, about a 15-minute taxi ride from Tirana’s center, I loved the lakeside location and the indoor and outdoor pools that provide much-needed serenity away from the city. The 49 rooms and suites feature stylish neoclassical interiors by Italian architects Cross Design, all with Lavazza coffee machines and many with balconies offering panoramic views of the lake, skyline, and mountains; marble bathrooms, warm wooden floors, and oyster-colored velvet curtains create a restful atmosphere and the rooms smell divine. Breakfast is a huge spread of fresh, homemade dishes with à la carte options, complimentary cakes, fruit, and water at reception, and a basement pool, sauna, steam room, and reasonably priced spa treatments make it appealing year-round; Restaurant Eden and the bar cover everything from leisurely lunches to classic cocktails, and locals often come to sit poolside and enjoy the lakeside breeze." - Katie Monk