I loved our hotel at Theth. Theth is tiny. Hotel Kulla e Bajraktarit is isolated on a mountain road. An oasis. The name means castle of Mr Bajraktarit.
I had trouble remembering the name. First, I got, castle, how cool is that, K as in German Cassel for castle. Then I remembered a badge, and rack up a bill (for raki, the local brandy strength drink), finally tarith, or tar (gravel) road (w)ith ..." Baj- rak-tar-it. i put the hotel room key and address card in a conference name card holder on a lanyard around my neck.
Let's start with what I liked most.
The Spa
The hotel was isolated, but with an indoor spa, open from 10 am until 10 at night. The swimming pool water was cold for some. The pool had a Jacuzzi in the corner and once you worked out that you had to tread on the blue light on the floor to activate it, that was great. The sauna was downstairs, and a steam room. I loved the refrigerated cabinet of water, all with herbs in the large water jars. Also, while using the spa, we got chatting to other hotel visitors from overseas who were users of the spa pool area or sauna.
Reading Corner
Upstairs by the window are a couple of sofas. And a sideboard supporting books to read. I read through most of a novel (the start and end). Then I read most of a book of short stories.
Big Breakfast With Honey Yogurt
Breakfast included yogurt and honey and fresh fruit and fried eggs and boiled eggs, sausages, and domed pancakes to which you could add the runny honey. And freshly squeezed orange juice. On a couple of occasions, latecomers found the yogurt in served in drinking glasses had run out. One member asked and got a spare one. I didn't. The next day, I was earlier.
Delicious Chocolate Birthday Cake
My husband had a birthday and we asked for a birthday cake. The cost was 40 euros. The cake was large enough for 30 pieces for our group. We were all delighted with the chocolate and cream cake.
Beautiful Beds With Perfect Pillows
The beds were so comfortable, and the pillows were perfect.
We took Wizzair from Luton to Tirana, the capital of Albania. The early morning start meant losing a lot of sleep. So we really appreciated relaxing and supportive beds. Thick mattresses. Soft overlay.
Tip One For Travellers - Pack Hangers
A couple of warnings to other travellers, or a return visit. They provided bath robes and slippers and shampoo etc, but only two hangers per person. So do take a stack of wire hangers from dry cleaners. We thought of buying hangers. No supermarkets for miles and only the sorts selling bottles of drink and crisps. Sometimes I pack all my clothes on wire hangers for quick unpacking and repacking.
Tip Two - Toilet Roll Holder
The other lack was a toilet roll holder. The lovely Fiona on the desk, whose family run the hotel, assured me that toilet roll holders were on order. But the hotel has been open 18 months and still no toilet roll holders.
If I returned for an extended stay, I would pack one of those wooden racks which hold a kitchen roll. The sort which flatpack into a dsic of wood or plastic as a base, and a screw in vertical stick. Actually, I got used to reaching forward for the toilet paper. Or taking a piece of paper from the roll first (like in many Singapore public train station toilets where the toilet roll is outside the cubicle. But other guests were upset. One friend kept telling me how she had knocked toilet rolls off the shelf under the basin onto the floor and sent them rolling in the watery floor.
Front or back room, and is a balcony helpful?
The front rooms overlook the car park and the road. Could be jollier. Less claustrophobic. The back rooms overlook the mountain. Can be quieter.
Balcony - we paid extra for a room with a balcony. The balcony is not big enough to sit, only to stand. All the same, it is less claustrophobic to be able to step out for a moment.
All in all, we were happy with the hotel. More about the hiking in another post.
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