Hotel Kaceli
Four-star base in Berat, near the castle and old town museums
Hotel Kaceli is set on Antipatrea Road in Berat, within reach of Berat Castle and the old town. The building holds a garden, a shared lounge, a restaurant and a bar, with a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi throughout. It is family-run. Rooms come air-conditioned, with soundproof walls, a flat-screen television, a desk, a seating area and a fridge; several have a fireplace and a tumble dryer, and city views are standard rather than an upgrade. The deluxe triple sleeps two on two beds with a fireplace and city view; the quadruple room with balcony fits three beds behind the same soundproof walls. Breakfast runs to a buffet and continental spread each morning, and the restaurant works from locally sourced ingredients under a printed menu of salads, soups, pasta and grilled meats. Free private parking sits on-site, and a shuttle takes guests out to explore the surrounding area. The nearest airport is Tirana's Mother Teresa International, some 115 km off. Susan, one guest, was met with a welcome tray of fruit and water; Richard found the bar restaurant reasonably priced with excellent staff. It reads as a small, quiet hotel rather than a landmark, built for a weekend away from the city.