Review: Tirana Marriott

Opening on March 6, 2023, the Tirana Marriott Hotel is the first Marriott hotel to open in the Balkans. It’s clear that the Marriott Group wanted to make its mark, in terms of location, impressive design, and the quality (if not luxury) of the services on offer.

Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to have the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card (and/or the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card).

In addition to the exceptional welcome bonus of each of these two cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all your purchases and 5 points per dollar at any of the Marriott establishments. On top of that, every year, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate (worth 35,000 points) and 15 Elite Night Credits toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.

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Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card

American Express Marriott Bonvoy

Annual fee: $120
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $600
Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months: Up to 70,000 points

The Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points with the current offer:

Earn up to 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership.
Plus, earn 10,000 points after you spend $500 on your Card in your 13th month of Cardmembership.

The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 70,000 point welcome offer is worth about $630, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

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Annual fee

Primary card$120

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0

Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,110

2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500

Lost BaggageUp to $500

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $500

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Tirana Marriott – Location

Just a 30-minute drive from Tirana-Mère-Teresa International Airport, this five-star establishment is a focal point in the heart of Albania’s capital.

Nestled in the spectacular mountains of the country’s central region, this vibrant city, born in 1614, has lived through centuries of tumultuous history. From its emergence as an Ottoman trading center to its crucial role in the struggle for independence in the early 20th century, Tirana bears witness to the many milestones that have shaped Albanian identity. Its modern development, which began after the Second World War, has given rise to a dynamic metropolis combining colourful architecture, cultural heritage and urban dynamism. Today, Tirana embodies Albania’s renaissance, offering visitors a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

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The location of the Tirana Marriott Hotel is exceptional, as the main historical and cultural sites, if not government and international institutions, are within walking distance, making it a popular spot for tourists and diplomatic representatives alike.

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On the day we arrived, an important conference on security in the Balkans was drawing to a close. During the conference, all diplomats stayed at the Tirana Marriott Hotel, including the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Are you planning to discover Albania? Take a look at our guide to our express 5-day stay in the greater Tirana region.

Tirana Marriott – Architecture

Designed by the Italian firm Archea Associati, under the direction of architect Marco Casamonti, the complex comprising stadium, hotel, stores and other services is a dazzling example of contemporary architecture. Completed three (3) years after the soccer stadium, when it was inaugurated, the Tirana Marriott Hotel was the tallest skyscraper in the Albanian capital, its tower rising to 112 meters.

Review: Tirana Marriott, Albania | Marriott Bonvoy - 2024-02-Mariott-Tirana-Albanie-Hotel-Exterieur-01-Approche

Its design features clean lines and bold geometric shapes that create a modern, elegant aesthetic. The complex’s exterior cladding is characterized by a textural façade in which glass plays a central role, reflecting natural light and giving an impression of transparency and openness. Particular attention has been paid to the hotel’s exterior night lighting, while subtle lighting effects highlight the architectural features and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, inviting visitors to discover the hotel’s beauty even after the sun has set.

The hotel blends harmoniously into the complex, offering spectacular panoramic views from some rooms and common areas. This proximity to the stadium adds a unique dimension to the guest experience, allowing them to enjoy exciting sporting events while staying in luxury surroundings.

Arena Kombëtare (or Air Albania Stadium) is the stadium of the Albanian Football Federation. It was inaugurated on November 17, 2019, during a Euro 2020 qualifier between Albania and France.

Review: Tirana Marriott, Albania | Marriott Bonvoy - 2024-02-Mariott-Tirana-Albanie-Hotel-Albania-Statium-Jour

The overall style of the Tirana Marriott is imbued with understated sophistication, with high-quality materials and meticulous finishes. Attention to detail is evident in the subtle architectural elements that add character and refinement to the overall structure.

The heritage and architecture lover in me fell under the spell, as theTirana Marriott Hotel is much more than just a place to stay; it’s an immersive architectural experience that skilfully blends contemporary design and luxurious comfort, creating an elegant refuge in the heart of Albania’s bustling capital.

Tirana Marriott – Layout

Spread over 24 floors, the hotel has 155 rooms (including 24 suites), with panoramic views from every room.

Review: Tirana Marriott, Albania | Marriott Bonvoy - 2024-02-Mariott-Tirana-Albanie-Hotel-Suite-2001-Exterieur-Vue-02

The range of services is rounded off by a restaurant, a gym (with a sauna and steam bath in each of the men’s and women’s changing rooms), conference and event rooms, and underground parking under the soccer stadium.

Despite the luxury of the premises, the atmosphere, like the dress code, is relaxed, favouring the cohabitation of leisure and business visitors.

Please note that check-in starts at 3 p.m. and check-out is at noon.

Tirana Marriott – Room Options

Deluxe room, 1 King bed, city view
Deluxe room, 2 twin beds, city view
Club Room, 1 King bed, city view, M Club access
Club Room, 2 twin beds, city view, M Club access
Junior Suite, 1 King bed, city view, M Club access
Executive Suite, 1 King bed, city view, M Club access
Premier Suite, 1 King bed, city view, M Club access

Tirana Marriott – Ecological Footprint

During our stay, we noticed that this establishment has implemented many sustainable practices such as :

Providing recycling bins
Limiting single-use products, namely shampoos, conditioners and shower gels.
The possibility of using towels and sheets over several days
Water-saving toilets and showers
Combating food waste
Local products featured in the morning buffet and meals served in the Terra and Club M restaurants
Etc.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t forget to check out our complete map of Marriott Bonvoy hotels by category!

Tirana Marriott – Overall Impression of Our Experience

Application of Our Status Privileges

As I have Titanium Elite status, the day before our arrival I took care to communicate with the hotel by chat via the Marriott Bonvoy application on my cell phone. During the exchange, the person at reception told me about the hotel’s advantages in general (as I always start by asking) and then informed me that we were eligible for a suite upgrade, to be validated on arrival. She also confirmed that breakfast would be included.

For this booking, I used my points, as I wanted to take advantage of the 5th night free, offered for all bookings of four nights using points. With a reservation cost of 76,000 points for 4 nights, spread over 5 nights, this averages to a cost of 15,000 points per night, which is very lucrative for a hotel of this range, located right in the heart of Tirana.

Our Room

Right from the entrance, we were delighted by the division of space, separating the living room from the bedroom.

The living room was well thought out, with a credenza for a laptop, a bar area with a good-sized mini-fridge and even a cabinet (which could hold crockery/cutlery, if we so requested), a round table with 4 chairs and a lounge area with a very comfortable sofa and huge TV.

As we were travelling with our 2 boys, the staff had taken care to install 2 extra beds (at a cost of 100 euros for the stay), transforming this section of our suite into a huge bedroom.

The corridor leading to the entrance to the suite, and then to our bedroom, featured a small, well-thought-out shower room. This was much appreciated, as the children didn’t have to come into our room when they had to use the facilities.

With almost every wall fenestrated, the bedroom was simply spectacular, and the view alone delighted us from the moment we arrived. Despite the large windows, great care was taken to ensure that visitors slept well, with opaque drapes even in the suite’s living room; this enabled us to have “parents’ late mornings” until 8-8:30am!

The room had a well-thought-out layout, with areas for rest, relaxation or work. The huge bed was extremely comfortable, as was the well-integrated bench seat. The workspace had all the sockets needed to power our laptop, which was cleverly hidden when not in use.

With Titanium status, a tray of chocolate truffles was waiting for us on arrival, along with small treats for the boys.

The bathroom was more than luxurious, with a huge shower (rain shower head and ceiling light), a toilet/bidet, and a spacious countertop. We were provided with high-quality towels, as well as bathrobes for those wishing to take advantage of the sauna or steam bath in the gym’s bathrooms (which we didn’t have time to do). Even from the bathroom, it was possible to get lost in the view of the mountains surrounding Tirana!

The aesthetics of the suite were most pleasing, with its soft, neutral tones, the marriage of materials and textures of wood, marble and granite, and modern luxury, all without stealing the limelight from the glass walls that give way to the spectacular view of Albania’s capital.

Restaurant Terra and Club M

Restaurant Terra offers a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions, with examples of traditional Albanian cuisine. The menu offers a selection of plates to share, from dips and crudités to charcuterie, fish and meat dishes.

This is where the magnificent morning buffet was served, featuring the usual continental breakfast (pancakes, waffles, potato cassolettes, bacon, etc.). This was complemented by a generous refrigerated bar offering salads, cold meats, yogurt and fruit, including pomegranates, which delighted the children. Every morning, a large counter was stocked with various cereals and mueslis, breads of all kinds, and delicious pastries, including a pistachio loaf that we would have eaten endlessly. All this was enhanced by the attentive service of the staff, who quickly noted the children’s preferences and showered us with their thoughtful attentions, whether by bringing them a delicious (if not gourmet) hot chocolate or a freshly squeezed orange juice, leaving us free to enjoy the quality of the premises.

The Tirana Marriott hotel is also home to Albania’s first M Club. Open 24 hours a day, the space is ideal for relaxing or holding an informal business meeting. It offers a complimentary breakfast, refreshments throughout the day, an aperitif dinner between 6 pm and 8 pm, and cocktails in the evening. The M Club is open to Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite Marriott Bonvoy members, and guests staying on executive floors.

Other Services

The multifunctional event center offers 1,900 m² of meeting space equipped with the latest technology, including nine (9) meeting rooms and a ballroom seating up to 400 people.

During our stay, an important conference on security in the Balkans was drawing to a close, so we could not visit the site.

Our Recommendation

We fell in love with this little-known destination and the whole family was disappointed not to be able to extend our stay.

The location, the quality of the service, but above all the staff made these 5 days memorable… and I still miss the breathtaking view of the mountains from our room as I write these words.

Let me know if you decide to stay there soon, so we can compare notes!

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