Reviews of Friends' Guesthouse & Hostel
Rruga Alqi Kondi, 6000 Gjirokastër, Albania
Loading
Guests also reviewed these properties:
How guest reviews work
Each review score is between 1-10. To get the overall score that you see, we add up all the review scores we’ve received and divide that total by the number of review scores we’ve received. We use a weighted review system which means that the more recent the review, the bigger the impact on the total review score calculation. In addition, guests can give separate ‘subscores’ in crucial areas, such as location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, facilities, value for money and free Wi-Fi. Note that guests submit their subscores and their overall scores independently, so there’s no direct link between them.
You can review an Accommodation that you booked through our Platform if you stayed there or if you arrived at the property but didn’t actually stay there. To edit a review you’ve already submitted, please contact our Customer Service team.
We have people and automated systems that specialise in detecting fake reviews submitted to our Platform. If we find any, we delete them and, if necessary, take action against whoever is responsible.
Anyone else who spots something suspicious can always report it to our Customer Service team, so our Fraud team can investigate.
Ideally, we would publish every review we receive, whether positive or negative. However, we won’t display any review that includes or refers to (among other things):
- Politically sensitive comments
- Promotional content
- Illegal activities
- Personal or sensitive information (e.g. emails, phone numbers or credit card info)
- Swear words, sexual references, hate speech, discriminatory remarks, threats, or references to violence
- Spam and fake content
- Animal cruelty
- Impersonation (e.g. if the writer is claiming to be someone else)
- Any violation of our review guidelines.
To make sure reviews are relevant, we may only accept reviews that are submitted within 3 months of checking out, and we may stop showing reviews once they’re 36 months old – or if the Accommodation has a change of ownership.
An Accommodation may choose to reply to a review.
When you see multiple reviews, the most recent ones will be at the top, subject to a few other factors (what language a review is in, whether it’s just a rating or contains comments as well, etc.). If you like, you can sort and/or filter them (by time of year, review score, etc.).
We sometimes show external review scores from other well-known travel websites. We make it clear when we’ve done this.
Guidelines and standards for Reviews
These guidelines and standards aim to keep the content on Booking.com relevant and family-friendly without limiting expression of strong opinions. They are also applicable regardless of the sentiment of the comment.
Contributions should be travel related. The most helpful contributions are detailed and help others make better decisions. Please don’t include personal, political, ethical, or religious commentary. Promotional content will be removed and issues concerning Booking.com’s services should be routed to our Customer Service or Accommodation Service teams.
Contributions should be appropriate for a global audience. Please avoid using profanity or attempts to approximate profanity with creative spelling, in any language. Comments and media that include 'hate speech', discriminatory remarks, threats, sexually explicit remarks, violence, and the promotion of illegal activity are not permitted.
All content should be genuine and unique to the guest. Reviews are most valuable when they are original and unbiased. Your contribution should be yours. Booking.com property partners should not post on behalf of guests or offer incentives in exchange for reviews. Attempts to bring down the rating of a competitor by submitting a negative review will not be tolerated.
Respect the privacy of others. Booking.com will make an effort to obscure email addresses, telephone numbers, website addresses, social media accounts, and similar details.
The opinions expressed in contributions are those of Booking.com customers and properties and not of Booking.com. Booking.com does not accept responsibility or liability for any reviews or responses. Booking.com is a distributor (without any obligation to verify) and not a publisher of these comments and responses.
By default, reviews are sorted based on the date of the review and on additional criteria to display the most relevant reviews, including but not limited to: your language, reviews with text, and non-anonymous reviews. Additional sorting options may be available (by type of traveller, by score, etc.).
Translations disclaimer
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
Loading...
Reviewed: 28 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe staff at this accomodation are so lovely. The beds and facilities were great too!
Reviewed: 18 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewbeautiful view from the balcony that I wasn’t expecting !! everything is also clean and comfortable
Reviewed: 14 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe view from Friends’ Guesthouse & Hostel and the hospitality by the owner family.
The shower drain is clogged and the water isn’t draining properly.
Reviewed: 14 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe place is super clean and cozy, the beds comfortable and the personnel are super nice, also the breakfast is freshly handmade and delicious.
Reviewed: 5 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewKind and helpful host
Reviewed: 28 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewFriends is a delightful family-run hostel, located nest to the vibrant heart of Gjirokaster with terrace that looks up to the castle, located on the hill and within easy reach for visiting; a superb view.
Reviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 20 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewVery good location, few minutes from the center Nice view on the terrace to take the breakfast
Reviewed: 20 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 20 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 13 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewWhat an exceptional view of the GiroKaster castle from the window !! The hosts were extremely kind and the breakfast was awesome.. We got so delayed to checkin, but the host was super kind to open the kitchen for us and allowed us to prepare our dinner 😊
None
Reviewed: 7 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThis was such a nice hostel! The family that run it were all so nice and friendly. The beds were really comfortable and I loved the privacy curtain. It was very clean and had everything I needed. The view was so beautiful! I wish I could've stayed longer and tried out the breakfast, but I think I'll be back one day. Thanks!!
Reviewed: 5 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 29 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewFriendly host (with a gorgeous little dog!) who kindly helped us park our car. Great location. Our only criticism was that we had a room right next to the reception/dining area so there was a little bit of noise but nothing major. The breakfast was great too.
Reviewed: 28 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewFriendly family, mama's food, excellent location
Everything was perfect, from the host to the location
Reviewed: 26 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewWow where do I start, this hostel was perfect in every way, I was so relaxed and well looked after here that I could of stayed for weeks! The family that run this hostel are so lovely and accommodating! The rooms, bathrooms and hang out areas were all beautiful and it didn't matter what balcony you were on you always had an incredible view of the castle and the town! The breakfast you can buy in the morning was so delicious and a very generous size, and they also make coffee! You can also pay by card which was amazing! Friends hostel is by far one of my favourite hostels I've ever stayed in!! Faleminderit 😊
Thank you so much for your words, and we are very happy to have done your holidays even more beautifully 😍
Reviewed: 13 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 8 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewClean dorm rooms with curtains and a balcony too! The host family is very nice and they have an adorable dog named Louie who is 6 months old. The breakfast is 5 euro and worth it!
It would be nice to have paper towels or hand towel in the bathroom for use after washing hands, but it’s easy enough to bring my towel in with me.
Reviewed: 7 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewBrilliant location. Friendly hosts. Charming hostel in a gorgeous old building
Reviewed: 5 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe hosts were friendly, welcoming and very considerate! The location was beautiful with a very nice view from the terraces. The breakfast and was amazing!
Nothing
Reviewed: 31 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewWe loved our private room in the hostel! The hosts were extremely helpful, especially with managing our car parking. The room was cozy and clean. Very central for a great evening in the old town.
Reviewed: 30 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewGreat view from terrace. Good location, walkable from the bus station (uphill) and close to attractions and restaurants. Comfortable bunk with curtain, power and light. Large locker. Good wifi. Clean bathroom, good shower and free. Can payment accepted (3% surcharge). Helpful staff.
The 6 bed dorm which you pay more for actually has 7 beds as the volunteer sleeps there in an extra bed so it’s 7 people. May as well save money and stay in 8 bed dorm. €5 breakfast doesn’t include coffee.