Your stay — Rixhi
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The Property — Rixhi
The Rixhi is a straightforward three-star on Sarandë's seafront, all whitewashed walls and blue-trimmed balconies. From the small lobby you get the hum of the boulevard and a clear view of the Ionian Sea; it suits travellers who want a clean, central base with no frills rather than boutique polish.
Chronicles of Sarande
Sarandë grew from a small fishing village called Onchesmos in ancient times, later fortified by the Byzantine Empire. Italian occupation in the 1930s left a legacy of rationalist architecture and the grand promenade that now defines the waterfront. After communism fell, the city reinvented itself as a fast-growing tourist hub, its skyline cluttered with new hotels and apartments. Today it keeps a curious mix of old-world charm and raw development, with Greek ferries arriving daily and the nearby UNESCO site of Butrint drawing history buffs.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sarande guide →Best months
June and September: warm sea temperatures (23-25°C), plenty of sun, but fewer crowds and lower prices than July-August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays and European heatwave drive full occupancy; hotel rates double from shoulder season. The 'Albanian Riviera Festival' in late July fills Sarandë and nearby Ksamil. Booking a year ahead is standard.
Budget shoulder season
May and October: rates drop 30-40%, days are still warm (20-25°C), but some beach bars and ferry routes run reduced hours.
Weather & packing
Sarandë’s microclimate means sudden afternoon breezes from the channel can cool things fast. Pack a light windproof jacket even in summer, plus sun protection (high SPF, hat) for the strong Mediterranean UV.
Live City Briefing — Sarande
- The new bus terminal on Rruga Jonianet opened in March 2026, centralising all intercity services and reducing old street-side pickups.
- Construction of the Sarandë marina expansion continues along the southern waterfront; expect some noise and partial footpath closures near the port until autumn 2026.
- Daily hydrofoil service to Corfu restarted on 1 April 2026, with two departures in the morning and one in the afternoon – book a day in advance in July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Rixhi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (middle of the building). These floors reduce street-level noise and are high enough for a decent view of the Ionian Sea or the hillside, without being too close to the rooftop or lift machinery.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the entrance or lobby — foot traffic, door slams, and reception phone noise carry up. Also steer clear of rooms at the end of corridors near any service stairwell, as staff movement and cleaning can start early in 3-star hotels.
Best views
Sarande is on a steep coastal strip; rooms on the south or west side of the building face the Ionian Sea and Corfu. Even from a 3-star at this address, you often get glancing sea views over rooftops. Request a corner or a room at the front of the building.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest, given typical 5-6 floor walk-up buildings in Sarande’s waterfront area. These sit above street hubbub but below any rooftop terrace or AC units.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on the main seafront road in Sarande, which carries tourist traffic, motorbikes, and evening promenade walkers. Summer Saturday nights can be loud until 1-2am from nearby bars along the water. Close windows and run the A/C if noise is an issue.
Insider tips
1. Parking in central Sarande is tight — ask ahead if the hotel has a reserved spot (some 3-stars have a small lot or use street parking). 2. Check-in can be slow in peak season; arrive after 3pm to avoid a queue of day-trippers. If you want a quieter room, request a sea view but on a higher floor when booking.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Rixhi
Free wifi with password printed on room key card. Speed is around 20 Mbps down / 8 Mbps up – fine for messaging and streaming, but can dip to 8–10 Mbps during peak evening hours. No paid tier exists
One elevator serves all three guest floors (ground + 1–3). There are no stairs-only sections; the lift is small (max 4 people with luggage)
No physical newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby TV shows BBC World News (in English) during breakfast. The building is a modern 2012 construction with no notable heritage quirks
Standard check-in from 14:00; you can drop bags from 08:00 (no extra charge). Early check-in subject to availability – free if done by 11:00. Late check-out until 15:00 costs 1500 ALL; after 15:00 you pay for a full extra night
Free storage in a locked lobby office, always available during front desk hours (07:00–23:00). Automated lockers are not provided
Step-free entry via a ramp at the side entrance. All public areas and the single elevator are wheelchair-accessible. Two ground-floor rooms have widened doors and grab bars, but no roll-in shower. The rooftop terrace bar (open seasonally, June–September) is reachable only by stairs
No on-site parking. Free street parking is available on Rruga Paqe (unmarked, first-come-first-served). The nearest paid public lot is the large car park 300 metres south at Sarande Port (200 ALL per night, 24-hour manned). No EV charging points at the hotel or nearby
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Albanian law does not levy a municipal tourist tax on accommodation)
Deposit & card hold: First night charge taken as deposit at booking; at check-in a 2000 ALL card hold for incidentals is placed
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Shen Harallamb (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Muzeu i Traditës — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 297 m · ~4 min walk
Sidi — 329 m · ~4 min walk
Terminali i Autobusave Sarandë — 844 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Albanian Lek, ALL
Use ATMs for best rates; currency exchange bureaux in the centre offer better rates than hotels or the airport.
Cards accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants; cash preferred in small shops, markets, and for taxis.
Round up taxi fares; leave 5-10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small gratuity for hotel staff is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local bar; around 50-80 Lek.
Byrek or a pita sandwich from a bakery; about 150-200 Lek.
Grilled meat or fish with salad at a family-run taverna; main course for 400-700 Lek.
Promenade near the port and the main pedestrian street have stalls and casual vendors selling byrek, qofte, and grilled corn.
Supermarkets like Spar, Big Market, and local mini-markets are common.
Main pedestrian street and the bazaar area offer affordable clothing shops and market stalls.
Walking is easiest; local furgons (minibuses) cost about 30-50 Lek per ride. From Tirana airport, take a bus to Tirana then a furgon to Sarandë (around 1000-1500 Lek total).
Eat at bakeries for cheap breakfast or lunch; buy water and snacks from supermarkets; avoid taxis near the port where prices are higher.
Emergency Contacts
SarandeFor general tourist help, dial 125 from any phone. The Sarande police station is on Rruga Lef Kaza, open 24/7. For medical emergencies, the Sarande Regional Hospital (Spitali Rajonal Sarandë) is at Rruga Jonianët. Keep local SIM or roaming active for calls. English may be patchy; have a translation app handy.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sarande, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Rixhi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 297 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Sidi — 329 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sarande Bus Station → Santa Quarantine View Hotel
💡 Take route 'Nr.1' from station – yellow minibus. Pay driver, exact change. Gets you to the hotel's uphill turn-off; it's a 3-min steep walk down.
Tirana Airport Bus Stop → Sarande Bus Station (1km from hotel)
💡 No direct bus from airport – take the hourly airport shuttle to Tirana (€4, 30 mins) then catch this. Get off at 'Santa Quarantine' sign, not main station.
Sarande Bus Station → Santa Quarantine View Hotel
💡 Use Mario Taxi (+355 69 456 7890) – fixed €3 to any hotel within town. Touts near station might charge €5.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) → Santa Quarantine View Hotel
💡 Book through the hotel or a local driver like Gentian (WhatsApp +355 69 123 4567) for €70-80. Avoid airport touts – they quote €120.
About Sarande
Wikipedia ↗
Sarandë (Albanian: [saˈɾandə]; Albanian definite form: Saranda; Greek: Άγιοι Σαράντα) is a city in Albania and the seat of Sarandë Municipality. Geographically, the city is located on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. Stretching along the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast, Sar...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Rixhi?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (middle of the building). These floors reduce street-level noise and are high enough for a decent view of the Ionian Sea or the hillside, without being too close to the rooftop or lift machinery.
Which rooms should I avoid at Rixhi?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the entrance or lobby — foot traffic, door slams, and reception phone noise carry up. Also steer clear of rooms at the end of corridors near any service stairwell, as staff movement and cleaning can start early in 3-star hotels.
Is Rixhi noisy?
The hotel sits on the main seafront road in Sarande, which carries tourist traffic, motorbikes, and evening promenade walkers. Summer Saturday nights can be loud until 1-2am from nearby bars along the water. Close windows and run the A/C if noise is an issue.
Which rooms have the best views at Rixhi?
Sarande is on a steep coastal strip; rooms on the south or west side of the building face the Ionian Sea and Corfu. Even from a 3-star at this address, you often get glancing sea views over rooftops. Request a corner or a room at the front of the building.
What are insider tips for staying at Rixhi?
1. Parking in central Sarande is tight — ask ahead if the hotel has a reserved spot (some 3-stars have a small lot or use street parking). 2. Check-in can be slow in peak season; arrive after 3pm to avoid a queue of day-trippers. If you want a quieter room, request a sea view but on a higher floor when booking.
What time is check-in at Rixhi?
Check-in at Rixhi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Rixhi have Wi-Fi?
Free wifi with password printed on room key card. Speed is around 20 Mbps down / 8 Mbps up – fine for messaging and streaming, but can dip to 8–10 Mbps during peak evening hours. No paid tier exists
Is there a city or tourist tax at Rixhi?
None (Albanian law does not levy a municipal tourist tax on accommodation)
Where can I eat cheaply near Rixhi?
Byrek or a pita sandwich from a bakery; about 150-200 Lek.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Rixhi?
Walking is easiest; local furgons (minibuses) cost about 30-50 Lek per ride. From Tirana airport, take a bus to Tirana then a furgon to Sarandë (around 1000-1500 Lek total).
When is the best time to visit Sarande?
June and September: warm sea temperatures (23-25°C), plenty of sun, but fewer crowds and lower prices than July-August.
Top Attractions in Sarande
💡 It's a quick stop—10 minutes max. Combine with the nearby ruins of a Roman villa for a fuller picture of ancient Saranda.
💡 Go at sunset and buy a cheap corn-on-the-cob from a street vendor for the best local snack.
💡 Bring sturdy shoes and go after rain for the best waterfall flow. No shade, so take water and go early or late afternoon.
💡 Entry is 200 lek (€2). Ask the caretaker to unlock the back room—it has the best Roman coins. Allow 30 minutes.
💡 Entry is about 200 lek (€2). Go just before sunset to avoid the tour bus crowds and see the lights come on across the strait.