Opened in 2005, Rilindja (“Rebirth” in Albanian) was named for the economic prosperity owner Alfred Selimaj dreamed that sustainable tourism could bring to the people of the area and is the oldest operating hotel in Valbona. The Restaurant specializes in traditional Northern Albanian fare, including whole goats roasted on a spit(!) and fresh trout from our reservoir (pictured here – catch ‘em yourself!). Dine in our beautiful outdoor veranda, hike the Pecmarres Trails which begin from Rilindja, explore the beech woods and nearby Liqeni i Xhemes (Xheme’s Lake), dance on the lawn, and sleep lulled by the sound of the Valbona River.

By Summer 2011, we hope to have constructed a state-of-the-art (well, Albanian style) campsite, with minimally constructed leveled sites, fire pits, showers and bathrooms, and available electricity connections. Stay tuned for those rates once Rome is built.

Hotel:Rilindja has a total of 5 rooms, each of which sleeps 2 people. Rates are priced by room. Reduced rates are available for children under 12 years old. We reserve the right to offer you a reduced, per-person rate, if the hotel is not full at the time of your stay.

Rates:

Basic Rooms have two twin beds, cabinets, lace curtains, reading lamps and use of the shared bathroom. Total of 4 beds available in 2 rooms.

30€ per night with breakfast

Balcony Rooms have, in addition, a large private outdoor balcony with seating. Total of 4 beds available in 2 rooms.

34€ per night with breakfast

Our Double Room has a large double bed, wardrobe, desk, window view of Kollata (with hand-made lace curtain) and private bathroom. Sleeps 2.

34€ per night with breakfast

Restaurant:

Local Specialties: Our restaurant serves traditional Northern Albanian food. Please take a look at our menu when you arrive as you may like to order something special during your stay. Many of our local specialties require preparation in advance – like “fli” which is a sort of towering cake of savory crepes and full cream butter, cooked layer by layer over an outdoor fire, or “çorb” - a rich liver soup thickened with cornmeal.

Picnics: If you plan to spend the day hiking, we are happy to pack you a traditional shepherd’s lunch. If possible, let us know the evening before.

Stay for a while!

Anyone staying for 5 days or more during our high season (1 June through 30 September) gets a 10% discount on room rates.

Avoid the Crowd!

Visit us during off-season (1 October through 31 May) and get a 10% discount on room rates.

Camping:

Tent Camping is 2€ per person per night

Electricity hook up is 2€ per day

Camping Vehicles are welcome at 6€ per day

Other Services:

1€ for laundry per load

50€ per day for a guide

70€ per day for a horse (accompanied by ‘handler’)

25€ for private transportation from Bajram Curri

25€ for private transportation to Gjelaj (start of the trail to Theth)

Prepayment of reservations in full (possible through our website soon!) will absolutely guarantee that a room is held for you on the dates of your choice. In the case of no deposit, we will hold reservations until 3pm on the day of arrival, after which if we have not heard from you we will consider the reservation cancelled.  If you’re running late, please just call us!

Rilindja is Valbona Central!

Alfred and Catherine started www.JourneytoValbona.com, currently the primary source for information on-line about the Valbona Valley and National Park. During the winter of 2010-11 we also formed Valbona’s first non-profit NGO, the Shoqata e Akomodimit Valbonë. In 2010 we received a UNDP minigrant to begin developing the ancient Rrugë Malore (“mountain roads”) used by Malësori highlanaders for 100s of years as Hiking Trails. On top of all that we have ended up working as the semi-official Valbona Tourism Board. All of which means that we are here to help you get around, to most enjoy your stay here, and to help you carry on to wherever you’d like to go. We plan day itineraries built around your interests: Botanising, Bird-Watching, Cultural Interest, Tradional Architecture, Farming, Dancing, Handicrafts – just ask us! We advise about travel routes, give our (highly!) subjective opinions about places to stay and connect you with other hosts and tour operators who we respect . . . . but our first love is the mountains. And that means hiking! We plan both day trips as well as extending hiking tours and can arrange guides with many languages.