Tirana’s new stadium, that bears the country’s flag carrier name, Air Albania was inaugurated on November 17, and France won 0-2.

The complex where the stadium is, will also be home to Marriott’s first hotel in the country.

The international hospitality company signed an agreement last year with the Albanian construction company AlbStar for a five-star hotel. This happened after Marriott de-flagged the Sheraton in December 2017.

According to IR Real Estate and Management:

“The tower section of the New National Stadium Complex, after the completion of the construction will host Marriott International, one of the most well-known hotel chains in the world. The tower is projected to be 140 feet tall, structured in 24 floors, and will be the tallest building in Albania, a great reference for the stadium and the city. An exclusive hotel for an exclusive experience. A floor of luxury room’s right above the field, a large shared restaurant with the VIP hospitality area of the stadium and other incredible services for guests. It will have approximately 150 rooms, SPA, conference rooms, fitness etc.”

An Instagram post by the Arena Center complex, right before the stadium was inaugurated, caught my eye and there was Marriott mentioned. I wrote a direct message, asking when Marriott Tirana is going to open?

They replied: “We still don’t have an exact date for the [Marriott] opening. Please follow our social networks for any updates”.

Then I wrote to corporate Marriott hoping to get a more solid answer (read: when is it opening).

Millie Robinson, assistant to Vice President Communications, Europe for Marriott International quickly replied:

“I am picking up your request on behalf of the Marriott Newsroom. Currently, the estimated opening date is November 2020”.

It is a known fact that for the new hotels anywhere in the world deadlines are not always met, for different reasons. Delays can happen from both sides; franchisee and franchiser. We just have to wait and see now if everything will be ready for the opening of Marriott Tirana in November 2020.