The Best Hotels on the Albanian Riviera

Overlooking Vlorë beach, and just a short walk from some of the best eateries and bars in the area, Marina Premium is the perfect choice if you’re looking to combine city amenities with a beach holiday. Activities here include snorkelling, sea fishing and cycling – end a day of adventure with a relax in your bright, spacious room. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, pop down to La Logetta, a pizzeria serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas.

Perched on the Vlorë beachfront, A&G Hotel has a central location and sea views. It’s not the largest hotel in the area, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with attentive staff. It also has a selection of cosy rooms and suites, each of which includes a hot tub. And if you’re looking for further relaxation, the hotel has a private slice of beach with plenty of sunbeds.

Located on the north coast of Sarandë, the Illyrian is one of the best boutique hotels in the area, thanks to the modern white rooms and chic rooftop terrace. The exceptional in-house restaurant, Epidamn, serves a mix of Mediterranean classics and traditional Albanian dishes. Breakfast and parking are included with your stay.

Standing above Vlorë beach like a giant wind-filled sail, the aptly named Yacht Hotel is a stylish option on the waterfront. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the spacious suites with light. Breakfast is served in the on-site cafe – expect barista coffee and excellent cakes come 11am. A stone’s throw from beachfront bars and restaurants, the Yacht Hotel is well placed if you want to take full advantage of the vibrant nightlife in the area.

Hotel Summer Dream is only a few sandy-footed steps from the clear waters of Drymades Beach; snare one of the sunbeds for a blissful afternoon. The hotel rooms are relatively simple, decked in an unassuming palette of black, white and grey, but some come with rather lovely sea views. For dinner, head to nearby Lucianos, which serves a top seafood menu.

If you’re looking for a spa retreat in Sarandë, book a room at Bougainville Bay. It feels more like a resort, boasting three pools, three restaurants and a children’s playground, plus you can organise scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing excursions through the hotel. The spa is a real highlight, featuring a sauna, hammam and flower-shaped hydromassage bath and offering a range of massages and beauty treatments. Bougainville Bay also hosts exhibitions featuring colourful works by local artists.

Sitting pretty above the water in Sarandë, Hotel Oasis is the perfect place for a restful retreat. Just steps from a pristine white-sand beach, and with excellent transport links to the wider region, it’s the best combination of homely guest suites and a prime location. Make sure you order the fresh fish at the on-site restaurant, which is caught locally and delivered daily.

Sitting at the entrance to Butrint National Park, Hotel Luxury is a great jumping-off point for exploring the picturesque lagoons and Roman ruins of the Unesco-protected spot. Inside the hotel, the simple double rooms feature balconies, many with sea views. Downstairs, the sun terrace is the perfect place to rest your legs with an ice-cold beer after a day hiking through the national park.