I have visited the Adriatik Hotel in Durres perhaps 10 times, but for some reason, I never sat down to write about it. Usually, I like quaint little butinas, quirky guesthouses, and even a glampsite, but sometimes, I crave a bit of luxury, which is why I keep returning to this place.
Located on the Plazh in the coastal city of Durres, the Adriatik Hotel is Albania’s first five-star establishment which is now a part of the Best Western Premier Collection. It is also Albania’s oldest hotel, initially opened in 1957 during the communist regime. During those years, it was closed to the general public but provided accommodation to foreign diplomats, politicians and other notable individuals. It was later one of the few places that foreign tourists could stay in, as the rest of the country was all but closed to visitors. Over the years, it has been host to a wide selection of famous people, as evidenced by a wall of fame in the lower lobby.
Today, the hotel features a large outdoor swimming pool with slides, a bar, tennis courts, manicured gardens, a playground, and a private beach area with coffee tables. Inside, it has a luxury spa with a sauna, hammam, treatment rooms, gym, and saltwater, heated swimming pool. As for entertainment, there is an area for children, which often comes with an enthusiastic animator, as well as a large bar and restaurant and an events hall. Other event spaces are available within the building for corporate and personal occasions.
But for me, the service makes the Adriatik Hotel stand apart from many other places I have stayed in locally and abroad. The staff are exceptionally kind, efficient and responsive. No request or task is too much for them, and they are there to help you at any time of day or night.
But let’s talk about the food! Breakfast at the Adriatik Hotel is always an occasion. If you opt for the buffet, you descend into the restaurant to be confronted with what seems like endless tables and dishes of fresh, wonderful food, all begging to be scoffed. Everything is made in-house, including the cakes, baklava, petulla, sauces and preserves, and the hefty slices of byrek and bread. The choice is quite endless, and you will likely find yourself going back for seconds, thirds, or even fourths, depending on how hungry you are.
But you also have the option of the Royal Breakfast. The staff will set up an alfresco dining experience just for you on your terrace, bringing you a selection of pancakes, petulla, eggs, salads, cheese and pastries, all served with coffee and freshly squeezed juice. Presented on silver dishes with banquet lids and with flowers and rose petals scattered around the table, this is the perfect option for special occasions such as birthdays, engagements, or just because.
Room service is offered all day and evening but eating in the restaurant is quite a grand affair. The waiting staff are well trained to a high standard and deliver the kind of service you would expect in a top European restaurant. When I eat at the Adriatik, I opt for fish such as krudo shrimps and grilled octopus. The portions are plentiful, well-seasoned and unmistakably fresh. Everything is presented with meticulous care and can be washed down with a selection of fine local and foreign wines.
The menu itself is just the right size- not too big and not too small. It contains a selection of fine dining options, classics such as pizza and pasta, and things to keep picky eaters happy such as burgers. Whether you are after a casual lunch by the pool or a gourmet meal to impress your guests, the restaurant has something for everyone.
One of my favourite things at the hotel is to step out of the back entrance and straight onto the beach. The sand stretches for several kilometres in each direction and is host to incredible sunsets every night. I like to run and walk along it, stopping to talk to people selling mountain tea or second-hand books. In the summer, it is full of sunbeds, but you can still find a way to stretch your legs. The sea here is shallow and calm and perfect for swimming or paddling, and during the summer, the hotel has its own lifeguard to supervise the vicinity.
In the evenings, beanbags and fairy lights create a comfortable place for relaxation, accompanied by live music and attentive waiters bearing trays of cocktails and wine.
But what about accommodation? The hotel boasts standard rooms, executive rooms, junior suites and a large, high-end suite for top-tier guests. I usually stay in an executive room which comes complete with a huge terrace flanked by climbing vines and offering spectacular sea views. The bathroom has a jacuzzi bath, toiletries and essentials like toothbrushes and sewing kits. There is also a safe, hangers, a large wardrobe, a fridge, a TV with local channels, and strong Wi-Fi throughout.
You can relax on large, sumptuous sofas, which also turn into additional beds or the super huge and mega comfy double bed, which makes me, at 188cm, feel small.
I have visited the hotel throughout the year; summer, Christmas, winter, autumn and spring, and have enjoyed special occasions like birthdays and seen some of the other events going on there, like weddings. I have always been impressed with the level of detail and planning the staff go into and the seamless way everything is executed. Nothing is too much trouble for them, and they genuinely take pleasure in the guest’s happiness- something that is sadly quite rare these days.
My tip for a perfect stay at the Adritak Hotel is the following:
- Check-in mid-afternoon and enjoy a swim in the pool, followed by a coffee overlooking the sea.
- Get dressed for dinner and feast on fresh seafood, salads, vegetables, and local specialities, all lovingly prepared and presented and, of course, washed down with wine recommended by the waiters.
- Sleep in a comfortable and luxurious executive suite and wake up fresh for a walk or run along the beach.
- Head back to the hotel, shower, and enjoy the Royal Breakfast on your terrace.
- Go to the spa for a full body massage, sauna, hammam or a quick burst at the gym.
- Eat lunch in the restaurant once again and enjoy a late checkout at your convenience.
Adriatik Hotel also run a tour agency bringing thousands of people from the US every year to discover the joys of Albania. This means they can arrange all kinds of tours and excursions for you, whether you want to know more about Durres, or explore further afield. All you have to do is ask.
I have been visiting this hotel for three years now and I am writing about it through a genuine appreciation of how at home myself and my daughter are made to feel when we are there. It is like being at home, surrounded by people you know, and when life gets tough or stressful, it is a much needed and enjoyed refuge. Albania is full of lovely places to stay, but for something special, the Adriatik Hotel will always be my number one choice.
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