Velmar Hotel

Our three nights at Velmar Hotel were disappointing, even though the location and price made some of the shortcomings understandable. Breakfast was very limited, with croissants, jam, and a few fruits and vegetables, and there wasn’t much variety. The WiFi barely worked, disconnecting after a few minutes. We reported it several times, but nothing was done and the staff didn’t seem concerned. Our duplex suite also had no mirror at all, and there was no hot water kettle. Since I was traveling with a baby, I had to keep going to the bar whenever I needed boiling water. There was also an uncomfortable issue with the bedding. On the second day, I put the pillow covers in the closet because of our skin sensitivity and expected housekeeping to replace them. The following day, staff said two covers were missing, which felt like an indirect accusation. By the third day, the bedding had been replaced with floral covers that looked dated and low-budget, not what I expected from a supposedly renovated hotel. I do appreciate being allowed a late checkout on our final day. Still, Velmar needs an experienced manager to improve the service, communication, and room standards if it wants to compete with the luxury hotels only meters away.

What stayed with us most was how kind and helpful everyone was. Arbi became our friend during our week at Velmar, and we really hope to see him again. The staff were also very attentive with children and tried to help even with things outside the hotel’s responsibility. We arrived around 6-7 in the morning, long before the 2:00 p.m. check-in, and were allowed to settle in immediately instead of leaving our bags at reception. The rooms were clean and comfortable, and breakfast was tasty and plentiful. During the football championship, matches were shown on a large TV on the lawn, which was a great touch. The hotel has a free sandy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas just across the road, less than a minute away. There are restaurants and supermarkets nearby, and food and drinks from the closest cafe could be brought to the hotel. Free private parking is available behind the building too. The sea was warm and shallow, though there was also a swimming area farther out. It worked well for both adults and children. They also helped us rent a car and explained local rules, fines, driving habits, and what to look for. We’ll definitely return to Albania and stay at Velmar again.

The beach is only 30 meters away, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. The hotel also has parking in the backyard and on the street, plus the internet worked well. Our room was clean, and the staff provided excellent service. Breakfast was very good, especially the omelette and cheese. Euros are accepted everywhere. Fully recommended.

The staff deserve a 5 and the food was great, but the hotel itself was a big disaster. I paid 190 euros for 2 nights, yet the air conditioning didn’t work, the bathroom drain was poor, and the room was hot. Booking made everything look great, but the actual stay was completely different.