Hotel Noemie

The first night was unbearable. After a power outage, the alarm kept sounding continuously for more than seven hours, and we didn’t sleep for even a minute. I repeatedly tried calling and messaging the reception number, but nobody answered. An emergency contact system should work in a situation like that. After I insisted, the hotel did refund one night, but that didn’t restore the lost sleep or the ruined day afterwards. The room situation had already been frustrating. We had booked a balcony room but were given a ground-floor room beside reception instead. The view was of old carpets outside, and we could constantly hear conversations, even though we had been told it would be quiet. Our request to move was ignored despite other rooms seeming to be available. There were some good points. The room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and free underground parking was useful. It had a coffee machine and a safe, although the safe wasn’t attached to anything. Breakfast at a nearby restaurant offered about five choices and was acceptable, though fresh fruit would have been welcome. Still, the alarm experience completely overshadowed everything else. I can still hear it in my head, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Two stars.

Sara deserves all the credit here. She answered every question we had and was the best part of the service. The hotel itself was beautiful, and our room was clean, although it didn’t feel especially fresh. The location also wasn’t quite what we expected, but Sara’s help made a big difference.

The room itself was clean and comfortable, but I’d choose another hotel next time. Breakfast meant walking briefly to a different building, where there were very few choices and the staff were unfriendly. The only thing we actually liked was the yoghurt. The receptionist sent us to a sister hotel for sunbeds, but they said those were reserved for their own guests. We ended up at Ocean View instead, where the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful. For the same price, there are probably better options nearby.

Noemí Hotel was a lovely base for visiting Himara. It’s modern, nicely designed, and only a short walk from the beach. Our room was spacious, very clean, and comfortable, just right for a relaxing holiday. The staff were genuinely kind and helpful, and made us feel at home. I’d highly recommend it to anyone coming to Himara. It really is a hidden gem on the Albanian Riviera.