Life Gallery Hotel

The hotel has a nice look and the room was spacious, but I wouldn’t come back. Better places can be found in the area for less money. The buffet breakfast was really good when available, yet during our three-night stay we only got it once. It seems much more attention goes into the aesthetic than into the service and facilities. Outside the weekend or peak periods, the experience felt reduced. The sauna and steam room weren’t switched on, even after we asked for the next day, and there was dirt in the pool. Communication about these problems and other matters was poor. The room also needed some basics, such as somewhere to hang towels, a toilet roll holder, balcony furniture, and a way to control the air conditioner. When we arrived, the room was flooded and we couldn’t check in. Staff sent us to another nearby hotel without telling us beforehand, so we had no choice, and we had to pay for that room ourselves. We didn’t expect the hotel to cover it, but a small gesture, like a complimentary drink or meal at their restaurant, would have been appropriate for a hotel calling itself 4 star.

The coffee was as good as we’ve come to expect in Albania. We met some locals there, and the building itself was beautiful from the outside. Ivy partly covered the sign, which actually added to its charm. Inside, the woodwork was amazing and the space was very roomy.

The food was good, but the waiter’s service seriously lowered the rating. He mixed up two orders, brought different dishes, and still insisted they were correct. The “Life Soup” was tomato-based, yet he kept saying it was the right soup. A pregnant woman at our table ordered vegetable spring rolls, but they contained only cheese. The waiter claimed there was “vegetable powder” inside, although the filling was completely colorless and just white.

I last stayed here 4 years ago, and that experience wasn’t very good. It has since become a fully renovated hotel with striking style and great service. The rooms are very spacious, and the bar and restaurant are fantastic. Don’t miss it if you’re in Korca.