Hotel Nertili

The room I was given had a side sea view, and moving to a higher floor after I spoke with reception didn’t change that. Most of what I could see was other buildings and the parking area, with only a small glimpse of the sea from the side. I’d booked a Superior Double Sea View through Agoda, and the listing hadn’t said the view might be partial. In my experience, the “Sea View” option isn’t worth the extra money if you’re expecting a proper view of the sea.

The steps down to the hotel are worth knowing about before you arrive. You need to come by car or walk down quite a few steps, so it may be difficult if you have mobility issues, even though there’s a lift to each floor. The hotel is right on the sea with its own private beach. My second-floor room was very clean, with a comfortable bed, good air conditioning, and a great shower. Toiletries were provided, along with a small fridge and two free bottles of water. The pillows were too deep for me, as they are in most hotels. Breakfast had more choice than I’ve had at any of my previous six stays in hotels in Albania, and the restaurant has a lovely sea view. It would be helpful to label the breakfast dishes. WiFi worked well in my room, reception, and the restaurant. The staff were helpful, especially the young girl at reception, who helped me get information from an Albanian speaker who didn’t speak English. I’d happily stay again.

Moving around during the day was difficult because of the terrain, though the room was good and cleaned regularly. It was missing a mirror, and there were no shutters on the windows, so we woke as soon as the sun came up. The worst part was the owner, a gloomy-faced man dressed as a waiter, wandering around the restaurant. Portions coming from the kitchen weren’t consistent. When we pointed that out, he wouldn’t accept it and behaved harshly.

Our spotless, well-equipped room had modern decor and a balcony overlooking the Ionian Sea. It was a comfortable place to sit with morning coffee or watch the sunset. The hotel is a short walk from both the beach and town center, with lovely sea views, and the staff made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. Breakfast had a good variety, and the restaurant served some of the best local dishes I’ve had in Albania. The staff were the highlight for me: they helped with recommendations for local sights and made sure everything went smoothly. Hotel Nertili exceeded my expectations. It’s a peaceful, convenient base in Saranda, and I highly recommend it. I’ll definitely return.