Hotel Empire Albania

The hotel offers a distinctive stay, characterized by its luxurious and classic interior design and a popular rooftop pool that provides a relaxing escape with pleasant views. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's commitment to cleanliness, the comfort of its accommodations, and the generally attentive service from the staff. Its prime location makes it an excellent choice for sightseers eager to explore the area's attractions and for couples seeking a romantic and comfortable retreat. Families also find the spacious rooms accommodating for their needs, though some specific amenities might vary. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to confirm specific room amenities upon arrival, as some guests noted discrepancies, and be aware that while the hotel's main staff are highly praised, feedback regarding the separate beach bar service is notably mixed, suggesting a need for clear expectations regarding that particular service.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's rooftop pool is a significant draw, frequently praised as a fabulous and beautiful space for relaxation, though some guests found it to be more of a plunge pool and occasionally overcrowded. While the Wi-Fi generally receives positive remarks for being top-notch, a few guests reported unreliable connections. The elevator is noted for its quick operation, contributing to overall convenience. Guests appreciate the availability of complimentary cooled water at the entrance and the option of a charming sunroom for breakfast. However, a notable point of concern is the advertised fitness center, which some guests reported as non-existent despite being featured in promotional materials. The hotel also offers access to a hammam, though scrubbing services are not included. The separate beach bar, while a popular spot, is often mentioned with mixed feedback regarding its atmosphere and service.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained with daily cleaning services. The beds are consistently praised for being very comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Many rooms are noted for their spaciousness and often include a balcony, sometimes with sun exposure throughout the day. The showers are powerful, and bathrooms are generally spacious. However, some guests reported issues such as a persistent unpleasant smell from the bathroom, broken toilet seats, loose wall sockets, and inadequate lighting. While basic soaps, shampoos, and towels are provided, some found the quantity minimal. Air conditioning is effective, but noise levels from outside traffic or neighboring rooms can be an issue, despite claims of soundproofing. Some rooms also lacked expected amenities like a kettle or safe.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on breakfast is quite varied; many guests found it to be very good with a wide selection, fresh options, and generous portions, including eggs and pancakes. However, some described it as basic, repetitive, or lacking variety after a few days, with occasional issues like empty milk dispensers or a lack of labels for food items. The overall food quality at the hotel and its associated beach restaurant receives mixed reviews, with some guests enjoying tasty and fresh meals, while others found the food awful or experienced issues like cold dishes. The coffee prepared at the bar is often highlighted as superior to that from the breakfast machine. For those on the all-inclusive package, there were significant complaints about the quality and limited selection of food and drinks, leading many to dine elsewhere.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, placing guests within easy walking distance of numerous shops, bars, and restaurants. It is also well-situated for beach access, being just a short walk, typically within five minutes, from the beach and its promenade. The hotel offers its own private beach area with sunbeds, which is appreciated by many. Public transportation, including a bus stop for easy access to the city center, is also very close by. While the location is generally praised, some guests noted that the hotel is situated next to a noisy busy road, which can lead to disturbances, particularly at night. Parking is a recurring concern, with many guests reporting a lack of dedicated hotel parking and difficulty finding safe street parking.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently describe them as amazing, going above and beyond to assist with requests, from quick issue resolution to providing special accommodations like birthday cakes or vegan breakfast options. The check-in process is generally smooth, with staff often allowing early check-ins or late check-outs. Housekeeping is typically praised for maintaining spotlessly clean rooms with daily service, though some specific complaints arose regarding floor cleaning, linen changes, or not emptying bins. In contrast, feedback concerning the separate beach bar staff is notably negative, with multiple reports of rudeness, unprofessionalism, and a perceived lack of customer service, which significantly impacted some guests' overall experience.

Additional Information
A significant point of feedback revolves around the all-inclusive package, which many guests strongly advise against due to perceived poor value, limited and repetitive food choices, and low-quality alcoholic beverages. Guests on this plan often found themselves eating meals outside the hotel. Another recurring issue is the lack of pool towels or beach towels provided by the hotel, requiring guests to bring their own or use room towels, which is often discouraged. Some guests who paid extra for rooms with a jacuzzi reported that these features were not functional upon arrival, leading to disappointment and frustration. Additionally, some rooms were noted to lack basic amenities like glasses or cups. The hotel's overall interior design, while described as luxurious, was sometimes perceived as dated by a few guests.