Abonora Drymades. This is the new Albanian hotel you need to know about

With Ionian Sea vistas, impeccable service and uninterrupted rest -this Albanian gem may just have it all. Abonora Drymades breathes, drawing in the fresh, salty air that whips off the Ionian Sea and allowing it to fill its white-washed lungs, to uplift the pathways that connect guest rooms with thoughtful spaces, dining areas, outdoor living and the pool that perfectly kisses the ocean beyond it. Nestled on the rugged southern coastline of Albania, Abonora Drymades is designed to offer guests a space for longer-term stays without skimping on luxury. The newly opened property is more like a community than a hotel, with a local market, shopping store, seafood restaurant, sushi bar, lounge bar, pastry coffee shop and swimming pool with sea views.

ROOMS

Set on the beachfront, the hotel embodies relaxed minimalism, with hotel rooms housed in whitewashed buildings. It feels like moving into a very chic village, where you have easy access to a lounge bar and restaurant. This extremely well-designed sea-facing structure is nothing short of an architectural marvel. Inside, a deep respect for nature continue: an earth-toned palette is complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that offer undisturbed views across the surrounding. Rooms at Abonora Drymades take on an endearing Mediterranean charm, with calming neutral hues woven in with wooden furniture and sumptuous beds. Abonora has 16 rooms in total, 13 looking out over the sea, while others look out toward the pool turquoise waters.

FOOD & DRINKS

Hungry? There’s an in-house restaurant serving seafood and local cuisine, with dishes inspired by Ionian Sea and crafted using seasonal, fresh and mostly local ingredients. Serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary touch, the kitchen team invites guests to discover the story behind each dish. Breakfast offerings include a mix of local and international dishes, while the lunch and dinners menus feature a range of fresh, uplifting dishes, including black risotto with squid ink and chopped squid, fresh fish on the salt cooked in the oven, Abonora salad with mango, avocado and chicken, and Safragnoli, ravioli with saffron, walnuts and sage collected from Llogara mountain.

EXPERIENCES

The hotel sits right in front of Drymades beach, with the centre of Dhërmi -a soulful small town with a Mediterranean spirit yet the humble soul of a traditional mountain village- just a 10-minute drive car that weaves along olive fields and through labyrinthine streets. Here you’ll find traditional houses, bougainvillea-dressed streets, old churches including the Monastery of Saint Mary, on the top of the village, one of the best preserved Orthodox churches of the country. Vuno -an enchanting village tucked into the centre of olive groves in the hills –is just a 20-minute drive away, and offers visitors a quintessentially historic Albanian village experience (think narrow, winding streets, coffee shop with a breathtaking view on the Ionian Sea), while Gjipë is a secluded white sand beach known for a cave complex carved into the surrounding cliffs. For relaxation after a day of visits, you can choose between the idyllic private beach or swimming pool, both only accessible to hotel guests.

INFORMATION

Find out more about Abonora Drymades.
Location: Rruga Perivolo, Dhërmi
Cost: From €120