Hotel Livia

Our guided tour of Butrint included a meal at the Livia. We were advised to pre-order our food to assist the restaurant, due to the number of people entering at the same time. My husband ordered the fish, my son and myself ordered the chicken. Bread baskets, plates of salad, tzatziki and feta cheese were placed on the tables to share. These seemed fresh and tasted good, although we did have to fight off the flies who were circling constantly during our meal. The main meals were less pleasant. The chicken was very tough and almost rubbery. The fish (the type of which was no specified) was pleasant tasting, but it was quite difficult to eat due to the vast numbers of bones inside - the fish was served in full, with no filleting. Both options were served with stone-cold carrots, potatoes and some sort of slimy cucumber which was not appealing. The waiters were working hard, especially given the number of people they had to feed, but they did not offer up menus for people to select drinks. When another guest on our table requested information on the price of a beer, the waiter blanked them and simply returned with a beer - which then needed paying for. Not ideal. There were also a number of cats and dogs running about the restaurant. They seemed friendly but they continually pestered guests who were trying to eat, begging for food. One of the dogs was particularly smelly; a member of staff said that the dog loved to jump in the lake and that was why. It is very well positioned if you are visiting Butrint, being walking distance from the entrance of the archaeological site, but it wouldn't be my first choice and I would suggest that it is worth travelling a little further when looking for a meal.

This hotel is the most convenient for Butrint Archaeological site. However it is sad and rundown. Maybe when it was refurbished over 10 years ago, it was ok, but on arrival, we wanted a shower. The bathroom was tiny. The shower tray has no curtain or glass sides - I. Fact, when you sit on the loo, your feet are in the shower tray! As soon as the shower was turned on, the shower hose attachment shot off, and water sprayed everywhere. We reported this to management, and a very nice young man who spoke English came to see the problem. He claimed to have fixed it after much thumping and banging, but what was really needed was a replacement hose. The next morning, the shower hose shot off again. When we mopped up the water using towels, it became apparent how filthy the floor was. This place is so run down and tatty, poorly managed (think Fawlty Towers). Food poor. Avoid!

Excellent hotel, amazing food and very helpful customer service. We stayed in the suite with balcony which I highly recommend if you can get it because it was very pretty, comfortable and clean with great views. The breakfast was great (we tried the eggs, omelette and toastie all of which I recommend) dinner was also very tasty with lots of options.