The Mussel House — Restaurant in Bashkia Sarandë

Despite my disappointing experience at the restaurant, I still recommend this hotel and restaurant to other people. There are many positive aspects that I don't want to overlook. Firstly, the location of the hotel is stunning, offering breathtaking views of the lake. The rooms are beautiful and comfortable, providing a pleasant stay. Upon arrival, our rooms were not ready, but we were able to enjoy a delicious lunch. The service was excellent at that time - attentive, kind, and friendly. I had reserved a table for dinner with a beautiful view of the lake, but the evening brought a series of negative experiences.

The manager approached us and informed us that he had a lovely table for us. When I mentioned that I had reserved a different table, he claimed that specific table reservations were not possible. However, when I made the reservation, it was allowed. I spoke to the girl who handled the reservation, and she apologized but gave a different explanation. She said that the people occupying the table had been there since 1:00 PM and did not know they would stay until dinner. However, this was not accurate, as we also had lunch there at 1:00 PM, and those people were not at the table. Only apologies were offered, and nothing more!

Our table was located near the bar door, which meant constant traffic as people entered and exited. This significantly dampened the mood of our evening. We were only staying at the hotel for one day, and we naturally wanted to enjoy the beautiful view. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Furthermore, we ordered appetizers and main courses. First, we received the main courses, followed by the French fries that were supposed to accompany them, and finally, the appetizers... As a last gesture, the manager approached us and offered complimentary desserts. While this was a nice gesture, it did not make up for the overall disappointing experience.

The next day, breakfast started at 8:30 AM (quite late, in my opinion). We arrived precisely at 8:30 AM, and they were just opening and cleaning the tables. It took a while to receive breakfast, and there was no option to choose; we were simply served whatever they had prepared for the day. This was also quite unusual. Despite these incidents, I still believe that this hotel has potential. The overall ambiance, delicious food, and beautiful rooms are worth noting. My personal experience may have been below expectations, but I hope that future guests will have a more positive experience and be able to enjoy all the wonderful aspects this hotel and restaurant...

A Serene Seafood Haven: The Mussel House

Rating: 5/5 stars

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Mussle House, nestled beautifully on the shores of Lake of Butrint , and it exceeded my expectations in every way. This hidden gem offers breathtaking lake views, cozy cabin lodges and exceptional seafood cuisine.

Ambiance

The moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were struck by the warm, rustic charm and panoramic views of the serene lake. The décor blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a tranquil atmosphere perfect for special occasions or relaxed gatherings.

Cuisine

The seafood was incredibly fresh and expertly prepared. Standouts included the succulent grilled salmon, flavorful seafood paella and decadent lobster roll. The menu boasts an impressive variety, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.

Boat Mussel Tour

The highlight of our visit was the guided boat tour to harvest mussels. Our knowledgeable guide shared fascinating insights into sustainable aquaculture practices and the region's marine ecosystem. Watching the sunset while learning about mussel farming was truly unforgettable.

Service

Attentive, knowledgeable staff provided exceptional service. Our server happily guided us through the menu, offering pairing suggestions from their curated wine list.

Lodges

We opted to stay in one of the cozy cabin lodges, which offered utmost comfort and scenic views. Perfect for a rejuvenating retreat.

Highlights

Stunning lake views: Unbeatable vistas of Lake of Butrint from every table. Seafood excellence: Fresh, skillfully prepared dishes. Cozy accommodations: Charming cabin lodges ideal for relaxation. Exceptional service: Attentive, well-informed staff.

Recommendations

Book a lakeside table for sunset. Try their signature seafood platter. Consider staying in the cabin lodges for a holistic experience.

Verdict

The Mussel House is a must-visit for seafood enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat. We'll...

A hit an miss experience unfortunately. Some staff were friendly, others not so friendly. They had misplaced our booking for a large group that we made days in advance and were given a table with a less favourable view (which is one of the main attractions of the restaurant- to be on the waters edge). Try to come here while it is still daylight for sunset as after this there is no view.

Lots of mosquitos and no mosquito coils or repellant to help with this issue! We didn't bring our own as we hadn't experienced this issue in Albania. BYO repellant!

Very slow service for delivery of menus/ drinks/ meals and the bill. They forgot one meal that we had ordered and gave no advice about chef recommendations/ portion sizes etc to assist with ordering for a large group.

No non-seafood items on the menu except for chips and salad which can make it difficult to attend with friends / family who do not like seafood.

The grilled local fish and the rocket salad were delicious and very reasonably priced. They also gave us a complementary fruit platter (watermelon and canteloupe) to finish which was very fresh and tasty.

A decent trek out of town (Ksamil) so accessible by taxi only- and when we asked them to assist us with getting home and they called only one taxi for a group of 8 people so we then had to call another and wait!

I would still recommend coming before sunset if you...