If you’re planning a trip to Ksamil, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to stay. I mean, you will hardly spend any time inside your room, but you will want to get a good night of sleep to make the most of your trip. Here’s what we learned from experience.

1. Beachfront or Close to It

Ksamil is small, but staying in the right area makes a big difference. If you want easy beach access and sunset views, book a place on the beachfront or within a few minutes' walk. Staying near the main beaches means you’ll be close to restaurants and shops, but at the same time it can get noisy at night, so you will have to take that into account as well.

2. Check the noise levels

Speaking of noise, this caught us off guard. Bars and clubs in Ksamil play music late into the night during the summer. If you’re a light sleeper or want a peaceful stay, make sure your hotel isn’t right next to a party hotspot. Check recent reviews for noise complaints, especially if you’re visiting during high season. Although, with our hotel it wasn’t extremely loud so it didn’t impact our trip.

3. Look for hotels with loungers or private beach access

This is important because in most beaches in Ksamil you have to rent a lounge chair or sunbed for the day, even just putting down your towel on the sand will cost you money. Taking into account that not all Ksamil hotels include beach chairs or breakfast, paying for these things separately can add up quickly. Some beachfront hotels offer loungers and umbrellas at no extra cost, which is a big win. Others may have swings or loungers on-site so you don’t need to rent anything at all. Always check what’s included before booking.

4. Check for Parking

If you’re renting a car (which we recommend for exploring nearby gems like Butrint or the Blue Eye - not just these but you can find more recommendations on our blog “10 Things We Wish We Had Tried In Our Trip To Ksamil in Albania”), make sure your hotel offers free or secure parking. During the busy season, street parking is chaotic and limited, so having a guaranteed spot is a huge stress-saver.

5. Don’t Just Trust the Photos

Photos can be a bit... optimistic. We always read the most recent reviews to see how a hotel actually looks and operates today. Look for consistent comments about cleanliness, staff friendliness, and whether the place looks like the pictures. And if you’re arriving during a heatwave, check if the AC actually works!

6. Breakfast included is a bonus

With limited cafes open early, breakfast at your hotel can make mornings much smoother and you will have a head start for the day as you won’t have to search for a place to eat.

Where we stayed & recommend

We stayed at Emaar Hotel in Ksamil and honestly loved it. Affordable, right by the beach, breakfast and free parking included and the swings out front made for a great spot to chill. You can check out our full experience in the blog “Best Place To Stay In Ksamil? Affordable Beachfront Hotel” or in our YouTube Channel.

Did you find this blog helpful? Please leave a like, share and a comment with something you always look out for when booking a hotel, let’s compare notes! 😅

Feel free to leave us a tip, it would really help us to keep our blog running!