Accor’s premium boutique brand MGallery has opened its first hotel in Albania, marking a strategic move into one of Europe’s most talked-about emerging destinations. The Green Coast Hotel, set on the Albanian Riviera in Palasë, aims to combine high-end hospitality with wellness-led experiences and a strong local identity.
Located between the Ionian Sea and the Ceraunian Mountains, the 131-room hotel sits roughly an hour’s drive from the new Vlora International Airport, due to open in mid-2025. The timing coincides with Albania’s growing profile among European holidaymakers, as rising visitor numbers and infrastructure investment shift the country further into the mainstream travel market.
The hotel features a five-floor wellness centre offering spa treatments, a gym, sauna and holistic therapies. Experiences such as full-moon beach yoga, guided hikes along the historic Caesar Trail, and paragliding from the cliffs are positioned as core parts of the hotel’s offer.
Interiors use local stone and subdued natural tones, with architectural elements referencing Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences. Rooms face the sea, while the hotel’s five suites feature bespoke touches including handwoven Albanian textiles and carved stonework.
The hotel’s main restaurant, Mosaic, serves dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, blending traditional Albanian cuisine with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. The reception bar, Mente, offers cocktails such as the ‘Golden Laurel’, made with local raki infused with rosemary and sage.
Guests can also take part in vineyard visits, cooking classes and honey tastings — part of a broader emphasis on connecting visitors with the region’s food culture.
The hotel has partnered with UN Women in Albania to support gender equality initiatives and provide opportunities for local communities, with a focus on promoting more inclusive tourism.
Business travellers are also being targeted, with dedicated event spaces designed to host small meetings and mid-sized conferences, all with sea views and catering from the in-house team.
MGallery’s move into Albania reflects a wider trend of international brands seeking early entry into relatively untapped markets, as the southern Balkans continue to attract investment and international attention.
