Stylisphere’s Experience
A place that respects, aligns with, and cherishes nature tends to cultivate a profound sense of longevity and harmony. Such environments, where the natural world is valued and protected, often endure through generations. Stylisphere experienced one of these proud establishments in Albania, and we felt more closer to nature and in peace than ever.
Located in the scenic Drymades region of the Albanian Riviera, Drymades Bungalows stands as a testament to a family’s enduring commitment to both environmental stewardship and local heritage. Originally founded in 2001 by their grandparents, whose deep affection for Drymades inspired the establishment, the bungalows have remained a family-operated business dedicated to sustainable tourism practices. Surrounded by olive groves and offering stunning views of the coastline, the accommodations blend harmoniously with their surroundings, providing guests with a peaceful retreat while preserving the area’s natural beauty. Today, succeeding generations manage the business with the same care and dedication, ensuring that Drymades Bungalows continues to uphold its reputation for hospitality and environmental responsibility.
“The first road for passing cars was opened by our family over the years, where once only those with high off-road vehicles used to come. We grew up spending every summer in absolute greenery, with bunkers still on the beach and foxes and dogs crossing our path”, the grandkids recall with nostalgia. “The beach and the area are actually called Perviol. The name ‘Drymades’ has been derived precisely from the naming of the hotel, as the locals would use this name to call the village Dhërmi.”, they proudly state.
The 4 blue cottages are 12 of the oldest houses of the area, and their history is very well preserved. The bungalows have changed their character over the years, but its core principles have remained steadfast over time, and we hope they will endure for generations to come, so they can experience what feeling being close to nature is. Bungalows’ fundamental principles include living in harmony with nature, protecting and caring for it both within and outside the space, cultivating existing greenery (olive trees, oranges, mulberries, onions, citron) and living in simplicity like back in the day. Accomodation, breakfast and parking are included in the price, while today it is adults only.
Drymades also features a restaurant and a cocktail bar.
The restaurant
One of our favourites in Tirana, Eos Mezze, can be finally found in the South, right in Drymades, making it so easy to decide where our first stop will be. The design is unencumbered by conventional architecture, allowing nature to shine in its purest form. Nature has adorned it better than any architect could, as the ivy covering almost the entire restaurant is 20 years old. History is preserved nostalgically even in the restaurant area. It’s not a typical seafood restaurant, but one where sea bass fillets are served with truffle and carpaccio is laid on oysters. The menu, designed by Genti Skëndaj, same as in Eos in Tirana, is influenced by all the cultures we as Albanians have embraced: Turkish, Greek, Italian, and our own traditional ones. Most dishes are mezze, and even the main courses are conceptualized to be shared among friends at the table.
The cocktail bar
360drymades offers a 360-degree experience where you can indulge all senses, not just with cocktails and thoughtful architecture, but as an entire experience. 360 is that small neighborhood in Dhërmi with green doors, that old house in traditional tiles, bricks, and shutters of Tirana, encompassing a bit of everything to make everyone feel at home, from every region; just like the nostalgic feeling of the past.
To ensure you don’t miss out, enjoy a cocktail from the second floor while witnessing the daily spectacle nature paints across the sky, from sunsets to starlit nights, especially in August when stargazing is unparalleled in frequency.
360 features cocktails crafted by Abas Albania to bring you closer to the past. Cocktails you must try:
Çika Cocktail: named after the mountain tea mixed with white grape, adorned in a glass which decor symbolizes the sunset in Drymades.
Parbaroza Cocktail: a blend of elderflower cordial reminiscent of the grandparents’ memories and elderflower liqueur.
Human beings have an innate connection to nature, a bond that transcends time and culture. As urbanization and modern living continue to shape our landscapes, the pull of nature remains strong, beckoning us to return, to recharge, and to rediscover the essence of what it means to be human. A place like Drymades Bungalows that embraces and loves nature not only sustains itself but also enriches the lives of those who inhabit it, creating a lasting legacy of conservation and respect for the Earth’s precious ecosystems.
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