The marketing copy for IRINI Boutique Rooms says "private terrace in every room." That part is verifiable across listings — all 10 rooms have a patio or balcony with chairs and a small table. What the copy doesn't tell you is that not every terrace looks at the same thing — some face the sea, some face the mountains, some face the garden — and that distinction is the difference between a great booking and a meh one at this property. It's worth ten minutes of homework before you click confirm.
A note on the name. This property is IRINI boutique rooms!!! in Livadhi, Himara (formerly Bollanos Hotel, renamed in 2020). Do not confuse it with Irini's Guesthouse (formerly Irini's Olive Garden) in Qeparo, 14 km south — a different family-run property in a different village. The Booking.com URL slug for the Himara property is still
bollanos.
Which IRINI Room Should You Request?
| Room type | Terrace / balcony | View | Worth the upgrade? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea-view double / triple | Patio or balcony with chairs | Ionian Sea over Livadhi | Yes — book this first |
| Sea-view family / triple | Patio with extra chair | Sea + side mountain | Yes for families |
| Mountain-facing double | Balcony | Ceraunian Mountains | Only if sea-facing is sold out |
| Garden / courtyard | Small patio | Internal garden | Skip unless on a strict budget |
Sea-facing rooms book out first. Specify "sea-view" in the booking note and follow up by email the week before arrival if you want to lock it in.
Check IRINI Boutique Rooms rates on Booking.com →
Quick Take
| Info | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Bollanos Hotel (former name, pre-2020) |
| Type | 10-room boutique guesthouse, 3-star |
| Location | Livadhi area, Himare 9425 |
| Coordinates | 40.1103, 19.7222 |
| Distance to Livadhi Beach | ~7 minutes on foot |
| Distance to Himara town centre | ~3-4 km |
| All rooms have | Patio or balcony with seating, sea / mountain / garden view |
| Price range | From around €50/night shoulder season up to €85-90 in peak |
| Booking score | "Very Good" / around 8.9/10 across 80+ reviews (varies by snapshot) |
| Best for | Couples, slow travel, breakfast-on-the-balcony stays |
| Skip if | You need a pool or a town-centre walking base |
| Score (our take) | Strong pick if you secure a sea-view room |
What Works
Every room actually does have its own outdoor space
This is the genuine differentiator. Many "rooms with view" on the Albanian Riviera mean a balcony Juliet-style (door, railing, no chair). IRINI's listings consistently show usable outdoor space — chairs, small table, room for a coffee with a book. In sea-facing rooms in particular, the patio becomes a real part of the stay rather than a decorative feature.
Small property = real attention
With only 10 rooms the hosts know guests by name within a day or two. Reviews repeatedly call out personalised check-in, restaurant tips, and breakfast served when guests want it rather than on a strict schedule. That's the value of a 10-room property versus a 100-room hotel — for slow-stay travellers, it matters.
Beach proximity without the noise
Livadhi Beach is roughly a 7-minute walk down to the waterline. Unlike Spile Beach properties, you don't get late-night bar bass — Livadhi's bars wind down earlier and IRINI sits slightly back from the busiest stretch. Sleep is quiet.
Cleanliness and condition
The property reads as recently renovated in reviews from the last couple of seasons. Cleanliness is a recurring positive theme in guest feedback — no "tired carpet" or "smells like the previous guest" complaints.
Breakfast is included
Continental, with options that reviewers describe as "different every day" — fresh bread, local cheese, eggs, fruit, honey. For breakfast-focused travellers this is a step up from cheaper Livadhi alternatives.
There is an on-site restaurant
Often missed: the property lists an on-site Greek and pizza restaurant ("Orestis"). It is not a full hotel dining room, but it does mean dinner without leaving the property is an option — see "What doesn't" below for the catch.
What Doesn't
No pool
If you want pool plus boutique, this isn't the answer — Dimitri Hotel further along the bay has a pool at lower prices but less style, and Miamar Luxury Hotel has two pools but at roughly 3x the price.
On-site restaurant is small and seasonal
The Orestis restaurant on the property is useful for a quick dinner, but it isn't a full hotel restaurant and operating hours can be limited outside the high season. For variety across a week-long stay you'll still want to drive into Himara town or walk the seasonal Livadhi beach bars (10-15 min south) — see best restaurants in Himara for a dinner plan.
Room sizes vary
10 rooms in a small footprint means some rooms are compact. Double-check the room photos and size on the listing before booking. Family / triple rooms are properly sized; the smallest doubles can feel snug.
Garden-facing rooms underwhelm
If you book without specifying view and end up garden-side, the property's biggest selling point (the patio-with-a-view) is muted. Be explicit in the booking note.
No elevator
A small property on uneven ground — there is no lift. If mobility is a concern, ask for a ground-floor room before booking.
What It Costs (2026)
Indicative bands based on advertised seasonal pricing across booking platforms:
- May / October — typically the cheapest, often around €50-65 per night
- June / September — usually €60-80 per night
- July / August peak — €80-90+ per night, occasional minimum-stay rules
Breakfast included. Wi-Fi free. Parking is on-site (free private parking) — usually fine, gets tight in August. Confirm exact rates and inclusions on the live listing before booking.
How IRINI Compares on Livadhi
| Property | Price | View / terrace? | Pool | Restaurant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRINI Boutique Rooms | ~€50-90 | Patio every room | No | Breakfast + small on-site pizza/Greek |
| Dimitri Hotel | €40-80 | Some rooms | Yes | Breakfast only |
| Miamar Luxury Hotel | €150-280 | Sea-view rooms | Two | Main + sushi |
| Hotels-near-Livadhi cluster | varies | varies | varies | varies — see overview |
IRINI's place in the market: the smallest property, the most terrace-per-room, the strongest boutique-feel-without-resort-prices. Pick it for the morning-on-balcony vibe; pick Dimitri for the pool; pick Miamar for the spa.
Walkable From Where?
- Livadhi Beach — ~7 minutes on foot
- Livadhi beach bars (seasonal) — 10-15 minutes south
- Akuarium Trail — short walk to the trailhead area
- Himara town centre — 30+ minutes south (recommend drive)
- Castle of Himara — ~3 km away (drive recommended)
Best Time to Visit
Late May through mid-June and mid-September through mid-October are when this property hits its sweet spot. The terrace is comfortable from dawn through midnight; sea is warm enough to swim; restaurant tables in town don't need booking. July-August work but the patio is hot midday — you'll spend more time at the beach, which dilutes the property's main feature.
For broader seasonal advice see best time to visit Himara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all IRINI Boutique Rooms terraces sea-facing?
No. Of the 10 rooms, some face the Ionian Sea and Livadhi Beach, others face the Ceraunian Mountains, and a few face an internal garden. Sea-facing rooms are the ones to request specifically in the booking note. The overall "Very Good" score on Booking masks higher ratings for sea-view rooms and lower ratings for garden rooms.
How much does IRINI Boutique Rooms cost in 2026?
Rates typically run around €50-90 per night across the season. May and October are the cheapest, July-August are the priciest and may carry minimum-stay rules. Breakfast is included. Sea-view rooms tend to disappear first — book early. Confirm live pricing on the Booking.com listing.
Does IRINI Boutique Rooms have a pool?
No. If a pool is essential, book Dimitri Hotel on the same bay (similar price, has a pool, less boutique style) or Miamar Luxury Hotel for a 5-star spa property at roughly 3x the price. IRINI's value is the private terrace, not pool access.
Is IRINI the same as Irini's Guesthouse in Qeparo?
No — different properties. IRINI Boutique Rooms (this one) is in Livadhi, Himara, in the building formerly known as Bollanos Hotel. Irini's Guesthouse (formerly Irini's Olive Garden) is in Qeparo, around 14 km south, and is a separate family-run guesthouse with its own restaurant and yoga offering.
Can I walk to Himara town from IRINI?
You can, but it's 30+ minutes one way along the coastal road and uncomfortable in summer heat. Most guests drive into town for dinner (around 5 min by car) or hit the Livadhi beach bars (10-15 min walk south). If walkable town centre matters more than a private terrace, choose Himara 28 Hotel instead.
Is IRINI Boutique Rooms good for couples?
Yes — this is the property's natural fit. Small scale, personalised service, breakfast that can be taken on a private patio, quiet Livadhi beach nearby, dinner a short drive away. Shoulder-season sea-view bookings give the best version of the experience.
For broader Himara accommodation planning, see where to stay in Himara and hotels near Livadhi Beach.
