Apparently, nothing says “public service” quite like transforming government properties into luxury hotels—especially when the “public” part of those properties quietly vanishes in a cloud of spa treatments and designer furniture.
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| Government residence in Vlora |
In an effort they like to call the “Hospitality Subproject,” a name that might as well be taken from a corporate satire, several companies have advanced to the second phase of the bidding process. For Velipojë, three brave champions of elite tourism have made the cut, including “Soleil and Sea,” a charmingly named company ready to soak up the sun and, one assumes, a few state-owned square meters.
But wait, Vlorë is even hotter. Four bidders have been shortlisted to convert not one, but three government villas—because why waste a single state asset when you can repurpose an entire collection?
Of course, this is all part of a noble mission: “to transform these deteriorated and underutilized structures into contemporary centers of elite tourism and economic development,” say the documents. Translation: the state can’t be bothered to maintain public properties, so let’s turn them into 5-star oases for those who can afford €500-a-night rooms (or just happen to hold public office).
And don’t worry, officials won’t be left out in the cold. According to the fine print, high-ranking state figures will still enjoy full access to these “boutique hotel” spaces—just under new management and shinier chandeliers. Because nothing says egalitarian governance like enjoying mojitos in a luxury villa built on land once held in the name of the people.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the poetic scale of the operation. In Vlorë, Villa No. 2 (1,126 m²), Villa No. 6 (332.48 m²), and Villa No. 9 (186 m²) will all be transformed into “models of sustainability”—because nothing screams “eco-friendly” quite like luxury resorts built on formerly public land. Meanwhile, in Velipojë, a staggering 8,100 m² of government property is being prepared for rebranding as an “elite accommodation destination.” All with a splash of innovation and a side of architectural concept proposals sealed in envelopes. Classy.
Perhaps the most delightful detail comes at the end. The documents assure us that institutions will benefit too—by gaining “new, more functional spaces” within these high-end hotels. In other words, the state gets a few rooms in the building it used to own. How generous.
So here we are, watching as public property becomes private luxury, wrapped in PR buzzwords like “development,” “sustainability,” and “heritage.” And if you hear laughter, it’s probably just history—chuckling softly from the corner suite of Villa No. 2.