Published: Less than 20 min ago
Early on Friday morning, chaos broke out at the Apollo hotel Prestige Resort in Albania.
About 50 Swedes got to see how the hotel area was demolished by excavators.
– People are cut off, there are police and roadblocks, says the traveler Johan.
The Albanian four-star hotel is described on Apollo’s website as a resort where you stay in the best location: “The hotel has a large pool area overlooking the sparkling water.”
For five days, Johan and his wife have been at the hotel and enjoyed cooling dips in the pools.
But early on Friday morning, they realized that the hotel area had finished bathing.
– We woke up to a bloody drilling outside the window, he says.
Johan looked out the window and saw to his surprise how large machines were drilling the pool and parts of the hotel grounds.
– People are cut off. It’s chaos here, police and cordons, TV crews and journalists. Then there are the staff from Apollo who try to find new hotels for the residents.
Even Swedish Melker and his girlfriend stay hidden in the hotel room while the chaos goes on outside.
– They told us to stay away. They are still digging out there, he says and continues:
– I woke up at seven this morning from something that squealed like hell. I thought “what the hell was that?”. Then, when we were going to have breakfast, there were 50 policemen standing and surrounding the pools. The hotel staff stood by and cried, they didn’t know where to go.
“Difficult situation”
According to Johan, no official explanation has been given as to why large machines are destroying the resort.
– But there is talk that the hotel owner is in the opposition to the government. That the current government decided on this because the owner’s political attitude does not match theirs.
– If so, it is very serious. After all, it is a country that is part of the EU, he says.
He says that the trip to Albania was a last-minute trip but that they will never, ever go back.
– We are flying home tomorrow, he says and has to end the conversation, drilling has intensified and it is no longer possible to hear each other.
Melker also worries about the situation.
– You’ve heard how Albania has become more attractive to tourists, but you still get a little worried. What if something happens to us, you never know if there will be a shooting or something. It is a difficult situation, he says.
UD: No crisis situation
According to Apollo’s press manager Sandra Miller Kinge, about 50 Swedes live in the hotel and they are now working to get the situation under control.
– We have close communication with the hotel and authorities, and have staff on site down in Albania that you can contact if you are worried. We are doing everything we can to resolve this.
Apollo does not know what is behind the resurrection.
– From what I understand, it is some form of damage to a pool. It’s not fun, it’s one less pool to use. But as far as we know, nothing threatening happened. We follow the development and try to ensure that the guests have a good time.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes in an email to Aftonbladet:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of an incident at a hotel in Albania, but has no information indicating that it is a consular crisis situation. Affected travelers who have questions should contact their tour operator.