Paradise Hotel

The views were great, the hotel position apart from it being on a hill which if you had a walking problems you needed a taxi (thats another story. When we arrived we had to carry our own cases (I'm 73 and my wife 66 years old) the staff were not interested. The owner looked and acted as if we were intruders and should not be there. One of the two brothers was just interested in getting as many Euros off you as possible. We were there for two weeks and will not be going back. Skyathos is a lovely Island and apart from the staff of the Paradise Hotel the people were lovely too.

We would agree with the reviewer who stayed at the Paradise in Aug and Sept. We stayed for a week at the beginning of Sept purely on the back of the good reviews we read on here and wished we'd researched it a little better. The hotel is nice enough to look at, the views are great, the guests (99% English the week we were there) were all very friendly, the free bus service is handy but without it you'd be either stuck in the hotel or paying a lot of taxi fares. The hotel is up a very steep hill - the day after the first time we walked down it our legs were so stiff! We daren't walk up it! Then when you get to the foot there is a bus stop just to the right but you're more likely to be stopped by a passing taxi. And don't be surprised if he stops again along the way and picks up another waiting passenger! It's fairly common! But don't expect a discount! Back at the hotel, there were just too many small annoyances for us to say we really enjoyed our stay. Breakfast outside would have been much more enjoyable, the attitude of the staff was rather arrogant at times, you felt more of an inconvenience to them than a welcomed guest, the pool wasn't heated which, even in 30c, made it unpleasant to get in to. The palm trees weren't enough to break the wind which made it decidely chilly by the pool sometimes, when you weren't swatting the wasps away (not a problem of the hotel though to be fair, it's all over the island). The food was acceptable at best, would recommend you went to any of the tavernas or restaurants in Skiathos town instead. In the room the beds were very hard, the pillows weren't much better, the shower was terrible - took over 5 mins to warm up and then flooded the bathroom every time due to the short shower curtain. The fridge would have been handy for keeping water cool but apparently they wanted 3 euros a day for it. All in all, the hotel has fab views and we had a relaxing holiday in Skiathos but were glad the room was as reasonable in price as it was, we wouldn't have liked to have paid any more.

This is a family run hotel. The staff are very friendly . Good food. Great location for the views. Free bus to town 6 times a day. Rooms very clean.Relaxing holiday great weather. First time to stay at the hotel will definately go back again. NEXT YEAR.

We have just returned from Skiathos after spending two weeks in August/September and can confirm that it is possible for Paradise to get even better. This year the weather was even excellent, not controlled by the family, but added even more to our holiday experience. We have been before so are fully aware of the steep hill to the Hotel, having walked up to the Hotel once, and only once but it is much easier walking down hence the need and use of their own Mini Bus to and from Skiathos Town. Six times a day, to and from Town and all included in the price, is that not value for money, and you can be reassured you will never be left behind, with the drivers care and attention for detail. This year we were welcomed with a Buffet Styled Breakfast, an additional service from 2005. One of the only Hotels we have found that has sufficient room for all your needs and cleanliness has never been a problems whenever we have stayed, quite the opposite. It is a true family run Hotel, were nothing is ever too much trouble, care and attention to the needs of all its visitors being key, and we enjoyed our stay with this true Greek family. Skiathos itself has changed little, not spoiled by too many tourists, although appearing much cleaner around the harbour. The eating places from the uniquely Greek to more English but plenty to choose from and the Bus ... well to travel by Bus is an experience on its own, and lets hope it never changes particularly the journey to the Monastry, an absolute must. We booked the holiday through the Olympic website and travelled by Astreus, even with all the security problems arriving before time both ways. Yes Paradise has got better and with luck and fair winds we hope to return in 2007

My wife Sue and I returned to the Paradise Hotel after an enjoyable visit just about a year ago. This year our 28-year old son came with us, and we all had a good and relaxing time. What we look for in holidays at this time of year is the chance to "chill out" in an attractive location in friendly and comfortable conditions. This is what the Paradise Hotel provides. But, If you want exciting night life, this isn't the place for you, unless you're prepared to travel into Skiathos Town of an evening (see below). The hotel is very family-orientated, being run by Vaios Ekonomou, his sons Dimitrios and Kostas, and their families. Don't be surprised to see a lot of Dimitrios' young son and baby daughter. They all make you feel part of the family, which is one reason why some guests return year on year. If you need help, nothing is too much trouble for them. The hotel is situated off the beaten track in the hills near Katsarou, and has wonderful views of the southern coastline and of nearby islands. You can get to Skiathos Town by using the hotel's free minibus which departs at several fixed times during the day. And you can use the island's bus service that operates on the main road which runs along the south coast. But, unless you're very fit, don't try walking up from the main road to the Paradise Hotel, as the road is long and very steep in parts, and the walk is taxing. Ideally, hire a 4WD jeep (c. 30 euros per day), and this gives you the means to visit other parts of the island and its many lovely beaches via unpaved roads (there are a fair number of them). If you're an animal lover, be sure to visit the Skiathos Dog Shelter in the hills (it's well marked on the free map of the island). You'll be heartened by the wonderful job that the volunteers there are doing to improve the lives of the abandoned dogs and cats of Skiathos. And there's the opportunity to take their canine residents for walks - a joy and a priviledge. If I were to be super-critical, I would like to see the beds improved, as they're pretty hard compared with what we have at home and I find that this is bad for peaceful sleep. But we've found this to be the case with most holidays in contiental Europe (however, nothing beats our experiences in Mexico!). Also, this time it was difficult to stop the shower soaking the bathroom floor, and wet feet can present quite a safety hazard on marble floors. But these were just small things in the context of a great holiday, and, as they say, "When in Rome,...". Graham.

My wife and me stayed 2 weeks in August and September in Paradise Hotel. Numerous admiring reviews on paradise hotel convinced us to choose it for holyday in Skiathos. I'm not the kind to write reviews of hotels though I appreciate a lot the people who do it. But now I have a feeling having been deceived. All these laudatory reviews without any critics as if it were concealed advertising sent by hotel itself unfortunately didn't seem suspicious and didn't put me on my guard. Of course, the hotel is well situated in a nice and calm place but more than 1km from the main road and there is no question of "walking down the road, past the olive groves, to Vasilias Beach" as written on web site. The slope is so heavy (15-20%) that you'll probably make it once but not twice. One shouldn't expect to find rooms of high luxury, they are just correct with problems like leaking taps, too short shower curtain and the hole of the water flow not in the lowest point on the floor in the bathroom. The little fridge is to be stopped at night because of noise. The A/C is regulated by hotel so often working as a simple fan. The breakfast is similar to other greek hotels of this category. It's just a pity that as fruits there were often only apples and oranges that for Greece would be a common thing in December but not in September. If you can't stand cigarette smoke try to chose a table at a distance from the bar; the owner who is every morning there is a heavy non-stop smoker. The room where the breakfast is taken looks like a canteen. Why not to serve the breakfast on a lovely terrace just nearby! The restaurant's cuisine resemble to any touristic restaurant in Skiathos or Athens. The plates are generous but without originality and refinement. The red wine is served literally in room temperature, sometimes at + 30C in a hot evening!!! The staff of the hotel is quite falsely friendly next to hypocrite and evidently is more busy about money income then the minor problems that the clients might have while the stay in hotel. They sometimes artificially create problems where they could be easily avoided. We waited three days an answer to a simple question if we could make a late check-out.Under the pretext that our room was taken by a new client in the evening we had to leave earlier. But at the same moment we were said if we wanted to stay a few days more it would be possible to stay in the same room !!! The days we didn't dinner in the hotel restaurant the staff wanted to know in which restaurant we were and why and after were pulling a long face. Skiathos with its fantastic sandy and shallow beaches is a perfect choice for quiet and idle summer holidays. As for hotel don't expect a lot. Just enjoy the sea and sun and relax.

We have stayed in many hotels over the years. This is definitely the most friendly and welcoming hotel we haved stayed at (thanks to Dimitri and Kostas) It is also great value for money.

I went there for the second year this summer with some other friends of mine, fantastic place, excellent food, and the kindness of the ownrs it's really splendid. I surely will return in this hotel and I would like to suggest it to everybody who wants to visit skiathos! Samantha, Milan, Italy

first rate location, first rate service by two frindly and helpful brothers, great food, pool, bar, restaurant, accomodation, courtesy bus to town. these people really care about the service they provide. highest. recomendation.

After reading the reviews about the hotel we decided to spend a week at paradise hotel and now, after our stay there, the only good thing we can write about is the spendid location. All other topics are really negative. The bulding itself needs to be renovated, especially the showers and air conditioning. The rooms are too basic and they are very very badly cleaned . Breakfast is very poor (no fresh cakes) and the fixed menu for dinner is vey hard to accept. The daughter of my husband felt sick during the holiday and for two times she ate only a chicken fillet: for this request they asked us to pay the difference!!! (12 euros). Incredible but true! The last day in the hotel we had shower in the pool because they don't offer any courtesy room. Something else? Oh yes, the worst thing is the staff's attitude: rude and touchy. After some discusssion with the staff a waiter (the son of the owner) told me to relax and enjoy my holiday.... I say to you: "Enjoy Skiathos but don't stay at Paradise Hotel!!" Valentina, Fernando and Greta - Italy