Bourtzi Hotel

We stayed at Bourtzi Hotel for one week in June and we are very pleased with the hotel, staff and location. In fact it exceeded our expectations. First of all the location is perfect, it’s situated in a side street close to the main street in Skiathos town. It’s surprisingly quiet despite being located in the middle of town. The only noise is perhaps music from the hotel bar by the pool, but it ends before 11 PM so it’s not a problem. Staying in Skiathos town it’s easy to get to the bus stop for the bus that goes to the different beaches, bus stop 4 is the closest. It was nice to be so close to shops, cafes, restaurants and bars and to be able to walk home when we felt like it. I’ve stayed at quite a lot of different hotels in Greece in the past years and this is without a doubt the best hotel rated *** I’ve stayed in. The hotel area is nice, the staff is professional and the rooms were in great condition with all necessary facilities. We had refrigerator, hairdryer and television with several channels. We got new towels everyday and the cleaners did an excellent job. And I believe it’s the best bed in Southern Europe I’ve ever had. From our balcony we had a view over the pool area which was nice. The pool is not huge, but it’s clean and it was never busy. I can imagine that the pool area can get quite crowded at the peak of the season as the areas in the sun are limited, but we always found a space so we were content. The breakfast is okay(white bread, jam, honey, ham and cheese, orange juice, cookie, tea/coffee), but hey it’s free so it’s not like we expect a gourmet meal. It was really nice to enjoy it outside by the pool area. I’m definitely staying at Bourtzi when I return to Skiathos!

We have had another fantastic holiday at this hotel, (being our second visit) and our third visit to Skiathos. If you want sophistication then this is not for you, but for simple clean accommodation you will find this hard to beat. The breakfast is simple (our teenage kids didn't always appear), and the bathrooms are extremely clean with even a shower curtain!!. The hotel still has the cheapest bar on the Island!! and is family run. You wouldn't believe how centrally the hotel is situated so it is perfect for visiting the many different beaches in Skiathos by bus, or just a 10 minute walk to the local beach at Meggli Ammos. Alternatively you can walk to the port and get on one of the water taxis. This year with our friends we hired a yacht for a day!! fantastic. Will deffinitely be back for a visit next year. (Booked through Kosmar).

Booked this hotel 'blind' and on the recommendation of a greek travel agent. So pleased we did as it is a marvellous hotel. We stayed in a 'superior' room - bright, light, spotlessly clean, TV, air condtioning, shower AND a bath, fridge - and miracle of miracles - all in working order (not our general experience in Greece), clean linen and towels, rooms cleaned and tidied each day. Balcony overlooking the pool and bar area - again both were spotlessly clean as were the public toilet/shower-rooms beside the pool. Sunbeds and charis tables umbrellas available and reasoanbly priced drinks from the bar. We were able to spend nearly all day sunbathing as the sun hit the bar side of the pool from morning until night. And when it gets too hot there are cooler shady areas in which to lounge out of the glare of the sun. I understand the hotel is run by a mother and her two sons - all were friendly, polite and charming. The hotel is located only a few yards from the main market street in Skiathos town yet is a quiet oasis away from the noise and hustle and bustle. Highly recommended.

Just got back from a week in Skiathos staying at the Hotel Bourtzi. The hotel was in an excellent location in the town itself, and many of the guests were return guests some on their 8th visit. The rooms were spacious and clean and the bathrooms had been refurbished which was a plus. The only problem we had was with the rental of the air conditioning. We paid up front for the remote control at 5 euros a day but were not advised that if we decided not to use it we could get a refund, so on the next to last day we did enquire if this was possible only to be advised that we could have handed in the remote at any time and a refund would have been given. Unfortunately for us the weather was very changeable and we did not need to use it at all. We just felt that this should have been pointed out to us on arrival. The pool area was excellent and there were even a couple of very nice sections under cover with comfy settees for those seeking solance from the heat, however it would have been nice if the pool bar had been open even though the hotel was not full. All in all, a great location in the centre of Skiathos town with excellent bus and ferry services, the only comment I would make is that staff or indeed tour operators could be more informative on arrival of what is expected of it's guests.

My wife and I visited Skiathos for the first time at the end of September 04, and found it to be a lovely island, but let's start with the Bourtzi. OK, it's a nice clean hotel and the rooms are certainly a decent enough size and are well serviced. We were a little disappointed as the hotel was advertised as having Air Conditioning and Safety Deposit box as a facility, but the brochure failed to mention that you have to pay extra for both. Anyhow, the rooms were very comfortable, had great power showers, but were lacking in tea and coffee facilities which I have found to be standard elsewhere. Breakfast is a basic affair - bread, ham, cheese, jam, biscuit, juice, and coffee. We only got up for it about 4 times in 14 days, preferring to eat out or skip breakfast the rest of the time. The main problem is the pool area which basks in the shade of another block, apart from a postage stamp area which gets sun from about 1pm onwards. Only room for about 6 sun loungers there, and the pool is not heated and never gets the sun, so we certainly didn't use it and didn't see anyone else in there at any time during the 2 weeks either. There was a poolside bar, but never anyone behind it, and in the evening there weren't even lights on out the back. We were on the top floor and had a problem when it got windy one night, and something started banging around on the roof, and roof tiles were blown across the flat roof as well. We mentioned this to the rep who passed it on to the hotel owners, but nothing was done and another sleepless night followed. The couple who owned it seemed more interested in having a domestic most of the time, which didn't add to the atmosphere. On this basis, we wouldn't go back to the Bourtzi. Skiathos Town itself is lovely. A lovely main street (Papadimantis Street) with many lanes going off it up the hill and down to the harbour, most of which are home to tavernas, bars, and shops. Thankfully, the bars here AREN'T called the Red Lion, DON'T serve John Smiths, DON'T have a video playing a continuous tape loop of Only Fools And Horses, and DON'T have Kareoke and Drinking Competitions every night. If you want that, go to Ibiza. Skiathos is a much more cosmopolitan, relaxed, and generally a more sophisticated affair. Ideal for couples of all ages, but also with enough for families. A must is Maria's Pizza. Just ask a local for directions. People queue for over 30 mins outside but it's worth it. The best fresh cooked pizza and pasta anywhere, and all done by Maria herself with help from 2 prep staff and 1 very friendly waitress. There are plenty of other great restaurants, but we found it best to steer clear of bargain meals. On the whole, you get what you pay for. Try the local meatballs, or souvlaki (skewered pork, chicken, etc). Very nice if you get them at the right place. There are lots of nice bars, many of which a re quite chilled. Plenty of cocktails to be had, but best to get them at happy hour (tends to be 7-9), or you could be paying over £5 a time. The island is pretty small. For less than a £1, you can get the bus all the way along to the other end of the island. There's basically one road along the south side, with 26 stops along the way. The buses run very efficiently every 15 mins. It's well worth getting the bus to stop 26 which is where you will find the beach at Koukonaries. Listed as one of the Top 10 in the world, you can see why. It boasts a sandy beach, clear blue water, and a lovely backdrop of Pine Trees. If you're wanting the nudist beach, 'Little Banana' is the one for you. It's next to Banana Beach, also at stop 26. Skiathos has a lot of protected natural habitat, and the island is filled with pine trees and olive groves. If you want to explore further, a car can be hired cheaply, and is preferable to a moped. Just don't make ths mistake we did and put too much petrol/diesel in. The island doesn't really have enough roads to use more than about a 1/4 of a tank, so unless you're having the car for more than a day, or driving up and down the same bit all day, don't go over the top. We will almost certainly go back to Skiathos, but will stay elsewhere, and will go a little earlier. When we were there (especially the second week), it was the end of the season and a lot of places were closing down.

Wow - Skiathos and Skiathos Town are fantastic, what a wonderful place to go on holiday! On arrival at the Hotel Bourtzi I found the rooms to be fantastic - we were on the ground floor looking onto the pool. The air conditioning worked a treat and the hotel has a great location just off the main street. The downfall... The telephone kept ringing every two minutes from 6am to 11pm and our room was right by reception!!! It was a constant shrill and by the end of the holiday we were being driven insane! I would definitely recommend this hotel, but if they try and put you in rooms 1-3 ask to be moved!

my mom has been to skiathos before, not to mention the rest of greece! but for me it was my first visit. i couldn't have wished for a better place and a more wonderful hotel to stay in. i shall definately be returning! very clean, good breakfast,great location. the family that run this lovely hotel are very friendly and helpful...including demitris who does a wicked bacardi and coke! debbie and judith from england.

Stayed at the Bourtzi Hotel for the first time, very impressed, spotlessly clean, very attentive staff nothing was too much of a bother, has a lovely pool to relax beside. Weather has been glorious, atmosphere with the football tremendous, going back again next year for the third time, you just keep finding more places hidden on this island, would recommend to anyone wanting to just chill out and watch life go by at a very slow pace. Enjoy

Have just booked a further visit in June 04. This will be our third time at this hotel. Agree totally with the review that states it is small but very clean and friendly. Found the staff very helpful and the situation of the hotel ideal for going out on a night time. Nice leasurely walk along the high street visiting the restaurants and surrounding bars! Enjoy people watching? Your will love it! Nice beach holiday, always feel totally relaxed on my return! Role on June! Skiathos here we come!! Just a final word - not much for children here! Certainly a couple's holiday with candlestick dinners but think small families will find it difficult to keep children amused! Send kids to Grandma's and take a week out to chill out - that's my advice!!

We've been four times to this haven, just at the top of the main drag (Papadiamantis), less than 100 yards up a side street. Simple rooms, plain but fresh breakfast, really clean and tidy. Everything moves slowly, but just what you want in Greece surely....nice size pool, well stocked bar, and a fridge/safe in each room. Little supermarket across the lane for most basic items. Take a dictionary !!