Periyali Studios

The caretakers were very helpful and friendly and the room was cleaned and the sheets/towels changed several times in our 2 weeks, but I would agree with another reviewer that these apartments are very basic. I booked this as a last minute cheap deal and had I paid the full brochure price I would have raised merry hell.
The kitchen area just had a fridge, kettle, a 2 ring electric mini cooker and 2 plate’s cups fork etc. To our surprise there was a sign saying only bottled water should be used in the kettle. A friend who stayed in Troulos (3 miles away) didn't have this. Combine carrying 5 litre bottles and any other shopping a 6/7 minute slow (flat walk) plus the very steep slope leading up to the apartments and it wasn't something you wanted to do every day. We just made a point of always taking a litre back with us after going down the beach. The rep may tell you the supermarket will deliver but the neighbours said despite buying a lot of water and plenty of ciggies it was very vague when exactly that would happen and where would they leave it if they were out?
Be wary of the brochure saying all rooms have a sea and/or lake view - it's very restricted for some of those downstairs. These apartments would have been lovely had they been just as high up for the views (amazing from the upper floors) but actually on the main road.
All that said Koukounaries beach and Banana beach especially are lovely and the island itself is beautiful. Definitely going back next year now I'm more familiar with some of the other places we could stay. Recommended eating: Nectar & Ambrosia (bus stop 19), Vassilias (or something like that - bus stop 18), Asprolithos (top end of the town), The Windmill (high up on the hill in the town. very steep steps but the view is out of this world), Plakes (on extreme left of the town map which is freely available). Been told to avoid the restaurants down by the harbour who touts you as you walk by - stories of very poor food, upset stomachs and recycling leftovers. If you have 2 weeks and like to do boat trips, do them the first week. Some go to beaches the other side of the island only accessible by boat and they will cancel them if windy that side even though fine where you are - we learned the hard way! Bus service is excellent and so easy to get around.

Periyali Studios is a short walk from Koukounaries beach, where the golden sand sparkles, it is also next to the riding school, it has no pool but you can use the pool at the Golden Beach which is a short walk and the waiters are very friendly.
The steep hill up to the studios is quite daunting after a night out, and the supermarket is quite a walk away, but they do deliver your shopping for you if you request. The apartments themselves are very clean and basic, and the owners are very friendly, all apartments have a view of the lake, which is outlined by the pine trees that separate the beach from the lake and it is a lovely view, it is out of the hustle and bustle of Skiathos town but is 30 minutes bus ride away, bus fare is very cheap, a taxi cost ten euros and they drive very fast, so hold on to your seat.
All the beaches on Skiathos are lovely, big banana has a few nudist's but little banana is all nudist, so be warned!
Not much night life in Koukounaries, but it is fantastic in Skiathos town, lots of bars, restaurants, and clubs. Don't remember any trouble with flys or wasps, but did have one flying cockroach get into apartment on the first night as we left the balcony doors open, they buzz like wasps and are huge and black. Didn’t see another one all holiday.
I would recommend Periyali Studios for anyone who wants a cheap no frills apartment beach holiday, and who don't mind climbing the steep hill to the apartments every time you return from a day/night out. Koukounaries beach in one of the longest and it’s great to swim in the sea there.
I loved it, would go again.

Have just returned from the Hotel Petros in Tsilivi, Zante. We stayed for ten day and I have got to say it is a wonderful resort with loads of bars, restaurants, especially Fiorentini the best food by far, and loads to keep you busy.
The Hotel Petros is very good although the breakfast leaves a lot to be desired, I have never tasted cereal so awful in my life! It is very basic to say the least and we only went down for it three times not worth getting out of bed for!
The rooms are basic but very clean, you get TV, but with no English channels is not worth having and the shower was usually cold, but you did get used to it after a while!
The pool is lovely and there are plenty of sun beds. All in all a great holiday can’t wait to go back.

Just come back from Periyali studios, it was very nice, the walk up to the apartment really is steep though!
If you are staying here please do not sleep with your shutters open as one night there was a rat in our room which we think got in via the balcony even though we were on the 2nd floor. Please don’t let this put you off its just one of those things it could happen any where, the apartments were very clean and comfortable and the people that own it are lovely.
We found the food in Koukounaries was not that great but if you get the bus (which is very good) into town the food there was excellent and the town is lovely.
The beach is about a 5 min walk and is really nice, we could not see what all the fuss was with banana beach except its a nudist beach!
Would definitely go back!

We have just come back from Skiathos staying in the Periyali studios we had the best time there and are 100% going to return, the couple that run the studios are very friendly and make you feel very welcome there, the hill is extremely steep and keeps you fit do not attempt after a few drinks!
you are only a few mins walk from the main beach and are about 15mins walk from the banana beach which is a nudist beach yet again very steep hills and not very good in 90degrees heat! There are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from and are all very welcoming and generous, our tour rep was very good as we lost our phone on the coach and she made sure we had we it back, she also visited very often.
All the buses run to Skiathos town and are very regular every 15mins, there are plenty of water sports to do on the main beach and there is a lovely beach hut there which sells everything. There is a beautiful view from the balcony and is very relaxing, the lady cleans your rooms every other day and is very good at doing it.
I highly recommend these studios as they basic but cozy and is situated just in the right place with a mini market just 5mins up the road, if you prefer a lazy day at a swimming pool you can always use the golden beaches which is right next door and many other tavernas are more than happy for you to use there pool as long as you purchase something on site. All in all a great holiday will definitely be returning to sunny Greece!

Firstly I must say- there is a very steep climb to the apartments from the road- don’t try this- up or down in high heels!
The apartments are very clean, having twin beds and minimal essential kitchen facilities and equipment. The water was always hot- for showering purposes. We loved sitting on the balcony admiring the sea and lake view. The location’s excellent- to wake up to the sound of the waves lapping the beach is unforgettable. The beach, located only 5 minutes walk away; is sand, with a useful boardwalk and there are a few snack shacks/ bars for drinks etc. Sunbeds (x2) and a parasol may be hired for 8 euros per day. Watersports, i.e. windsurfing, banana boat riding, and sailing can all be enjoyed, plus there’s a large harbour and moorings.
The buses run from Skiathos Town to this beach and back again-approx. every 15 minutes. There’s only the one main road through the island. One can travel anywhere along that road at any time from approx. 07.00 hours to approx. 23.00 hours every day. On that road many Tavernas cook up local specialities and European cuisine- many a delightful hour was spent in them; drinking, dining, relaxing; soaking up the fabulous atmosphere of a typical yet unique Mediterranean island.

I have just returned from a week in Skiathos at the Periyali Studios. Although I have a had a good holiday the record needs to be set straight for future holidaymakers. The Periyali Studios are very basic indeed. From the outside, the accommodation is very attractive with views of the hills, lake and sea (we had a view of all three). Although the rooms are clean (cleaned twice a week), they do require modernisation -the kitchen and bathrooms especially - I would say the accommodation honestly merits 1 stars overall. Don’t expect much in the way of hot water before 9am (which is apparently when the generator is switched on to heat the water!). The owners are very friendly and on hand most of the time if there are problems. I would advise travellers to take their own towels (I expect more than a hand towel to dry myself with!) and if you can, take an electric kettle otherwise you will be boiling water on the small, ancient electric 2 ring stove provided.
In my opinion Koukounaries Beach does not live up to it’s title of the 7th best beach in the world - I would not even say it was the 7th best beach on the whole island (Mandraki and Vromolimnos are much better). Perhaps because of storms the day before or perhaps because it was coming to the end of the holiday season and the beach wasn’t being cleaned I don’t know but I really don’t expect a beach with this claim to fame to have piles of cigarette butts all over the place!! It is however certainly worth a look and if you do visit, walk down to the end of the beach by the harbour - it seemed much cleaner and quieter.
There is a fantastic bus service from Koukounaries to the town, running every 20 minutes or so at a cost of €1.40 per person each way - it can be very busy but Koukounaries is the first stop on the way up so you are bound to get a seat. It’s quite good fun seeing the bus conductor squeezing more and more people onto the bus and certainly makes for an interesting journey. A taxi will cost around €10.50 from Skiathos town to the Periyali Studios.
Skiathos town itself is really lovely and you will probably spend most of your time there although I think it’s expensive for Greece (a cup of coffee will set you back around €3.50 which I think it expensive). It really is worth exploring the back streets of the old town. If you come across the Plakas Cafe up in the heights of the old town (overlooking a rocky outcrop over Plakas Bay) do go in. The food is simple, excellent, really good value and the owners are genuinely pleased to have customers. There are also some funky bars down by the old harbour (The Glam Bar to name but one) that are a great place to spend an evening drinking cocktails while sitting on bean bags and cushions or in a Bedouin tent! With so many restaurants and bars to choose from you will be spoilt for choice although my advice is that the best restaurants are off the beaten track and away from the main harbour area.
We also visited the open air cinema in the main street (films are shown in English with Greek subtitles). You can drink and smoke to your hearts content and this proved a really nice evening’s entertainment.
Unfortunately for us on our return journey home we (along with 750 other people - yes three plane loads!) were delayed overnight at Skiathos which proved to be a complete shambles as you can imagine and although the Argo reps eventually sorted out overnight accommodation for us, the lack of information was frustrating to say the least and they really could have been more sympathetic and perhaps realistic to the problems faced by their guests.
Overall Skiathos is a nice place to for a week in the sun but don’t expect too much!

My partner and I have just arrived back from a week’s holiday staying at the Periyali Studios. It was perfectly adequate accommodation for Greece! Basic but very clean. Let’s face it, if you want 4 star pay for 4 star!
Room’s were of a good size, the bathroom was clean and the shower was better than most Greek shower systems! The balcony was roomy and had fabulous views over the sea and lake. The only thing I will say is that if you have walking problems you might find the 100 metre up hill walk to the apartments a bit much! I am not fit at all but I made it though!
You will have a great holiday here, very close to the beautiful beach and a handful of tavernas and the bus into town is very easy. All in all, a great beach holiday, I couldn’t recommend it more. Have a great time!

Periyali studios are very basic, but perfectly adequate, especially considering the very low cost of the holiday. The rooms are spotless and sheets changed every two days.
The hot water system and shower require a sense of humour and not a little initiative. A long hot shower simply wasn’t an option in our room, but everything else was fine. The housekeeper is very conscientious and does a fine job.
The apartments are at the top of a steep hill about 100 metres long.
Lots of bars, restaurants, a supermarket and four excellent beaches (one nudist) all within a few minutes walk. Very good inexpensive bus service to Skiathos Town and other beach resorts.
Argo’s travel arrangements all went very smoothly and the rep was helpful.
Indifferent weather with three day's rain in the week, which is disappointing for late May.