Skiathos Blu

My rating says it all. This hotel deserves five stars in every way. The accommodation is contemporary yet retains the charm of the island, without exception, the staff were all so welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. The location is idyllic set in the hillside overlooking the beach, allowing you time to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the island whilst perfectly located to explore further the local tavernas. Whilst there are many a step to climb, the hotel is very clear in its description, for us, only added to the charm of the hotel. There is a very accommodating driver of the shuttle bus service which takes you to and from the beach and local bus stops opening up the entire island, either by bus or water taxi. Skiathos Town is only a 20 minute ride of the boat taxi and a fabulous way to arrive, the last is at 10.30pm giving plenty of time to enjoy the evening vibe. In summary, there is no limit to what you can do even if the steps are too much for some. The breakfast menu is plentiful and has a wide variety of good quality products every day allowing you the choice of a full breakfast, or a more continental option which ever is your wish on the day. There is also lots of fresh fruit and yoghurt served with the delicious local honey. Two of us in our party are not able to tolerate gluten but the variety of food on offer allows you to dine freely given the choices available. There is a courtesy suite available from 2 till 4 which can be booked for half an hour if you are lucky enough to have a late flight like we do, and want to enjoy the pool and hotel surroundings fully one last time. I can honestly say it is with a heavy heart we are leaving but only for now, as we will definitely be back for sure. Thank you to all at the hotel for making our stay so special. Each and every one of you are special, warm and welcoming people. Until we meet again … thank you.

My partner and I have loved this hotel and holiday - would 100% recommend. The steps are not as bad as people make out!!! There is a shuttle bus from top to bottom throughout the day ran by the hotel. We were collected promptly from the airport by our coach transfer and dropped at the top of the hotel (reception). There we were greeted by the lovely staff who gave us an informative talk, along with a welcome drink, about the hotel and its amenities and surrounding activities. We were then taken to our bungalow (number 96) and our bags were carried to our room. The bungalow room is nice and spacious. The bed is super comfortable. There are ample charging spaces and enough storage for a week. Our balcony had a lovely view of the sea and town below. The shower is powerful and hot. The cleaning staff come daily to empty bins and refresh towels, then once every three days to change the bedding. The hotel is a perfect setting with the beach a stones throw away. There is a shop at the bottom of the steps which have everything you should need. They have a fab restaurants ‘Johnnys’ on the lower road, which I would recommend booking in advance. The bus stop or water taxi are very close and depart to Skiathos Town every half an hour. The taverna on the beach is stylish and provides lovely drinks & food. Skiathos Blu give you 10% off for there. We rented a boat from the beach to explore the islands, took a TUI organised Mamma Mia trip, and visited the Monastery. My only negative is the breakfast. I thought there may be a better variety of options. The juices advertised were more like watered down squash. All in all a fantastic holiday in a fantastic hotel, would recommended.

We loved this hotel. The view is stunning, the room we had at the back of the hotel was beautiful. The staff are really excellent - friendly, helpful and jolly. We will definitely return. The beach is lovely though we wouldn't go back to Barracoa the beach restaurant as it really isn't good and is very overpriced. We loved the hotel though.

We arrived at Skiathos Blu late in the evening, too late for the restaurant, but the lovely people at the hotel gave us a friendly welcome and had arranged a food package for each of the arrvals. Our room was although fairly compact, well decorated and in good conditions, with a very comfortable bed and a small balcony with views over the surrounding hills (part way through the holiday we asked if a room with a bath was available, and we were immediately offered a lovely large room with sea view balcony at no additional cost). We had chosen the B&B package, and breakfast buffet presents fair choice for the size of hotel, and the option of dining in the dining room or on the outdoor terrace with lovely views across the sea and surrounding hills and islands. We only had dinner once at the hotel (as we tend to spend the days out and eat out and grab some snacks for the evening) our meal at the hotel was on “Greek Night” – a nicely presented selection of Greek food – the Greek Night includes traditional music and dancing after the meal. Skiathos Blu has a nice pool area in front of the main building, sheltered from the breeze but catching the sun, a pool bar providing reasonably priced drinks and food throughout the day, as enough sunbeds that we didn’t at any point see them all occupied. One of the key points to consider about the hotel is it’s location, on top of a hill in Kanapitsa. From the bottom of the hill, there is an excellent regular and cheap bus service to Skiathos town and Koukounaries – the challenge is getting to the bottom of the hill to get the bus and getting back up the hill to the hotel. The options are a steep road walk, or to climb the approximately 300 steps from sea level. The hotel does provide a free half hourly shuttle service for the first half of the morning and for later afternoon and evening, but if you want to go up or down in between, it’s steps or hill! Alternatively, cars can be hired cheaply on Skiathos, or you can get a taxi (taxi to or from Skiathos town is around 18 Euro’s). The hotel is handy for a number of local beaches, most of which have a beach bar or taverna, and there are a number of good local restaurants – as Skiathos town is a short trip away, plenty of options to take the evening meal in town as well, or enjoy the hotel restaurant. Overall, the hotel is very good value, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. Having fallen in love with Skiathos, I am sure we shall return , and would happily stay at Skiathos Blu again.

Our second visit of the year, this time being joined by two more family members. They needed a twin bedded room and received an up-grade to the most beautiful suite. Absolutely delighted and again proving that this gorgeous hotel really does manage to go above and beyond with it’s customer service. Thank you again Skiathos Blu for organising great rooms - see you again next year. Delighted customers once again! Lisa and Richard Stevens.

Our holiday was fabulous, because of the people we met in the hotel and old town Skiathos, the locals were lovely. The hotel staff were very pleasant and hard-working. We stayed in the hotel and not the bungalows my choice for a few reasons, The Nicer rooms & the bonus was not having to do all the steps before breakfast plus I wanted the afternoon sun on my balcony, which is not possible in one of the bungalows as they are in total shade. 350 steps down to Jonny's restaurant is a must if you stay here, you have to book and they don't answer the phone so pop down and book for a couple of nights you will not be disappointed. Next door to Jonnys is Baracoda Beach and bar, they have great DJ beach parties, which were fantastic! Use the free hotel shuttle to take you to the bus stop only 2 euros into Skiathos town. It is a beautiful old town with some fabulous eating places. This hotel has an ok breakfast, and a beautiful view if you eat on the balcony. I'm sorry to say it is not a 4-star so do not expect this, it is in my opinion a 3. It has a shower curtain, not glass, and nowhere sensible to hang towels, small and cramped bathroom. The room was not cosy in any way, no art on the walls. No full length mirror, coffee is not replaced daily. Your room is not made up/serviced on a Sunday, but you still pay the room tax at 7 euros a night. At the bar they will not let you pay with your card per transaction/round so insist you open a tab (to be paid at the end of your stay), I could have paid with cash if I had some but I didn't take any as I always change it on arrival. The hotel does NOT change money at reception (the first time I have ever encountered this at a hotel). It had evening entertainment on Wednesdays & Sundays only (arrival days I think) No headboard, so no comfort if you wanted to sit and read on the bed and only one pillow so no help there. Not enough coathangers and when I ask for more I was told I could only have 10 between us. Skiathos, the old town is lovely with lovely people, Typically greece when things break they are not fixed and rubbish bins overflow everywhere and the usual half-built buildings everywhere.... Greece's downfall.