Secret Sporades

The hosts were always there when we needed them and very helpful. Manlio was happy to share useful tips for exploring the island. We had an excellent stay at Secret Sporades. The location is wonderful, with the sea right there and so many different views to enjoy. The peace and quiet are hard to describe. It was a great choice for our vacation.

We spent a week at Secret Sporades, and the setting is incredible. In Viole, we especially liked the private patio and outdoor kitchen. The pool and outdoor shower were refreshing, and the hosts keep the grounds in good shape. Manilo was very welcoming and shared lots of useful places to visit. The sunsets and the whole setting are something special. There are some downsides to know about. The narrow route to the lodging was nerve-racking. A small car is best, with the side mirrors folded in, and confirm there's parking before you book. We got used to the drive, but were relieved never to meet another car on the road. The beds were extremely hard, and after a week our hips hurt and our limbs fell asleep. We were exhausted but dreaded getting into bed. Better beds might raise our room rating from 3 to 4, but poor sleep made the week tough. For the €400 per night we paid, we expected more housekeeping. Guests have to take out the garbage, which seems like a basic service for a longer stay. We did get fresh towels on day three. The listing mentions beach access, but we couldn't reach it. Manilo later said we had to go around a locked gate, which we hadn't known. If you try the route, bring sturdy shoes and water, as it's very steep and slippery with loose gravel. Walking through the olive grove is magical. This is one of the most unusual places we've stayed, a gem in many ways. With a few changes, it could be a five-star stay. I hope these honest pros and cons help future renters.

The peaceful atmosphere, natural beauty, and intimate feel made our five nights at Secret Sporades magical. The accommodation was beautiful and authentic, and made us feel like locals living the Skopelos dream. It had that Greek island charm you'd see in a Mamma Mia film, without the tourist crowds. If you want to relax, disconnect, and get away from the ordinary, this is the place. Manlio was incredibly kind and attentive throughout our stay. He shared great local tips and always made sure we felt welcome. We couldn't have picked a better place to experience Skopelos, and can't wait to return to Secret Sporades! 💙🌿

I don't recommend Secret Sporades. We spent eight nights at Vila Dahlia, the three of us, me, my wife, and our 10-year-old daughter, paying €150 per night. In Neo Klima, there are apartments 40% cheaper with parking on the main street, and I wouldn't return here. The website says the villa is 62 m2, but it can't be more than 40. It claims to sleep five, though in reality only two adults and a child can stay. It lists a living room with two sofa beds, but there's no living room, just a single bed at the entrance. Downstairs there's no couch or TV. The kitchen has no oven or stove, despite the listing. There's no children's playground or private beach area. The so-called private parking is tiny and cramped, with only three spaces, and scooters often block access. Any car over 4m long and 1.75m wide won't fit within the limit. On my first day, after parking, I couldn't get out of my car. Most of the positive reviews are written by Italians, and some reviewers haven't even stayed at Secret Sporades. The services included weren't what we expected. Mr. Manlio didn't answer my 3-4 calls when we arrived, and there was no reception. We wandered around the houses for 30 minutes before the host came out. Our room wasn't ready, so we waited another hour while the lady cleaned it and changed the bedding. On the first day, there was no internet or air conditioning. The internet stayed weak. The sockets and switches are old, around 40 years old, and some can't be used. The room hasn't been painted in decades, and downstairs there's no closet or place for clothes. The ground floor bed is very small with a completely uncomfortable mattress. For hot water, you have to flip two fuses on the control panel and wait 20 minutes. Forget, and you'll be washing with cold water. The downstairs bathroom drain kept clogging, and the lower toilet was faulty, with water running continuously and needing 3-4 flushes. The room was cleaned once in nine days. The doors and windows are decades old, and the upper balcony door wouldn't close or open. There's no Secret Sporades sign on the main road, so without Google Maps you can't find the place. Unlike any two-star hotel in Greece, there are no small soaps or shampoo and shower gel sets in the bathroom. Tourists staying in the complex walk past our house all day, so there's constant traffic. The very small, child-sized pool didn't have clean water. When we left, Mr. Manlio didn't wish us a good trip. Instead, he messaged us on WhatsApp telling us not to come back, even though we hadn't bothered him at all.