Villa Maraki

We loved it. The apartments are basic but superb, cleaned every day, and fresh towels came every other day. The host was great, though I’m sorry I can’t remember her name, maybe Eve. The beach is a two minute walk, the supermarket is two minutes away, and the bus stop is three. There’s a pool and bar if that’s what you’re after, plus several great restaurants right nearby. 🇬🇷❤️🇬🇷

The pool was lovely and clean, but the area around it felt flat. There was no music, the bar had no snacks like crisps or ice cream, and the staff mostly sat smoking and helping themselves to drinks, which came across as unprofessional. We were also charged £10 a day for air-conditioning, a surprise because it hadn’t been made clear beforehand. In July it felt essential, and the extra cost left a bad taste. We’d read promising reviews before booking, but our week in Skiathos was a letdown. The staff and owners were rude and unhelpful from the start. The self-catering apartment was old, poorly maintained, and dirty. The beds were uncomfortable, although the lovely cleaning lady did her best and cleaned every day. With just one plug in the kitchen and hardly any utensils or glasses, most of them dirty, it wasn't usable for self-catering. We ate out every night. The stay was disappointing and uncomfortable. We won't return, and I wouldn't recommend it.

There’s no breakfast, even for an extra charge, but the apartments are spacious, renovated, and clean, with kitchen utensils, traditional furniture, comfortable beds and pillows, and toiletries. There’s lots of greenery around. The small pool is clean, though it seems more decorative, and the pool bar serves drinks only. Parking across the road is unorganised. The hotel is small even for a 3* place. It’s about 10 minutes by car from the port, with plenty of tavernas and supermarkets nearby, a sandy beach with a beach bar across the road, and a bus stop. For me, it’s a good base for sleeping at night and exploring the island by day. One odd thing was that staff sometimes used the pool bar to smoke, chat with each other, or even have a big family get-together. It felt like village mentality, and guests were left feeling a little excluded.

The room was very clean and tidy, and Ellie and her partner gave fabulous service. They couldn't do enough for us. The food was fantastic, with portions that were great value and unbelievably large. The shower area was too small, though, and the shower curtain clung to you!