Captain's House

Room 6 was on the ground floor, with a garden view and a glimpse of the sea from the balcony. We had a twin room for two. It was a great stay for the price, with good cleanliness, hospitality, and location, and the staff were very helpful when we needed assistance. Melina and the cleaning lady were especially lovely. We liked the free WiFi, which reached the room with a strong signal, plus the hairdryer, plenty of sockets, full-length mirror, wardrobe with shelves, mugs, kettle, fridge, and little freezer that could fit two water bottles. Shampoo, body wash, and hand soap were provided. There was only one English TV channel, World News. The windows and doors kept out noise from Captain's Bar and even the storms. The mattresses were comfy and separate in the twin room, and extra pillows and blankets were in the wardrobe. The shower is very small, but it has a handrail to help turn around, and there's a drain on the main bathroom floor in case water leaks out. The shower head itself was the best I've had in Skala, with great pressure. The bathroom lighting was less good: just a small light above the mirror, no window, and it flickered, leaving the room rather dark. The fan also comes on with that light and can be a bit loud. Breakfast is served 8am-10am. It's a good basic continental spread of fresh orange juice, hot drinks, fresh cakes and pastries, toast, fruit, nuts, yoghurt, cereal, ham, cheese, and boiled eggs. The nearby spots were Tara Beach pool, a five-minute walk; Main Street, three minutes around the corner; the beach, five minutes down the road; and Captain's Bar across the road, with cocktails that were the best for the price and quality. A safe costs £10 for one week or £15 for two. Air conditioning is £40 for one week, £70 for two. There are no glasses for cold drinks or tea and coffee supplies.

The hotel has no lift, so it may not suit families with a buggy or anyone with mobility problems. Air conditioning costs extra (€40 a week), as does the safe, which I think was €15. We had a lovely week here. The room had good WiFi, and the beach is under a five-minute walk away. Breakfast was basic but good quality, with croissants, bread, cheese, ham, yoghurt, cereal, and fruit. The sheets were changed almost daily. Captain's Bar is across the road. We were initially worried about noise from our room facing it, but it's a bar rather than a club, and the sound insulation is good. Closing the windows was enough to keep the noise from bothering us. Plenty of places to eat are within walking distance, so it's a great choice if you're after a basic room.

We couldn't fault the stay. The staff were lovely and so accommodating, the breakfast was simple but delicious, and we slept peacefully every night. There were two of us, and we paid a little extra for a trio room to get more space. It was clean and spacious. The supermarket, restaurants, and beach were all about a two-minute walk away. Captain's Bar opposite was a treat, with gorgeous cocktails.

I've been coming here for more than 10 years. The music is lively and the cocktails are great, which makes it a nice stop for a drink before dinner. It didn't seem as busy as it used to be, but I still enjoyed it.