Hotel Ariadne

The staff were so warm and helpful, and breakfast was magnificent. I loved the peaceful feel, the view, and how clean everything was. The refreshing pool and nearby beach were great, and the bus stop is only 50m away. I miss Ariadne already and can’t wait to return!

We’d happily stay at Ariadne again. It’s a two-star hotel, and that’s the right standard to judge it by. Christina and her team, especially Dina, were wonderful whenever we needed help, including carrying our cases. We had a good stay, despite some negative reviews that didn’t reflect our experience. Breakfast comes on a tray rather than as a self-serve buffet, presumably to keep costs down. We were served fried eggs, cheese, meat, fruit, orange juice and coffee, all with a smile. You can ask for something different, and breakfast is on the terrace when it isn’t too hot. Our room was basic but spotless and comfortable. The bed was the most comfortable we’ve had in years of budget trips to Greece. There was free air conditioning, slow WiFi, plenty of storage and a dressing table. The TV defeated us, but we were out most evenings anyway. The room had been refurbished sympathetically, and was tidied daily, with the bins emptied and towels and sheets changed several times. There was plenty of hot water, though the shower rose was handheld, as is common in Greece. There’s no room safe, which should be addressed since some insurance won’t cover belongings that aren’t stored securely. Luckily, our cases lock. The rooms all have balconies with stunning views over the bay. The hotel is on the main road near the top of the hill in Stafylos, but we didn’t hear road noise. Getting in means climbing 38 steep steps from the road, with more steps inside. We’re in our mid-sixties and managed, though it’s worth knowing about. There’s a new pool and relaxation area, which we didn’t use. The beach is close by and is probably one of the island’s best, with good snorkelling, a beach bar and sunbeds for 12 euros a day. Stafylos has two restaurants. We loved family-run Tepsis for the superb food and lovely people. The restaurant nearest the beach was just okay. There’s no supermarket in the village, and the nearest one is several miles along the main road, a very long walk. We hired a car through Christina for five days. There’s also a bus stop near the hotel, but how often buses run depends on the season. Skopelos is a wonderful island, and we’ll absolutely return. We’ll stay at Ariadne again too. If you want four- or five-star luxury, you’ll need to pay for it.

I’m only on day two of my week here, but the ladies helped me with my suitcases when I arrived. As a solo traveller with two cases, I’d been worried about managing the steps. They are steep, though I’ve found them manageable. The room was clean, with a lovely space to relax in. Breakfast was good, with bread, fruit, meat, orange juice and coffee. The pool is clean and a nice place to unwind.

The view from the room was amazing, and the owners were friendly and kind. The rooms are small, but newly done with cute details. The pool area looked clean and tidy, though we didn’t try it. Breakfast cost 9 euros. It wasn’t anything special and the choices were limited, so we only had it on the first day. I would’ve liked a small bottle of water and glasses in the room. They gave us glasses when we asked, though. I do recommend the place!