Villa Peparethos

We booked directly with Athena, and it was simple and straightforward, with no hidden fees. Skipping the big booking platforms felt better for everyone involved. Our stay at Villa Peparethos was from 4/5/18 to 17/5/18. There were four of us and a baby, aged from 13 months to 69, and we all loved Skopelos. The villa is spacious, authentic and very comfortable, perched on a hillside above lush olive groves and valleys. Its huge terrace has views stretching for miles, and the peace and quiet is good for the soul. The beach is a five-minute drive away or a 20-minute walk, though the uphill return isn't for the faint hearted. Skopelos Town is a 10-minute drive. We hadn't planned to hire a car, but did, and were glad we did because getting around was much easier. The Local Route Car Rental were great. A taxi to town cost 10 Euros, while the car hire was 20 Euros a day. The villa is great for outdoor living. The barbecue area is well designed and equipped, and there's a fabulous pool, 1.6m deep. Two of our group couldn't stand in it, but we all had fun, especially the baby. Comfortable loungers and pool towels were provided. The bedrooms have efficient, quiet air conditioning, the wifi is super fast, and there's plenty of room for four. A dishwasher and washing machine made everyday life easier. The kitchen was well equipped, including a Nespresso machine (hooray) and a toastie maker. On arrival, we appreciated the welcome pack with local wine, tea, milk, butter and bread. Housekeeping was arranged every three days. We didn't need it that often, so we asked to have it less frequently, which worked better for us. Athena and her family are charming. Athena was always there to help, especially when I needed an emergency eye appointment on Skiathos. She helped arrange it and made sure I saw the right person, all with a smile and the loveliest manner. We made unforgettable memories with our grandbaby at this stunning property in an exquisite setting. Thank you so much, Athena. Travel really is the only thing we buy that makes us richer.

Athina, our host, was incredibly welcoming and always available for questions or anything we needed. Her suggestions for local restaurants and activities helped make our stay unforgettable. We spent three nights at Villa Peparithos and had a great time. The house was beautiful, very clean and had everything we needed. The location was ideal, with a lovely view and only five minutes from town.

The surroundings are lovely, quiet and full of greenery. But the lighting spoils the view of the sky and the natural darkness at night. Light pollution is made worse by the entrance reflector, which points upward and has a blue component in its spectrum. The other lights around the building are spherical and don't direct light toward the road.

We weren't able to make the trip, but the owner responded immediately when we got in touch. Even when we cancelled, she handled everything quickly and politely.