Elivi Skiathos

We took a trip to Koukounaries to walk the lake etc. After our walk we decided to stop off for a beer... Elivi beach bar seemed fine so we sat, on some very hard metal chairs, and ordered our beer. Bear in mind that Amstel beer in a 500cl bottle is no more than 4 euros wherever you go on Skiathos - well here they only had cans which were 330cls and these 2 cans cost 13 euros. There was no bill of fare on the tables so we were unaware of how expensive this place was. Perhaps we should have asked but really hadn’t expected to be taken to the cleaners in this way. I took the matter up with the staff who called upon a suited guy called Vasilias - who was an arrogant twerp... said he could do nothing about my complaint, other than to offer us a free drink. Really! In the end I gave up and paid my bill, because I had ordered the drinks. But beware. Ask for a price before buying. I’m in my 70s and very polite but with hindsight I wish I’d insisted on calling the police. Because in my mind this was daylight robbery. We will never go back again and thank goodness for the majority of honest bar owners on Skiathos, of which there are many.

We have recently spent 7 days at the Elivi in a deluxe double room in the main part of the hotel. The hotel opened only last year, and our room (especially the bed, and the fantastic shower in the bathroom) was very comfortable and clean, the public areas are very modern and airy. It was very quiet when we stayed as it had been open only a couple of weeks this season, so there was bit of a lack of atmosphere. We didn't book a room with swim up pool, as we prefer to swim in the sea, and we did not see any guest using the pools under our block at all during our stay, maybe because they were very shaded and cool in mid May, and had lots of leaves etc from the trees on the surface. The private beach in front of Grace area was fantastic, with the best sunbeds we've ever used and the sea was crystal clear. There is a beach bar service (which sometimes had more staff than guests using the beach!). We did think the prices of the food and drink generally at the hotel was quite high. We visited the large main beach but there was quite a bit of noisy work being carried by the hotel in the area where it had its sunbeds. We also went to Big Banana and Small Banana beaches but neither was ready for visitors yet this year, with the sunbeds stacked up and rubbish on the sand. There was also a bit of noise from some work still being done near the Grace bar. Hopefully this will be sorted once the season is fully under way. Staff were very good in all areas: reception, bar and at breakfast. Food at breakfast was good and plentiful: only complaint was that the hot food was luke warm at best. Overall, the setting for the hotel is fantastic, with views of the beaches all round. The area has plenty of bars and restaurants to eat out which were very good value for money. We woukd recommend Nectar and Ambrosia in Troulos, and Mouria in Skiathos Town. The bus into the capitol was only 2€ each way. We might consider returning to Koukounaries. Definitely to the area, and maybe to this hotel once the teething problems are sorted.

Last year was very stressful due to health issues. We have been to Skiathos before and stayed in the town. We visited Koukounaries Beach. It was lovely. My husband booked Elivi. I can not begin to explain how wonderful it was. From start to finish I have never been more relaxed. For the first time ever I did not want to come home. The hotel is amazing, the staff are welcoming, Everyone was professional. Nothing was too much trouble. The sun beds on the beach are the best ever. There was no getting up at 4am for a sun bed . Breakfast had a wide variety for everyone, again the restaurant staff amazing. To visit the town was two euro per person. A water taxi (highly recommend) was 5 euro one way. The local restaurant think it was Called ellmamra they were fantastic we arrived about 11 pm the kitchen was closed but they were happy to cook something for us. I feel like we have been in Heaven on Earth x Thank you Skiathos we will be back ❤️X