Skiathos Palace Hotel

This hotel is fit for those who aren’t picky about design features and prefer a quiet, natural environment. Many couples and some families enjoy the lovely surroundings and friendly staff. The grounds are beautiful with mature trees, vine-covered trellises, and buildings thick with vegetation providing a full, lush environment. Interior spaces -- some refurbished and others showing their age -- do not all manage the same tone. The lobby is a large, open space with a fresher look, featuring a few long, white couches and brightly colored ottomans against a slatted wall with colored accent lighting. A contemporary sculpture occupies a corner, but otherwise the space feels empty. Indoor seating at the main restaurant is in a bland room with a cafeteria feel, with yellow table linens and chair covers that do little to dress up the space. Instead, the most impressive features here are the widespread views of Koukounaries Bay from the pool, White View Grill Restaurant, and some rooms. 

Skiathos Palace Hotel is on the southwestern coast of Skiathos, one of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The hotel is on a hilltop, with stunning views of the bay, marina, and two nearby public beaches. It is surrounded by pine forests, with little to do nearby. The neighboring villages of Koukounaries and Troulos -- a three- and five-minute drive, respectively -- offer a few eateries and shops, but not much else. The town of Skiathos, a 30-minute drive from the hotel, has many restaurants and an active nightlife. A shuttle bus from the hotel will take guests to Skiathos or either of the beaches neighboring the hotel -- otherwise, walking to the beach requires lots of steep steps. A local bus stops on the road at the bottom of the hotel driveway. Skiathos Airport is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, and the port is a 25-minute drive away. 

The design varies quite a bit between room categories, as some were refurbished in 2015. Classic Rooms are simple and bland, with a relaxing white-and-gray color palette, but generic carpeting, empty walls, and basic furnishings. Some rooms have tile or wood floors, darker wood furniture, and a splash of color from the bed runner, pillows, or brightly colored sleeper sofa. Even so, the overall design lacks sophistication. Balconies and terraces have tired paint jobs and old wood furniture, while some higher-end rooms have large, tiled balconies with sunbeds. Modern Rooms have a more sleek design, but decor is still sparse. 

All rooms have a minibar and television -- either flat-screen or old tube-style. Some rooms also include DVD players, free safes, and robes. Bathrooms range from tired and worn to fresher styles. Issues in older bathrooms include dirty grout and a sloppy repair job on cracks. Higher-tier rooms have nicer bathrooms, but there is evidence of minor wear. All have shower/tub combos and free toiletries that include soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body lotion. Some rooms add sewing and shaving kits and higher-end toiletries.

Access to two beautiful beaches is a major draw for the hotel, plus there’s a lovely and large pool. Across the road, there’s a small beach with sunbeds under tiki umbrellas for rent, and the surrounding trees and natural environment give it a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere. Stairs and a hilly path are difficult for those with mobility issues, but the hotel runs a shuttle most of the way down. A beach bar offers drinks and light snacks on a wooden deck with a thatched roof. Massages are available in a rustic gazebo next to the bar. There is also a shuttle available to Koukounaries Beach, a bigger, more popular beach area across the marina. The large pool is set on a lovely, wooden deck with white sunbeds and umbrellas, and it offers gorgeous views of the bay. The adjacent bar serves drinks and snacks all day and into the evening. 

The main restaurant serves a free American breakfast buffet and a dinner buffet for half-board guests. There are also a la carte options for those not on a meal plan. An a la carte grill restaurant offers an alternative, and guests generally find the food at both eateries to be good. Entertainment, however, is limited to occasional live piano playing at the bar. The hotel lacks a fitness room, though there is a tired tennis court available. A playground is set on a patio between hotel buildings, with swings, slides, and toys for younger children. Wi-Fi is offered for free at the bar, but otherwise it requires a fee.