Apollo Apartments Reviews

The Apollo Apartments on the whole are very good. Unfortunately at the end of the season the 3 times a week towel/linen change, as quoted in the Thomson brochure, doesn't happen - I can't comment whether this happens earlier in the year or not.

Achladies itself is quite hilly so be prepared for a steep climb to these apartments and the beach. The supermarkets at the bottom of the hill do deliver for free but as we went in the last week of the season (6th - 13th October 2004) the shelves were almost empty and across the island a big majority of shops, tavernas, restaurants and clubs were closed. The water taxi had stopped due to the Esperides hotel closing and the watersports had finished for the season too. This was a little disappointing as it did not leave much choice. The bus service helps though, as you can go the full length of the island for 2 euros and 40 cents and all the other resorts had somewhere different to try.
A lively pub with Sky Sports and live football/rugby is Cristakis. This is at Troulos junction - get off the bus at stop 18 at take the right hand for in the road (the bus doesn't go down that way) and follow the road for about half a mile - you can't miss it!

The taverna on the main road next to the bus stop is lovely too - I can recommend Lamb Kleftiko.
Another recommendation for eating out is the steaks cooked by Captain at the Apollo - they are awesome - the size of a dinner plate and bbq'd in herbs! Compliments to the chef. Absolutely gorgeous - we had two in a week!
Another good place to try is Pizza express about a 100 yards after the bus terminal in Skiathos Town on the right hand side. The pizzas and pasta are great and as some restaurants add a euro each for bread and butter this was not like that and gave you tiny garlic dough balls with paprika butter and grapes to finish off with. (At the Apollo make sure you pay when ordering as you can be charged for bread and butter even if you don't ask for it.)

Overall.
A good holiday.
The island is very nice and we had a relaxing week, sometimes bordering on boring though.

Just returned from a great, relaxing week at the Apollo Apartments which deserve more than a 2star plus which Thomson have given to them. The Apartments are clean, ours was room 5 which had a terrace then a step down then the pool and an amazing view over Achladies Beach. Even though the bar was right next to the pool, when you shut your door there is hardly any noise to be heard from the bar at all.

This is a small family run property and Captain and Dunia who own and run it are the nicest people you would wish to meet with a great sense of humour. I usually like to eat out at different places on holiday but the food was so good at the Apartments (home cooked too) that we only ate out once elsewhere. Captains steaks have to be the best ever!!! His measures at the bar are great (bout 4 times ours in the UK) and I would find that most evenings there would be half of the people eating and drinking at the apartments as the company, setting and food were all excellent.

Achladies itself just has a beach and a couple of supermarkets and restaurants but you are in a great location not far from Skiathos Town on the bus and Koukounaries in the other direction. Bus fares are really cheap and you can go to a different beach every day. There is also a water taxi from Achladies to Skiathos town at 1.50 Euros. The season starts to wind down the end of September and I would imagine lots of places to be closed from October onwards.

We hired a jeep and visited lots of beaches where we were the only ones there, this is a must even if it is for just one day and at 45 euros for the day it beats sitting on a coach for hours on an organised trip.

The Island hopping tour can be booked at the harbour for about 15 euros per person and is much cheaper than booking it through the reps (think they wanted 27 euros per person). I am usually really sick on boat trips but the boat was quite big and I didnt feel sick at all.

I also am not the greatest flyer and was a little nervous as I had been told that the runway is so short and it would be really nerve wracking landing but it wasnt as bad as I had been lead to believe so dont let that put you off.

And all the cat lovers out there will be in heaven as there are cats everywhere in Skiathos town.

We loved the Villa Apollo!, from the minute we arrived we were made most welcome, Captain and Dounia were brilliant hosts. The food was super especially the swordfish Dounia perpared especially for us. Our room was great with everything we needed.

A marvellous holiday!!

We have been visiting Skiathos and staying at Villa Apollo for several years now and have always enjoyed a high quality of service and genuine hospitality.

This year, 6 members of the family came with us - the youngest being our 4 year old granddaughter. As a mixed age group party, every one of us has found Skiathos and the Villa Apollo to be a home from home and we cannot wait to return next year.

Dounia's food is delicious - there's plenty of choice and the portions will satisfy the hungriest of appetites! The drinks do not disappoint either - again a great variety and exceptionally generous measures!

The accommodation is comfortable and the rooms are impeccably clean, with fantastic sea views. You can spend hours just watching the ferries, yachts and planes come and go whilst lounging round the pool - we certainly have!

We have made some really good friends who must feel the same way as we do as they keep returning to Skiathos and the Villa Apollo year after year.

Well done Dounia, Captain, Alexandra and staff. See you next year!

A Review on Villa Apollo - Achladies - Skiathos.

My husband and I have just returned from a further visit to Villa Apollo, whose owners, Dounia (with daughter Alexandra) and Captain, once again, made us very welcome.

My first visit to Villa Apollo was in 1996 and I have since been back for a total of 14 visits, my husband 12 visits. On two occasions I took my daughter and two granddaughters with me. Believe me we cannot wait to visit again. The holiday was super.

You must be prepared, when visiting the Greek islands, for the dubious plumbing and dodgy electricity failing without warning. The facilities might be considered somewhat ";Rustic"; so don't expect Hilton five star when you are only paying Travel Lodge prices.

Each year at Villa Apollo extra items are added to the apartments and if anything is damaged or broken it is only the grumbling tourists who have used it!

How many self-catering apartments in Greece provide every day servicing, linen and towels (including tea-cloths) changed twice a week and also include a good selection of china, cutlery and cooking utensils, not to mention the Microwave, Kettle, Toaster, Iron (and ironing board) and a hairdryer. To me it is ";Home from Home";, with the extra of the ";Sunshine";. The view from the apartments is a plus, I swim a lot and the swimming pool is a delight.

The island of Skiathos has many beautiful beaches, some within easy reach; some can only be reached by boat. There are lots of nice walks, especially one we call the ";Forest Walk"; and around Kalamaki Peninsula, which my husband calls ";The Lump";.

There are lots of nice Tavernas in the town. Personally our favourites are Asprolithos, Misogia and Syrainos where we always get a friendly welcome and good food at reasonable prices.

We have found the people of Skiathos very friendly and easy to get on with, especially if you make the effort to learn a few words of Greek, like please (parakalo) and thank-you (efharisto). We have made quite a few friends on the island and enjoy returning year after year, sometimes twice a year. We do not find that it is any more expensive than other Greek islands, in fact, I believe that some things are cheaper.

When you visit, make yourself at home, on Skiathos, but especially at Villa Apollo.

Small and Friendly - Thats what the brochure says. Unfortunately this was not the case when we recently stayed there. The problem stemmed from the fact that they were only after one thing - your money. We noticed on a number of occasions that they will change the bar prices even though it clearly states them on their menu. You may also be asked to ";pay later"; when you order food or drinks from the pool bar - this is a big mistake! We had one evening meal there which turned out to be the most expensive meal during our 2 week stay! ADVICE - Pay directy when ordering, and if Dounia is not there to accept the money make a note of everything you ordered! Otherwise they may add extras onto your bill..

The attitude was ";we do not need the money"; - we heard her say this when she was moaning to one of the other guests. This insinuates that they do not really care if you are there or not..its a shame because it made you feel unwelcome.

The older guests may find this less of a problem, they were always ";friendly and chatty"; to them, however not so for the younger guests staying there.

The Hotel was basic, but views FANTASTIC from the top Balcolny across the sea. Bring a dishcloth as you will need it to wash all the cutlery and crockery up in your apartment. The maid only ";rinses"; them so they are very dirty.

As for Achladies - FANTASTIC, the beach is lovely, the sea warm and inviting. TIP do buy yourself a Parasol (8 Euros) and you can lay for free on the furthest (and quietest) end of the beach. Otherwise you have to pay 8 euros per day for a parasol and 2 beds.

Best place to eat - COSMOGATE retaurant and ROSE GARDEN (very nice). In Skiathos town eat at Kontiki restaurant.

We are just in the process of booking our 8th trip in 4 years to stay at the Apollo in Skiathos and cannot wait to be back there. Having read the reviews I thought I would add one of my own.

The accommodation is clean and basic, but then who stays in their room for the whole holiday! The views and the food at the apartments are fantastic.

The main attraction for us is the warm welcome that we are always given by the owners Captain and Dounia. Travelling alone with a young child can be a worry but with this particular destination I have always felt secure in the knowledge that the owners will look after us if we need any assistance (and we have)

Having fallen quite ill while staying there a couple of years ago (no it wasnt the food or sun)I experienced first hand Dounia and Captains generosity they could not do enough for us.

Achladies is a lovely relaxed resort,the beach is narrow but clean and the sea is usually clear, the locals even remember your names after a couple of visits.

If the weather is good then kids are perfectly content, however I suspect in poor weather the Island has less to offer than might satisfy them so would recommend if visiting with children that you wait till June onwards. The water taxi from Achladies beach to Skiathos town is a favourite trip as is a days snorkelling.

The monastories are worth a visit, for the calm atmosphere and stunning views.

Skiathos isnt the cheapest of places to visit, the main town has some wonderful shops but don't expect fantastic bargains.

All in all for a laid back friendly holiday its well worth the visit.

We both had a brilliant time in Skiathos. There is some beatuiful beaches (watch out for banana beach although its gorgeous it inhabits killer overgrown wasps). The food was excellent reasonably priced for the standard you get. Watch out for the hungry mossies my partner got ate alive.The airport is an experience in its self it is no bigger than a small bus station. The apollo apartments are basic but good enough, they were cleaned every day and dounnis and captain were very nice, the bar stays open till the last person leaves.

Nights out in skiathos are low key but there are some very stylish bars to be found, we loved the rock'n roll bar were there are cushions placed outside on the pavement and you can order some of the best cocktails on th island.

Although Skiathos is small (you can from one end to other in about 10 to 15 mins) theres still alot to do. We went on two day cruises, i would recommend the sunshine cruise where you visit different beaches you can only get to by boat (bliss).