Latest Reviews for Katsarou

Hotel
I would highly recommend the paradise Hotel, we loved it. The hotel is well furnished clean and beautifully kept, its a family run hotel and they are all really friendly. The views are the best part, they are stunning, expecially from the large terrace bar. The hotel is up a very steep hill but a minibus takes you to Skiathos town about six times a day, you can also be dropped off down the hill near Vasilias and Achiladies beach.
We had dinner at the hotel four times in the week we stayed there and the meals were excellent,

Beaches (down the hill)
My favourite is Achilades beach which is lovely, just up the road is Vasilias beach which is quieter, Its easy to get a bus along the coast road to all the other baches on the island.

Resort
I enjoyed the resort because it was so quiet and peacful, but it was also really easy to get into Skiathos town which has dozens of bars and restaurants plus a lovely old port and harbour.

Fantastic - we cant wait to go back there.

This hotel is a real gem. Set up a very steep hill about 15 mins from the town. You cannot call it a resort as it consists of a country road and two or three hotels. The views over the bay are awesome and the thunder storm we had on our last night was out of this world. The hotel runs a bus back and forth to town every few hours which is very useful and FREE. The rooms were simple and clean and the views were very good from room 7. the breakfast was ok and the pool snacks were average.

What realy makes the place is the staff. Nicki and Kostas ran the two bars and the breakfast and looked after everyone well. It was my birthday when we were there and they let us organise a barbeque by the pool. The owner even took us to the butchers and fishmongers to buy the food. All he charged us for were the beers we drunk and the salads they made. They even let us buy our own champagne from the supermarket and chilled it for us. Where in the Uk would that happen? We hired a small speedboat with friends and toured the island. Just got to be careful not to get caught in the wake of the big ferries. The town itself is very cosmpolitan but the food on the whole was average. Far to many Italian restaurants and not many greek ones. The best food we had was at the Paridise hotel which was a five minute walk from our hotel. The hotel is not in the Olympic brochures but they do sell it and it is worth the risk of going sight unseen. The pool was so quiet on two days we had it all to ourselves. Be warned it is very deep!!

All in all a great value package and a fantastic hotel.

Returning again to the Paradise Hotel, yet again, could it be a good as last time ?? No doubts whatsover. Even more improvements with the facilities in the very clean and well serviced room, now with our very own fridge, Wow, Ice Cold Drinks !! Even more luxury in Paradise. The pool areas increased in size and the pool re-tiled and even more comfortable loungers. The family, wonderful, as usual, nothing is ever too much trouble. We were truly in Paradise for two weeks and the usual own minibus to Skiathos Town which has improved without taking the charm and character away. A further tip, with Olympic, our flight was with Astreus another small operator, well looked after by all the crew, arrived ahead of time in both Skiathos and Manchester - Can Paradise get any better - not too sure but we just may have to try again in 2006.

A very satisfied and well rested foursome from South Yorkshire.

This is the 4th trip to the island Skiathos and Paradise Hotel. Which is set in pine-clae hills with the most breathtaking views, in peaceful surroundings with the bustling town of skiathos only a 10 min journey away, (courtesy of the free, hotel mini-bus 6 times daily!) The hotel itself is run by the Economou family,who pride themselves in ensuring you are well looked after in this friendly and spotlessly clean hotel, serving tradional home-cooked tradional greek food.

We will be returning again in the future, why? because, as soon as we walk through the Paradise Hotel doors, we feel 'at home' and relaxed, which is what a holiday is all about

Hotel Paradise is as suggested, a little piece of paradise. You will be met at the airport by Billy in the hotel mini bus and take the 15 minutes to this wonderful hotel. There you will be met by a wonderful greek family, consisting of father, mother, two sons, daughter - in- law and small grandson who run the hotel. How they manage it all is a wonder. The food, accommodation and general feel-good factor is apprecited by all guests a lot of whom have been back year after year.

This was our second time at the hotel and nothing is too much trouble for the family. They are genuinely friendly and welcoming, which is why we will be back again next year.

The Paradise hotel has it all!
This family run hotel is set in the middle of a forest overlooking the sea forming the backdrop for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. It is the perfect escape from the action in Skaithos town but its' proximity allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. There is a bus service into Skaithos town six times daily which makes it a perfect location for sun worshippers wishing to explore some of the islands numerous and beautiful beaches by day and those wishing to experience the varied nightlife by night.

From day one we were made to feel extremely welcome by all the hotel staff and nothing was too much trouble. We quickly discovered that this was a hotel where guests returned year after year and it is easy to see why. The hotel is popular with families and couples alike but should not be ignored by those wishing to have a quieter base away from the hustle and bustle of the town.

All guest rooms are extremely clean with good facilities offering either country or sea views. The hotel pool offers something for those wishing to have a quick splash about and cool down or those serious swimmers amongst us. It is cleaned nightly and there are adequate sun loungers and sun shades all around for those who are not beach lovers!

The hotel terrace, with panoramic views all around, comes alive at night, whether you decide to enjoy a quiet drink before hitting the town or savour the tremendous cuisine and service offered at the open air restaurant, you will not be disappointed! The hotel bar becomes the core of activity later in the evening whether you wish to have a quiet drink to enjoy some banter with fellow guests and Kostas and Dimitrios.

We promise that you will not be disappointed, go on try your own little bit of paradise!

We have just returned from this hotel after a wonderful two weeks. This was our 5th year at the same hotel and we can't praise it enough. The food is excellent and the hotel and rooms are spotless.

This year the pool has been retiled,the poolbar area extended, new showers and toilets created near the pool and new lounger cushions added. Hairdriers and fridges have been added to the rooms.

We, like many of the guests, are 'regulars' who return year on year, which speaks for itself. The hotel is family owned and run and they take great pride in looking after their guests.It is located 800m up in the hills with fabulous views. The hotel runs a free minibus service 6 times a day into the town. Skiathos has many excellent beaches and walks - there is a wonderful 'donkey trail' from the hotel into the town which takes just 30 mins for those who enjoy getting some exercise. The local bus is also worth experiencing; only 1.40 euros.

Perhaps we shouldn't praise the Paradise too much as then we won't have it to ourselves but then why shouldn't others enjoy 'paradise' along with us.

Have just spent 14 days at the Paradise just outside Skiathos. It was just what we wanted.

High standards all round but not too big that it was impersonal. What was good about the Paradise? Family run so therefore the Economiou family had a vested interested in ensuring everything was what we wanted. Food was excellent and although we were only BandB we dined at the hotel in the evening on at least 8 occasions. The set menu of 4 courses at only 13 euros each was very good value. The rooms were cleaned daily and well maintained overall. The air-con was necessary as the weather was generally very hot throughout the 2 weeks. The view from the hotel was amazing. The friendliness of Dimitrios and Costas in particular, meant that our every need was catered for. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. The fact that so many guests were returning for the 6th/7th/8th year in succession is testimony to the way guests are looked after.

Thoroughly recomended and we will also return.
E and Y

2004 was our fifth time to Skiathos and somewhere we would recommend without hesitation and staying in the same Hotel - oh ! how boring you are saying. But no, it has improved year upon year. It is the Hotel Paradise, a family run Hotel in the best sense of the word, the friendliness, kindest and thoughfulness, so well known and appreciated by those of us who visit Greece regularly, is very much part of the Hotel.

We have travelled by Libra with Excel Air, always enjoyed but this year as we could only travel on a Friday we booked through Olympic, with an Astreus flight and it was even better. Also got very clever this year and booked over the internet, and saved a few bob. But worth noting the Hotel Paradise has its own website and travel company - may try that next time.

It is a small 40 plus bedroom Hotel, all with excellent facilities, clean and reqular supply of bedding/towels etc, literally anything you may need. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, the bar, the pool, the food (at breakfast, a little basic but so what - we do not want bacon and eggs). An added bonus a courtesy bus operated regularly throughout the day.

A few Dutch and perhaps even more German residents, but we always feel that knowing Germans regularly visit ensures first class standards. They perhaps do not necessarily put up with what the odd Brit will, and no problems with towels on recliners around the pool... Honestly !!

The Hotel itself is sited amongst Pines and the odd Olive Tree and all bedrooms have stunning views, either over the sea or the hinterland beyond the Hotel. The nearest beach is a 20 minute walk down the private road, it is downhill, OK to walk down but the hill is quite steep hence the use of the mini bus. It is an ideal base for walking but be prepared for the beauty is in the hills both up and down. It is about 3 kilometers to Skiathos Town, a lovely walk through the countryside, although the latter is on the main road.

The Town is far enough away for peace and tranquility or the odd hour around the pool and yet near enough, 10 minutes on the bus to visit regularly. The number and different eating places is incredible but those on the front tend to be a little more expensive, wander down through the back streets, see where the locals eat and you are in for a treat. We normally end up overlooking the Old Harbour and a typical Greek welcome with superb food at reasonable prices is assured at the ";O Batis";

With only one main road, and a bus service, at such low cost, well what more can you want. Over 60 beaches, not all accessible by public transport and regular hydrofoil and boats from the harbour other Islands are easily reached.

A small but beautiful Island, the people so friendly and you feel they want to share their Island with you (and their families). Only problem two weeks is never enough time to really enjoy and savour it all. We SHALL return for a sixth time in 2005 having found our very own Paradise at the Paradise Hotel in Skiathos.

We have just returned from a week at the Paradise Hotel. The hotel itself is clean, and well maintained. Rooms are functional, and have a tv. A nice balcony overlooks the beautiful sea if you're lucky.

Now the down-side, the air conditioning in the room was extremely noisy and inefficient, it does not work between 3am and 7am (with the logic that you are asleep during these hours), so every night we were awake and unbearably hot for several hours.

We went half board so experienced breakfast and evening meal most days, the food is good quality, but the menu has no imagination at all, breakfast was virtually identical every day, with just the variety of tinned fruit changing. Believe me, tinned kiwi fruit are truly awful!

Dinner consisted of soup and Greek salad followed by a main course which varied every day. Pudding was often sliced (fresh) fruit. The day we had a jeep we were overjoyed to be able to go into Skiathos Town to eat out and have some different food. The hotel is run by a father and his two sons, other staff being few and far between. Whilst they are undoubtedly very efficient, their attitude often left a lot to be desired. Woe betide you if you put your feet on a chair or dared to sit on the sofa after swimming!

The lounge area boasts a huge tv, which seemed to permanently have football on it. The sons are addicts and have little interest in you if you don't share their passion. The father rarely smiled. A word of warning if taking teenagers, there is NOTHING for them to do in the evenings, this resulted in their being very bored for much of the time. The hotel pool is clean and pleasant and the pool bar is staffed until about 5pm.

We were hugely misled by the brochure stating the hotel is a 25 min downhill walk to the beach; while this may be true, Sir Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tensing may be required to make the return uphill hike. We never tackled the uphill walk, opting to take taxis on most occassions, this cost an average of 8 Euros from Skiathos Town. The hotel has a minibus that makes 6 journeys a day to Skiathos Town, however there isn't one returning to the hotel at around 5pm due to the siesta time, which resulted in us getting taxis. We hired a jeep for a day and the sense of independence and freedom was fantastic, if returning to Skiathos we would definitely have a jeep for the entire week. Most of the roads are dirt tracks and we thoroughly enjoyed the rallying experience they gave!

We did two organise trips in the week; Marine Experience is a snorkelling trip, and Lazy Days is a boat trip right round the island enabling you to see all 66 beaches and stopping at several of them. Both trips are to be recommended, however as you return at around 5pm, you have no way of getting back to the hotel so have to get a taxi.

Skiathos itself is a beautiful island, you have to hire a jeep to see most of it as the bus service only runs along the main road on the south of the island. The beaches are beautiful and snorkelling is fairly good, however there is little else to do, especially for teenagers.

To summarise, a holiday in Skiathos is fine if you're looking for a relaxing beach holiday. If you don't mind abrasive service, monotonous food, intend on hiring a jeep for the week and don't have teenagers with you, a stay at the Paradise Hotel may be worth considering.