Welcome from Kevin to lovely Orchard Villa Skiathos! (Aug-Sep still avail!).
Full description, "page-down" - but please DON'T click on "Check Availability" or "Request to Book" until you'click "Contact Host - KevinVivienne" to tell me your dates/party size, so I can check provisional bookings from all adverts before I send price/date quotes and Letting Agreement.
And to check with me in case of doubt - descriptions and photos are NON-contractual unless in the Letting Agreement (and not yet in the photos are the 2024 replacements of curtains, furniture, all linen; and the extended pool/decking ... and spring-time photos show flowers which don't bloom midsummer. But the view doesn't change !)
ORCHARD VILLA SKIATHOS is classic 'Traditional Greek Island' style - blue shutters, red-tiled low-pitch roofs, and - rare on Skiathos - a Cyclades roof sun-terrace. It's one of just a few villas and 3 tavernas with one of the best Skiathos viewpoints, on the low Katsaros ridge overlooking sandy beaches and the spectacular '7-island' view across Skiathos Bay. Its peaceful setting has a gated entrance shared with one villa (with separately fenced garden/pool), with parking for 4 cars your side.
There’s a large cool flag-stoned living room, split-level to the winter log fireplace and sofa, and open-plan across the 'pub' bar and stools to the fully-equipped kitchen. Four air-conditioned cosy twin or double bedrooms with exposed wood sleep 2-8, with 3 shower etc. rooms (one en-suite). The child-fenced private pool (more for kids than adults as below) is set into the terraced garden slope with the same stunning views across Skiathos bay.
... and page-on down for ...
- Reviews
- Bedrooms - Dining - Kitchen
- Pool - Garden/parking - Sun-terraces
- Services/supplies - Internet - Licence
- Tavernas and Countryside at your gate
- Skiathos village/harbour (10 mins)
- Beaches (5-25 mins)
- Travel to Skiathos
- Rental Agreement, insurance, cancellation)
- Base prices
REVIEWS from guests from Owners Direct / HomeAway (taken over by VRBO), see "Reviews" tab on other O-V listings - here's a sample from Sophie (Aug 2020) ...
" Thanks so much for letting us have such a beautiful villa, we’re having a lovely time. I thought your idea it has the best view in the Med. was exaggerated, but may well be true! Pool great for refreshing dip, and we’ve enjoyed comfortable shady spots under the vine pergola and roof terrace sunshine. Great 'Olive Thea' restaurant only 5 mins walk, probably best on Skiathos".
BEDROOMS - there's a double (or twin) master with en-suite, wc, and double vanity unit; and three twins plus two shower rooms each with wc and small vanity unit.
They're all air-conditioned, with exposed wood ceilings and beams (so "No Smoking!").
DINING - inside, or (mostly) outdoors on the courtyard patio. The split-level lounge is open-plan across the bar and stools to the well-equipped kitchen, with doors to master and guest wings with 4 air-con bedrooms. There’s a wine rack - for you to fill! (see Orchard Villa Guest Guide - Part 3, Food & Wine), a full cookery library, and lots of books for rare rainy days - or on sun-loungers.
Four French windows open onto a vine-covered split-level courtyard patio with tasteful wood furniture for outdoors living (no 'white plastic'!), overlooking a ½-acre hillside olive-grove garden with views from three terraces for sunbathing, partying, and drinks above the pool. You enjoy the unmatched '7-island' view over Skiathos bay and its 60+ mostly sandy beaches and hidden coves. The courtyard patio is your extended living-room, sheltered from breezes and warm enough for dinner and drinks 'til after midnight; with the garden lights and moonlit sea views across to the lights of the villages on Skopelos and Evia Islands.
KITCHEN - open-plan across 'pub' bar and stools, with modern ceramic-hob cooker and hood with fan oven, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, filter coffee, two fridges with small freezers, work surfaces, double sink, dishwasher, and loads of storage. And there’s a washing machine, ironing board, steam iron - and large outdoor ‘umbrella’ dryer.
SUPPORT and SUPPLIES - Greek guest protection law is for an unserviced villa (NOT hotel-type "serviced lodging"), but the price includes provision of support/supplies you request simply by booking the villa.
They are: welcome pack; weekly bed- and bath-linen; domestic supplies; end-clean, and (if not excluded by the Rental Agreement as 'issues beyond reasonable control’): maintenance of amenities inc. pool and appliances. Locally paid services like extra cleaning, barbecue party, shopping delivery, etc. may be possible
INTERNET - perfect signal for your 3-4-5G mobiles as wi-fi hot-spot to your tablet or laptop (sorry, NO fixed-line Wi-Fi router; billing not practical) ... and free wifi access at nearly all tavernas and bars in village - beaches - countryside.
CERTIFICATION - Orchard Villa was on 'Owner’s Direct' site from 2005, and 'S-Times' 1990; and certified by the Tourism Ministry.
GARDEN/PARKING - the villa and grounds are quiet and not overlooked, fenced, with parking for 4 cars of yours.
SUN-TERRACES and pool - 4 terrace areas, all with superb views ... The large unoverlooked roof sun-terrace has a 360º view from Skiathos bay's ‘7-islands’ to the wooded Kechria valley and the north channel. Then there's a split-level dining courtyard/patio (through 4 French windows from the lounge); a top ‘party’ terrace with sun-loungers; the pool-area terrace with slate-top drinks table; and the grassed picnic slope below.
The POOL ... for adults is more of a 'plunge-pool cool-off'! (from Sophie’s 5* review “ ... Great for a refreshing dip” ... rather than serious swimming from Skiathos’ 60+ safe and mainly sandy beaches, most only 5-25 mins drive).
It's a modern (2021) ‘above-ground’ Pool and wood decking (new for 2023) from leading maker "Bestway" (1000s of happy users), attractively set in-ground on its own ledge landscaped into the hillside. At 7½ x 4m. it’s like most mid-size Skiathos villa pools. The new decking is just for a pool-side drink or sun-bathe ... not for a dive- or jump-in, as the pool is just a child-secure 1¼m. deep!
The pool-side and decking are child-fenced for 4m. along the lower terrace, with level access to the pool ladder by 2 steps down from the far end of the terrace, with its slate-top aperitifs table and bench - more space to sip your aperitif enjoying the stunning panorama over Skiathos bay, with an eye on the kids - or sunset.
TAVERNAS and COUNTRY at the front gate -
TAVERNAS-restaurants - 3 of Skiathos' top 10 (but affordable) 'dining out' are within 12-18 mins walk: 'Olive View' taverna - Trip Advisor 4.5/5.0; 'Anastasia' (Paradise Hotel), T-A 4.5; and 'Kivo Creative Greek Restaurant' (Kivo Hotel), T-A 4.5+) The hotels' scenic pool-bars are usually open to you. Other favourite Skiathos tavernas - all within 10-25 mins drive - are in "Orchard Villa Skiathos Guide Part 2" I send you.
COUNTRYSIDE pursuits ... hill and forest hikes and drives, horse-riding, trail biking, country tavernas, and sight-seeing to restored Byzantine chapels and monasteries (sorry, no classical ruins!).
SKIATHOS VILLAGE and HARBOUR - classic Greek-island - are 10 mins drive (click 'Location' tab), and saw the 'Fathers' Arrival' in "Mamma Mia" (the wedding was in Agios Ioannis church, near Glossa village on Skopelos).
Inviting traffic-free paved village lanes offer all shops and services, plus the old harbour and marina lined with tavernas and café-bars.
BEACHES, TAVERNAS, SEA-SPORTS all under 5-25 mins drive (click 'Location')
Skiathos has dozens of sandy beaches; the largest with water-sports, most with tavernas or bars. If you prefer to enjoy most of your time at Orchard Villa, there are reliable radio taxis and buses for beaching. But you really need a hire car - please ask me. Or, water-taxis from the old port to many beaches, and "Trips round the local Islands" Skiathos, Tsougria, Arkos, and Marengo; and to the marine park (seals/dolphins); plus scheduled hi-speed hydrofoils for trips to Skopelos and Alonnissos, and mainland Volos.
... and all this on an island barely 9 miles by 6, seen by many as the most attractive in all Greece.
TRAVEL to Skiathos - direct charters, with only 10 mins transfer to Orchard Villa.(or budget flights to Athens, for domestic flight to Skiathos).
Or for a 2-in-1 holiday, take a car/ferry-cruise tour with stop-over options in the Alps-Venice-Athens.
AIRPORTS, AIRLINES, FARES, or driving over, click above on "Contact Host" to tap my experience of budget options and unfindable flights!
AVAILABILITY
- sorry, Vrbo don't show full price/availability calendars (below*).
- so to save effort: click "Contact Host" with your dates and party size (DON'T click "Request to Book" or "Availability" yet)
- Once we agree dates/prices, I send a formal Offer and Letting Agreement for you to confirm back.
- You can then pay me via Vrbo for my confirmation
LETTING AGREEMENT inc. Insurance and Cancellation/refund
- "Contact Host" as above to confirm you accept this BEFORE you hit "Request to Book" and pay.
Key 'Agreement' for YOUR action:
For cancellation compensation/refund at any time (unless covered by re-let, or own insurance) ... you need your own full-cover holiday INSURANCE (in US, with CFA), includingForce Majeure, owner's failure, cancelled flights, and medical (many now cover covid etc).
I will reschedule cancellations free if due to legal travel restrictions.
If I cancel any time, max refund is 100% of total price less any site charges.
* BASE PRICES w/o booking service charge (Vrbo will advise total)
Low Season 24 May 24 14 Jun 24 £1 ,638 7 Nights (£234/night)
Mid Season 1 14 Jun 24 19 Jul 24 £1,841 7 Nights (£314/night)
High Season 19 Jul 24 30 Aug 24 £2,198 7 Nights (£263/night)
Mid Season 2 30 Aug 24 27 Sep 24 £1,841 7 Nights (£314/night)
