Irida Aegean View, Philian Hotels and Resorts

We booked this hotel because it was on the edge of Skiathos Town. It’s walkable but don’t be fooled by it being a pleasant walk into town, it’s not! It’s a busy main road unless you walk via the beach and side streets. We knew to expect a hill from the road to the Irida, but underestimated just how much of a hill! Dropped off at the bottom by Jet2, luggage to follow, which was eventually dropped half way up the hill. First impression of the hike up to the hotel was its a bit smelly because of the goat farm at the bottom, but then there is another turn in the road which shows another very steep hill. 177 metres from the road to the hotel and about the same in incline! I don’t class myself as needing assistance, but this was a killer hill that had to be done twice per day! Once coming back from the beach and once coming back from town after dinner. We spotted someone zigzagging the hill, which apparently is a technique used in Machu Picchu to take the sting out of the hill! There is only 1 restaurant nearby which was gorgeous! Ithaki. And a donut/ice cream place. You have to walk a bit further for anything else. If you can manage the hill book a superior room, we didn’t and I’m convinced we ended up in what was a single room with only having 1 bedside table. It was very small and in dire need of updating. Yes views are amazing but it’s only B&B so you have to go down and back up that hill for dinner. It’s only 16 rooms and we got unlucky with 2 big parties in the 11 days we stayed, with people taking over the small pool area, reserving beds all day and treating the place like it was their private villa! Hence we ended up at the beach, where sunbeds are €15. Better than Koukounaries where they were €30 and not exactly luxury! Shame about the negatives because Catherine was amazing, but the location is not good for Bed and Breakfast accommodation.

If you want simple but comfortable, calm but charming, some of what you want but all of the things you need, then the Irida Aegean View with its beautiful view of the mouth of the bay of Skiathos, is definitely for you. My wife and I stayed there a few weeks ago and had one of the best holidays of our lives. Bearing in mind our last holiday was our dream trip to the Maldives with a few days in Dubai, this was right up there. On landing in Skiathos it took twenty minutes to clear the airport, (including hold luggage retrieval), twenty minutes waiting for a few stragglers to find the bus, twenty minutes transfer journey and a five minute walk from the drop off point, up to the hotel. We were greeted by the ever smiling and wonderful Catherine in reception and after the briefest of check-ins were shown to our first floor room. The room was fairly spacious, comfortably furnished with a good sized ensuite bathroom and a nice sized balcony from which to take in those views. Our hold luggage arrived shortly afterwards, no lugging our cases up the hill to the hotel for us, (more on the hill later), and we immediately began relaxing. Our room was spotless and this was maintained by the very hard working cleaning staff ... every day. Inside there is a very quick and possibly the quietest boiling kettle you will ever use. There's a decent sized fridge and a TV with a good sized screen, but don't expect too many English speaking channels. We hardly used it and certainly didn't miss them. This is a bed and breakfast hotel but the poolside bar serves a nice selection of food from about 11am until 3pm and alcoholic and non-alcohloic drinks from 10am until late. There are around sixteen comfortable sun beds around the pool and the Irida supply you with complimentary towels to use by the pool and for a small fee to use out and about. The fee is refunded in full upon their return. The breakfast has a good mix of a continental selection, cereals, along with a few cooked breakfast options, and delicious Greek Feta cheese and Greek yoghurt. Some might find it a bit 'samey', but we thoroughly enjoyed it all. The access road from the main drag up the hill to the hotel is only a four minute walk going up it and gets a little steep at the very end. As for the hill it's more like a slight incline to begin with, becomes moderately steep in the middle, and is a decent climb at the finish. It's certainly not the worst hill we have encountered but in the summer Skiathos heat it will have you a little out of breath at the finish. Fortunately refreshments are on hand right where it ends. You have the choice of a drink at bar or a dip in the pool. The Irida is situated about a fifteen to twenty minute walk from Skiathos town and the bus, which traverses the main route on the island, can be caught from the stop just yards from the end of the hotel access road. If all you are looking for is a quite, relaxing break with some traditional Greek hospitality, this is the perfect pla

This was my 1st time in Skiathos and was a solo traveler upon my arrival at the hotel Irida I was met by the break taking view and was shown to my room and again rooms are tastefully done, spacious and also has a powerful shower again view from rooms are something to get up early for. Breakfast had a good variety of food something for everyone. Taxi is 10 euros to get into town or you can either catch bus for 3 euros or walk. Loads of beaches to choose from but if you didn’t want to go far you will fine a beach down the short lane and across the road. I met some lovely people at the hotel and never felt alone the 2 young ladies that run this hotel on reception and bar are an asset to this hotel

We have just returned from our time here and had a wonderful relaxing time in the iridia.. rooms kept exceptionally clean with fantastic views. Best holiday shower ever!! The staff are efficient and friendly and can’t do enough to accommodate you, a special mention to Catherine on reception/bar who is exemplary. A fresh breakfast everyday with a great choice. A 15 min walk down the beach into town, 2 mins from the bus stop, bakery just round the corner. The only negative is the steep approach so people with mobility issues may find it too much but this applies to most of Skiathos island and town.we would absolutely consider a return trip in the future.

Firstly, on a positive note the hotel staff were fantastic. This was the saving grace for this hotel. They were extremely helpul, always positive and friendly. They were very knowledgeable and informative. Sadly though the hotel is run down, dated and need of many repairs. It looks like it's been neglected in many areas. There was a sign outside our room indicating an emergency exit route. There is no way even a fit and active person could have used this route. It has the potential to be a lovely hotel. The owners - Philian Hotels and Resorts should feel embarrassed.

We had a fabulous week at Irida. Quiet setting with amazing views. We booked a superior room & loved the extra space. The air conditioning was excellent. Yes it's up a hill but we didn't find it a problem at all & we're both 60+.