E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
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E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
Spectacular Aegean views, traditional Greek island charm, a few surprises, and the little things that made my stay memorable.
I’ve stayed in plenty of five-star hotels over the years, and I’ll admit that I may be a bit of a hotel snob.
Yet, when I booked my stay at Nostos Village Holiday Resort on the beautiful Greek island of Skiathos, I wasn’t looking for polished marble floors, luxury furnishings, or an ultra-modern hotel room.
I wanted something authentic. And that’s exactly what I found.
Interestingly, the ancient Greek word nostos (νόστος) means “homecoming” or “return home.” It’s a word deeply rooted in Greek literature, most famously in Homer’s Odyssey, which tells the story of Odysseus’s long journey home.
Both Nostos Village and the nearby Nostos Beach, also known as Tzaneria Beach, share this evocative name.
And while Skiathos wasn’t home, I certainly felt at home during my stay.
Perched on a pine-covered hillside overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea, Nostos Village has a certain old-fashioned Greek island charm that I found rather endearing.
Today, you’ll also come across the name Skiathos Blu, although many accommodation websites still use the older Nostos Village name. I’ll explain the differences between the accommodation options a little further on.
Was everything perfect? No. Would I return? Absolutely, although I’d do one or two things differently.
Here’s what I loved, what surprised me, and what I’d suggest knowing before you book.
>> Nostos Village made a lovely base for exploring the island. If you’re planning your own Greek getaway, don’t miss my Skiathos travel guide for more firsthand tips and inspiration.
If you’ve been searching for accommodation in Skiathos, you may have come across two names: Skiathos Blu Hotel and Nostos Village Holiday Resort.
The names are closely connected, which explains why you’ll still find references to Nostos Village on accommodation websites and older travel listings.
Skiathos Blu is the newer hotel identity, with beautifully renovated interiors that combine contemporary design with traditional Greek island architecture.
However, the wider property also has traditional-style accommodations, including the apartment where I stayed.
My photograph of the Skiathos Blu entrance confirms the branding you’ll see when you arrive.
>> My booking tip: Don’t rely on the resort name alone. Check the exact accommodation category, ask whether your room has been renovated, and confirm its location within the hillside property. That way, you’ll know what to expect when you arrive.
First, let’s talk about the location because it’s one of the resort’s biggest attractions.
Nostos Village stretches down a pine-covered hillside toward beautiful Tzaneria Beach, also known locally as Nostos Beach.
The terraced buildings blend into the landscape, while the hillside opens up to magnificent views across the Skiathos coastline and the Aegean Sea.
There’s something wonderfully relaxing about staying somewhere that feels like a little Greek village rather than a conventional hotel complex.
The resort is also within easy reach of Skiathos Airport, so you won’t spend hours getting to your accommodation after landing.
However, there’s one rather important detail about the hillside location.
Those beautiful views come with plenty of stairs!
Because Nostos Village follows the natural slope of the hillside, stairs connect many of the accommodations, facilities, and beach areas.
And there are quite a few of them.
Depending on where you stay, reaching the beach can involve a substantial walk down the steps. Resort descriptions mention approximately 250 steps.
Of course, going down is one thing. Coming back up after a day at the beach is quite another!
Personally, I enjoyed the daily exercise.
However, I wouldn’t recommend booking without considering the stairs if you have mobility difficulties, struggle with steep inclines, or prefer accommodation with everything on one level.
Families with small children should also consider the layout, particularly when carrying beach bags, strollers, and everything else that seems to accompany a day at the seaside.
>> My tip: The resort offered a complimentary internal taxi or shuttle service during my stay. It was incredibly handy when I didn’t feel like tackling the hillside. Check that this service is operating when you book, and ask how close it can get to your accommodation.
My accommodation was a traditional Skiathos-style apartment. It had everything I needed for a comfortable stay:
Air conditioning.
A private patio.
A full bathroom.
A kitchenette.
A television.
The decor was simple and minimalistic rather than modern. But that was part of its character. I certainly didn’t need fancy furnishings to enjoy my holiday. What I needed was cleanliness, and they get 10 out of 10 for that.
And as for the television? I never switched it on! By the time I returned to my apartment in the evenings, dreamland called far louder than anything on television. Besides, with an island as beautiful as Skiathos waiting outside, who wants to spend precious holiday time watching TV?
Now, I promised an honest review, so here’s something worth mentioning.
At the end of the day, after my apartment had remained closed for several hours, I sometimes noticed an unpleasant, gassy smell in the bathroom.
It wasn’t particularly welcoming.
Knowing that Nostos Village is an established resort with older accommodation, I wasn’t expecting every apartment to have the latest modern fittings.
I looked around and noticed a circular floor drain with a grid beside the toilet.
Interestingly, the base of the toilet brush holder fitted perfectly over it.
I placed the holder over the drain, and the following day, the smell was gone.
That solved the immediate problem in my apartment, although I would recommend reporting a persistent drain or sewer-gas smell to maintenance rather than treating this as a permanent solution.
Later, while sharing a taxi, I overheard an American lady complaining bitterly about a similar smell in her accommodation.
She declared that she’d never return.
I couldn’t help thinking that perhaps she’d expected a completely different experience.
And that brings me to something important.
If there’s one thing I’d encourage you to do before booking Nostos Village, it’s to understand the difference between the older, traditional-style accommodation and the more contemporary hotel options associated with Skiathos Blu.
The traditional apartments offer a simple, authentic Greek island atmosphere.
However, if you prefer sleek interiors, newer fittings, and a more contemporary hotel experience, investigate the renovated accommodation options.
Skiathos Blu is known for its stylish, modern hotel interiors, although room styles and refurbishment standards can vary.
>> My booking tip: Don’t assume that every room or apartment has been renovated. Ask specifically for photographs and confirmation of the room category you’re booking.
There’s nothing wrong with preferring modern luxury.
Equally, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying traditional island accommodation.
The secret is knowing what you’ve booked.
After all, if you book authenticity, shouldn’t you expect a little authenticity?
>> My trusty travel companion! You may have spotted my American Tourister suitcase in the bedroom photograph. It’s one of my favorite pieces of luggage and has accompanied me on many adventures.
If you’re looking for reliable luggage for your next getaway, you can browse American Tourister suitcases on Amazon.
Breakfast at the resort was served in a lovely airy setting with beautiful views, which made it a pleasant way to start the day.
Now, I am not huge into breakfast, so I was never going to judge it by the standards of someone who piles a plate sky-high first thing in the morning. That said, there were both hot and cold selections, along with various side dishes, so there was enough choice for different tastes.
For me, breakfast was more about keeping it simple. One morning, for example, I was quite content with eggs on toast.
But there was one part of the buffet that stood out to me more than anything else: the cakes.
There were usually two cake options, including a vanilla cake and a chocolate version. I did not try the chocolate one because I am not especially drawn to sweet things, but the vanilla cake absolutely did it for me.
It was soft, light, and exactly the kind of simple cake that somehow tastes even better on holiday. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that it later inspired me to recreate a similar version at home.
>> If you’d like to try it too, have a look at my Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe, inspired by my stay in Skiathos.
It’s a straightforward recipe with just a handful of ingredients and a few useful baking tips. Sometimes, the simplest holiday memories are the ones we want to recreate.
During my stay, I had a half-board arrangement, which included breakfast and dinner. It was convenient, especially after a long day exploring the island. And I had the tastiest Moussaka ever!
However, if I return, I’d prefer to book bed and breakfast, provided that option is available.
Why? Because Skiathos has so many wonderful traditional Greek tavernas!
And part of the joy of exploring a Greek island is discovering little restaurants, trying local specialties, and enjoying dinner somewhere different each evening.
Although the resort has its own dining facilities, I would have liked more opportunities to explore the island’s restaurant scene.
There’s one important catch.
Some resort exchange bookings, including certain RCI arrangements, require a mandatory half-board package. In other words, you may not be able to choose B&B.
>> My tip: Check the meal conditions carefully before confirming your reservation. If you’re using an exchange program, ask about mandatory dining charges and any additional resort fees.
It’s much better to know the full cost before arriving.
One of the lovely things about Nostos Village is that you don’t need to leave the property to enjoy a relaxed beach holiday.
The resort offers several facilities, including:
An outdoor swimming pool with a poolside snack bar.
A main bar for drinks and relaxing.
A beachfront taverna serving Greek and Mediterranean dishes.
An organized beach area with sun loungers.
Water sports, including water-skiing and scuba-diving opportunities.
Tennis facilities.
I particularly liked having the beach so close to the resort.
Even if you don’t swim, spending time beside the Aegean Sea is a pleasure in itself.
You can enjoy the scenery, watch the boats, or simply relax with something refreshing.
Just remember that the route between the beach and the higher parts of the resort involves those famous hillside steps!
Also, check whether sun loungers and water sports carry additional charges.
One of my favorite things about my stay at Skiathos Blu (Nostos Village) is how easy it is to explore Skiathos without renting a car for your entire stay.
I made good use of the island’s regular water taxis, local buses, and taxis. And I found them affordable and convenient.
Whenever possible, I enjoyed traveling by water taxi.
There’s something special about approaching Skiathos Town from the sea rather than arriving by road.
The sea breeze, coastal scenery, and views of the harbor make the journey part of the experience.
The water taxi also offered a convenient alternative to traveling along the island’s roads.
>> My tip: Keep some euro cash in your pocket. Don’t assume that every boat operator accepts cards.
Ask about the last return departure before leaving for town, especially if you’re planning dinner or an evening stroll.
The local bus network is another useful option.
Bus stop 12 serves the Nostos Beach area, while stop 13 provides access toward the upper resort road.
Buses connect this part of the island with Skiathos Town and the popular Koukounaries Beach area.
They’re particularly handy when you want to visit different beaches without worrying about parking.
However, services can become busy, especially during the peak summer months.
Rather than renting a car for the entire holiday, I hired one when I wanted to explore places that were less convenient to reach by bus or boat.
The resort had a dedicated tourism desk, and the staff were wonderfully helpful with arrangements.
I found this approach both practical and economical.
A car gave me the freedom to explore more remote corners of Skiathos, while public transportation covered many of my other outings.
>> My tip: Consider renting a car for just one or two days instead of the full week. You can save money and avoid paying for a vehicle that spends most of its time parked.
An automatic car is also worth considering if you prefer not to deal with gears on unfamiliar, winding island roads.
Skiathos Airport is relatively close to the resort, making the arrival journey straightforward.
A taxi is generally the easiest option, especially if you’re carrying luggage.
The drive is relatively short, although the exact journey time depends on traffic and your arrival arrangements.
Another option is to travel into Skiathos Town and connect with the local bus heading toward Koukounaries.
However, because Nostos Village occupies a hillside, think carefully about where you’ll arrive and how far you’ll need to carry your luggage.
>> My tip: For your arrival, I’d favor a taxi directly to the resort. Once you’ve settled in, use the inexpensive local buses and water taxis to explore.
I can’t write about Nostos Village without mentioning the people who work there.
Throughout my stay, the staff were exceptionally friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
Nothing seemed too much trouble.
The tourism desk was especially useful when I needed advice or wanted to arrange a rental car.
And it’s these small interactions that often make the biggest difference.
Beautiful surroundings are wonderful, but genuine hospitality can turn a pleasant holiday into a memorable one.
That certainly happened here.
Based on my experience, I think Nostos Village is especially appealing if you enjoy:
Traditional Greek island architecture and atmosphere.
Beautiful sea views and a hillside setting.
Easy beach access.
Exploring independently by bus, boat, and occasional rental car.
A relaxed environment rather than an ultra-modern luxury hotel.
Friendly, helpful resort staff.
However, I’d think twice if you have significant mobility difficulties or strongly dislike stairs.
And if contemporary interiors are important to you, investigate the renovated room options before booking.
Yes, I would.
I loved the setting, the beautiful Aegean views, the island atmosphere, and the genuine friendliness of the staff.
The apartment was simple, and I encountered a minor maintenance issue, but neither overshadowed everything I enjoyed.
I’ve stayed in more luxurious hotels, certainly.
Yet luxury doesn’t always mean that a holiday will be more memorable.
Sometimes, it’s the character of a place, the people you meet, the views you wake up to, and the freedom to explore that stay with you long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
Next time, I’d investigate a B&B booking so I could enjoy more evenings at traditional Greek tavernas.
I’d still use the water taxis and local buses.
I’d still rent a car for the occasional day of exploring.
And I’d certainly look forward to another slice of that lovely vanilla cake at breakfast!
>> Planning your own Skiathos holiday? Explore more of my firsthand Skiathos guides on TravelandHome.com, including island excursions, beautiful beaches, and practical tips for getting around.
Want a little glimpse of the island beyond the resort?
Come along and explore beautiful Skiathos through my own travel footage. From the sparkling Aegean Sea to the island’s gorgeous coastal scenery, this video captures some of the moments that made my Greek getaway so memorable.
Accommodation standards, dining packages, prices, and available services may change, so always confirm the details that matter to you before booking.
Explore the world. Bring its beauty home. – Arina ♡
