Description
Welcome from me, Kevin James, to Orchard Villa - nestling in its half-acre hillside olive-grove, one of a few villas and 3 top tavernas along the low Katsaros ridge with the best viewpoints on Skiathos - the incomparable '7-islands' panorama across Skiathos Bay and the sandy beaches just below (nearest is Vassilias, 5 mins drive down).
The villa is within 10-25 mins drive of most of the 60 or so mainly sandy beaches, 9 mins to Skiathos village, port, and airport - and within 12 mins. walk of 3 of the top-10 (but affordable) Skiathos taverna-restaurants.
Here's an informal overview of Orchard Villa, Skiathos, and Travel ... for more, please visit my official site " www.SkiathosGreekVillas.com", and check the contractual details in the formal 'Letting Agreement' I send before you book. (and in case issues like covid affect travel, do check "Changes to your Letting" below).
... and first ... CHANGES to PHOTOS ...
... there's a lot of refurbishing for 2024 not yet shown in photos - new curtains, dining suite, pool/decking. But general quality/appearance is same or better!
ORCHARD VILLA and GROUNDS
There's a shared gated entrance and the whole setting is very peaceful and quiet. It is a traditional Greek island villa with blue shutters, red-tiled roofs, and its own roof-terrace. There’s a large cool flag-stoned living room, split-level to the winter log fireplace and sofa, four air-conditioned bedrooms with exposed timber beams and roof, and a fully-equipped open-plan kitchen, with an English ‘pub' bar and stools. You can sleep 2 - 8 in cosy bedrooms, with an en-suite wet room and two shower rooms. The villa's attractively-sited pool is fenced and gated, set into the terraced garden with beautiful views across the bay to the nearby islands.
- Kitchen - Ceramic-hob cooker and hood with fan oven, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, filter coffee, two fridges with small freezer
compartments, double sink, and dishwasher. And there’s a washing machine, ironing board, steam iron, umbrella clothes dryer in garden.
- Guest Rooms and shower rooms - 4 air-conditioned bedrooms sleep up to 8 adults (1 double, 3 twins). The master-bedroom wing (l. of
fireplace) has 1 double and an en-suite wet room with double vasque vanity unit and w-c; the 3 twin-bedroom wing (r. of fireplace) has
2 shower-rooms each with a small vanity unit and w-c.
GARDEN SUN-TERRACES and POOL
The villa and grounds are quiet and not overlooked, fenced, with parking for 4 cars out of sight on a private entrance drive at the 'road' side of the villa.
You have 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 ‘above-ground’ POOL and wood decking is attractively set in-ground on its own ledge cut into the hillside. At 7½ x 3m. it’s like most mid-size Skiathos villa pools. But 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!
For adults it’s (as in Sophie’s 5* review) “ ... Great for a refreshing dip” ... rather than serious swimming, for which you have Skiathos’ 60+ safe and mainly sandy beaches, most only 5-25 mins drive.
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 - another spot to sip your aperitif enjoying the stunning panorama over Skiathos bay, with an eye on the kids - or sunset.
SERVICES/SUPPLIES
The price includes the following: welcome pack; weekly bed/bath linen; paper/cleaning products; end-clean; gardening; and (within limits such as "loss due to ‘natural events" in the Letting Agreement), breakdown maintenance for equipment and facilities.
Greek holiday letting laws give you rights as a "Tenant", not a hotel-type "Guest". So the above items and all the villa facilities have not been supplied on a serviced hotel/etc. basis, but have been arranged by me at your request within the price to be managed by you as Tenant.
INTERNET - Very good 3-4-5G signal for mobiles as hot-spot for your tablet or laptop, and free WiFi at most tavernas, bars, and cafes. (sorry, fixed-line router impractical)
HOLIDAY THEMES and SUITABILITY for your party:
- Beach and Sea relaxation and Sports & Activities
- Village and harbour exploring -shops, tavernas, cafes, bars, shopping and all services - click "About Skiathos" on official site above
- Hill-country hikes and exploring
- Villa life with vine-covered courtyard, terraced garden, roof sun-terrace and pool (both secure for youngsters, fenced and gated), all with panoramic views
- Family / group holidays and events (Skiathos weddings v popular! - call for info)
GREEK EATS, DRINKS, and AMBIENCE (also see part 3 of of free 'Villa Guest Guide' sent with my offer)
- Affordable 'food guide'-standard tavernas and restaurants (three of the 'top-10' within 14 mins walk of Orchard Villa)
- Traditional tavernas, restaurants, and 'zacharaplasteos' (tea-room - ice-cream, cakes, and coffee)
- Cafés, bars, and night-clubs
SPORTS and ACTIVITIES:
- Beaching, swimming, snorkelling, SCUBA (booked in village)
- Water sports on all main beaches - water-ski, wind-surf, speedboats, sailing dinghies
- Sea and pier fishing
- Hill and forest walking (accompanied available)
- Cycling and MTB
- Tennis club (in village)
- Horse riding
EASE of ACCESS to villa
- Easy front-door access from car in drive - 2 shallow steps only (many coastal villas don't warn you about long steep stone stairs to the door!)
- A few steps between split-levels in the villa and patio, and gentle path / shallow steps down to terraces and pool
KITCHEN and utilities:
- Oven, ceramic hob - Microwave - 2 Fridges - Double sink - Dishwasher - Coffee Maker
- Toaster - Dishes & Utensils - Washing Machine - Iron + board
DINING:
Most guests prefer meals and drinks ('til after midnight!) outside in the patio/courtyard (tastefully wood-furnished for up to 12)
INDOORS:
- Split-level dining/living room for 8, (high-chair avail)
- Across the 'pub' bar and stools to open-plan to kitchen
- Traditional Skiathos fireplace inside looks lovely, but not for use in summer (fire risk)
- Sofa, easy chairs
SMOKING ... outside only (wood beams and ceilings inside!), and not on pine-wood walks (local penalties)
BED and BATHROOMS - all with bed/bath linen (please b-y-o beach towels).
- Master bedroom: large double bed, en-suite wet room with shower, wc, and double vasque wash-basin vanity unit.
- Guest wing: 3 more (twin) bedrooms, and 2 wet rooms with shower, small vanity unit, w-c.
- Bedrooms have air-con, bed linen, fitted wardrobes, small dressing table, bedside tables/lamps - plus 1 hair dryer.
PASTIMES
- Cook-books, maps, guides - DVD (b-y-o discs) - Board games - Hi (-ish) Fi, CDs - even cassettes (60s rock/c&w, classical) - small modern TV
CHANGES to your letting, or to villa amenities due to issues beyond reasonable control
By booking Orchard Villa you accept the Letting Agreement contract (which I send before you book). You need to arrange your own insurance to cover consequences of situations* or natural events* (which I do not compensate) which affect either of us, and either prevent you from taking up your booking, or prevent me from providing the villa or any of its facilities (given I will make reasonable "Best Efforts" to mitigate such issues).
* inc health, epidemic, pollution, and the usual insurance "Force Majeures" and "Acts of God"
But if you are unable to obtain reasonably-priced insurance &/or or airline refund guarantees against issues like covid preventing travel to Skiathos, and you obtain my express consent before you book, I will transfer your letting free to the next year.