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Post by kelso on Feb 11, 2020 16:25:48 GMT
The Skiathian's blog has a report of the proposal to build another large luxury hotel, this time at Agia Elini! Can you believe it? Bob
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Post by balddave on Feb 11, 2020 16:35:14 GMT
I wonder if it’s linked to the increase in Russian visitors, they seem to prefer the all inclusive options, All we can hope for is the trend doesn’t continue over the next few years.
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Post by kevb on Feb 12, 2020 13:07:44 GMT
It's a bit weird as any reports I've seen from people calling in at Elivi is that it seems quiet and not anywhere near full so why build another top end hotel in a nearby location?
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Feb 12, 2020 14:13:35 GMT
I think there is a campaign to bring more tourists to skiathos, if they are proposing to build a new hotel they must believe they can fill it for the short season.
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Post by kevb on Feb 12, 2020 15:43:00 GMT
Meanwhile there's talk that during construction there will be limited or no access to some of the best spots to watch the sunset at Eleni.
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Post by balddave on Feb 12, 2020 17:52:31 GMT
Back in 70s , 80s numerous large hotel where built without opposition or fanfare, I think the reason being they weren’t exactly front line, and did not encroach on tourist beaches. I am sure the locals do not quite share our reservations, to them it must be a positive sign tourism is growing. However from experience of all inclusive resorts, not my choice, a great percentage of visitors do not leave the hotel to spend money in local taverna etc, I personally don’t think any regular visitors will have the experience dampened, but the effect on flight cost may be another issue.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Feb 12, 2020 20:20:56 GMT
I don’t see the problem.
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Post by katet on Feb 13, 2020 9:46:52 GMT
I do, Yorkshiremouth! Apart from the beach access, which will no doubt be more awkward, as with Ambelakia beach, the family who run the charming beach taverna will no doubt be booted out ... I really can’t see them fitting in with the business model of a 5* hotel. They have had the licence for many years. Also the beach kitties will no doubt ‘vanish’ - including the very famous Severus who is actually an attraction in her own right amongst cat-lovers!
Big business is impersonal and brutal. The charm of Skiathos for me is the friendliness and quirkinesses of the local hotels and restaurants. In Skiathos the only chain hotel I’ve stayed in is the Meltemi in town (in a small group of three). It’s a nice hotel, but there is a definite difference in how the staff are with guests.
I hope I’m wrong ... but I fear that Aghia Eleni will become another beach I don’t feel comfortable visiting 😓
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Feb 14, 2020 7:46:32 GMT
That sunset is a bit if a a Skíathos legend, limiting access would be shooting yourself in the foot.
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Post by dennisn on Feb 14, 2020 20:44:36 GMT
Hmm. Come stay in my 5* hotel for thousands of pounds and you get exclusive views of the best sunset in Skiathos and no plebs to spoil the view?
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Post by balddave on Feb 14, 2020 20:50:18 GMT
Or alternatively stay in any one of the wonderful accommodation available all over the island at a fraction of the cost, enjoy food in any of the fabulous taverna, probably better quality than 5 star accommodation.still enjoy wonderful sunsets and mix it up with the plebs, know which alternative I prefer.
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Post by dennisn on Feb 14, 2020 20:59:38 GMT
Yeah. But you’re balder than me, Innit?
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Feb 17, 2020 11:04:01 GMT
All too often these days I'm accessing t'interweb from my phone, where I fell less able to post in any detail. So this has been waiting for a few days.
I'm at a loss as to the vilification of 5* hotels.
They're not something newly invented for Skiathos, or even Greece. You'll find them in most places in the world, alongside other hotels, etc.
Elivi appears to be getting it in the neck a lot (more of that in a minute), but there are plenty of others, including the Princess, Kassandra Bay, Atrium, La Piscine and KB Ammos. Some of these are new, but many have been open for a while. It's only since Elivi opened that we've seen this backlash.
And I think there's the crux. Elivi and access to Banana. The restrictions to that beach have been somewhat overstated, and based on guesswork as to what would happen whilst the new buildings were under construction.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, 5* hotels DO NOT draw trade away from cheaper, self-catering accommodation, or local tavernas. Let's have a look at some real world comparisons.
TUI - 3rd July, 2 adults for a week, from Manchester.
Aggelos Koukounaries £500pp. Elivi £1,281pp.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure there's anyone out there looking at going to Aggelos who'll suddenly think Elivi is a better idea. It's over 2.5 x the price!
And even if they did, Elivi is B&B - people can and will still eat at the local tavernas.
And let's be clear, it would be illegal for the owners of the new hotel at Agia Elini to stop access to a public beach.
New 5* hotel? Not aimed at me (this side of a lottery win), but good luck to 'em.
Just my opinion.
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Post by balddave on Feb 17, 2020 13:11:46 GMT
I think the main problem cost wise is not accommodation, varied options for all price ranges, but rather extortionate flight prices.
Just my opinion but I thought the island was quieter last year compared to previous years.
It has been mentioned throughout Skiathos sites that numerous people are reluctantly looking for alternative venues to holiday, a knock on effect could be accommodation not reaching its capacity, obviously this could effect owners financially.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Feb 17, 2020 15:36:35 GMT
I think the main problem cost wise is not accommodation, varied options for all price ranges, but rather extortionate flight prices. Just my opinion but I thought the island was quieter last year compared to previous years. It has been mentioned throughout Skiathos sites that numerous people are reluctantly looking for alternative venues to holiday, a knock on effect could be accommodation not reaching its capacity, obviously this could effect owners financially. And yet... skiathian.blogspot.com/2020/02/happy-valentines-day.htmlIt's been mentioned a few times, but The Skiathian posted 2 years ago about increased numbers coming from Eastern Europe, and being actually, properly 'self catering', in that the made their own food and drank their own beer in their apartments. It's not for me, but I suspect it could make for a very cheap holiday. But that appears to be a more likely explanation for tavernas and bars being quiet, despite increased passenger numbers.
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