South Africans are increasingly fleeing winter (alongside VAT increases, and endless GNU debates) to dive into Greece, immersing into experiences from quiet fishing villages, and up to the surface: The Mykonos spectacle.
On the more fashionable hotspots, you can find sublime boutique hotels and rim flow pools for the Instafluencers, but when you pursue the quieter islands – a quieter approach to luxury often results in a trade-off in the five-star category, simply due to a lack of modernity or understanding of the huge evolution in traveller preferences. It’s all a bit 80s and 90s still, a Mama Mia timewarp.
Recommendation: If you have enough money to go premium, but want to avoid the Mediterranean five-star ‘mirage’, seek credible recommendations from like-minded travellers, and spend a little more to guarantee style, sophistication, and island authenticity.
Skiathos finds this balance beautifully. It’s still quiet enough to avoid the Mykonos or Santorini buzz, it’s not clubby enough for Brits abroad, and it’s largely safe for late teens who are stepping out into an independent social nightlife; oh, and it’s wondrous green. Personally, I have to add that the roads are less narrow and snakey than the more treacherous North East Corfu and Paros – both these islands have recently climbed the ladder for SA visitors. Driving on the other side of the road, and on the other side of the car, spacious roads matter to the driver, with a carful of chirping critics in the back.
Yet, playing open cards, Skiathos is guilty of a lack of luxury ‘stock.’ There are a handful of five-star hotels, The Skiathos Princess (more of a four-star retirement village), Skiathos Palace (in desperate need of a portal to the 21st century), Kassandra Bay (compact, but popular), and Elivi Skiathos, the hands-down winner here. No contest.
A Place That Breathes
Elivi Skiathos is more than a resort; it’s a nod to something deeper; the legendary Xenia hotels. Built in the mid-20th century, Xenia wasn’t just about architecture. It was a philosophy of welcome, of seamlessly integrating design with the land, of honouring history while moving forward. Many have disappeared, some remain, but Elivi carries the spirit forward.
It sprawls across 213 acres, four beaches, and three distinct areas offering everything from suites to villas, but what sets it apart is how it feels. There’s space, not just physical, but the kind that lets you breathe. The kind that invites you to slow down.
The design leans on natural materials – stone, wood, earth tones – letting the Aegean take centre stage. This isn’t opulence for opulence’s sake. It’s considered, restrained, and immersive. Rooms open effortlessly to the landscape, drawing you outside, into the pine-scented air, the salted breeze, the shifting hues of sea and sky.
Luxury With a Conscience
Elivi has considered solar collectors, geothermal air conditioning, and electrolysis pool purification. They might be small details to some, but they exist, and quietly lessen impact without turning into a gimmick. The landscaping leans into native vegetation, reducing irrigation while giving wildlife a home.
Even the water conservation measures feel thoughtful rather than performative. It’s this balance—luxury without waste, indulgence without excess—that makes Elivi not just a destination, but a statement.
A Tribute in Motion
The original Xenia hotels were designed to bring the world to Greece, without erasing Greece in the process. Elivi Skiathos honors that by embedding itself in history without being trapped by it.
It stands near some of the island’s most famous beaches—landscapes that have barely changed for centuries. The design leans modern, but never loud—clean lines, open spaces, subtle references to its Xenia roots. There’s an elegance here, but it’s not trying too hard. It just exists, as if it has always belonged.
Beyond the Walls
A resort is only as good as the world around it, and here, that world is spectacular.
- Ambelakia Beach, hugging the resort, feels secluded, almost private, a rarity in Greece.
- Big Banana Beach, a stretch of sugar-white sand, shimmers with impossibly clear water, two restaurants, and just enough liveliness without tipping into chaos.
- Little Banana Beach, for those embracing a different kind of freedom (this one’s naturist territory).
- Koukounaries Beach, one of Greece’s most famous, is nearby, but thanks to its sheer scale, never feels suffocating.
And unlike much of the Aegean, Elivi’s beaches really do feel like they belong to you. Not through exclusivity – every Greek beach is public – but through proximity, ease, and design. Even movement is intentional. Trails weave through the pines, leading you to quiet moments where the only sound is the sea. Bikes, hikes, and guided experiences invite guests to experience the island as it is, not just as a backdrop. Pools mirror the landscape: one nestled in pine and olive groves, another an infinity edge over the sea.
The true magic of Elivi is its ability to balance opposing forces; heritage and modernity, indulgence and sustainability, escape and connection. Some brands can strike those balances beautifully and that’s why this resort is the finest on the island.
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