In July 2016 we stayed at Hermes for 2 weeks as a couple in an apartment which can sleep 3 with a balcony facing the road with views to the sea. The apartment was larger than we expected and was split level with the sleeping area and shower room on the upper level (only 3 steps) and kitchen and balcony at the lower level. Balcony was ideal as it could be used at breakfast time and at lunch time before the sun came round and by early evening the sun had passed and we could sit in comfort in the shade.
The room was kept clean and tidy with bins emptied daily. Bed linen and towels not changed daily but often enough for us.
The pool bar and restaurant excellently served by Ramona, George and Vasilis. Meals and snacks served all day at the restaurant and food of top quality, one of the best in the area and reasonably priced too.
At night Sid looked after us really well at Vanilla Bar and almost ran himself to a standstill. He was building up his cocktail trade and used his regulars as official tasters. This is a new addition at Hermes and gives an alternative to the Pool Bar where there is the occasional theme night.
Below Vanilla Bar is the family supermarket which has a wide range of goods and is used by locals who seem to get priority treatment but, hey ho, you're on holiday!
Hermes is at bus stop 13 half way along the island. There are buses each way every 15 minutes, only 1 Euro 60 to Skiathos Town at bus stop 0 and the same to Koukounaries at bus stop 26. One suggestion, try to avoid going to town between 7.30 and 8.30 at night as the buses are crammed with people coming back from the popular beaches.
We liked Kolios Beach about a 10 minute walk from Hermes, it is quiet and has loads of beds and umbrellas. Also has a taverna at the far end for a beer or sea food meal if you fancy. Staff could do with Customer Service training so be patient. There are 3 other beaches in the area but we never used them.
Other than Hermes the only other restaurant we used in Kolios was Johnny's which we also highly recommend. It is near bus stop 12 but is only a 10/15 minute walk from Hermes. Further afield there are a number of eateries at Paraskevi, bus stop 16, and at Troulos, bus stops 19 and 20.
If you go Skiathos get off at bus stop 4 and either meander down the lanes to the front or find your way to the main shopping street which has plenty of good quality shops.
We had a superb holiday mainly due to efforts of Ramona and Sid but it is fair to say there were one or two niggles.
There is a pretty steep hill up to the first apartments and his continues up to the pool area and top apartments. A set of steps at the side of the supermarket gets up to the first level quicker.
The pool area has plenty of sun beds but some have no umbrellas and some have enormous ones which cut out the sun from several pairs of beds.
We were with Thomsons and they have a strange way of delivering and picking up luggage. Due to the hills at many of their apartments they load luggage on a truck and this arrives about an hour after you get to your apartment. On departure your luggage is picked up 2 hours before the transfer coach and is left at a bar outside the airport. We didn't fancy this so got a taxi to the airport. It cost 20 Euros but it got us there before the rush.