The 10 best hotels in Sardinia

A half hour’s walk from the archeological site of Nora, this family-run hotel is filled with carefully chosen art and sculpture from its owner’s world travels. Set in a lush garden, it’s a typically Sardinian low-rise, with white plaster walls and wooden beamed ceilings, and many rooms overlook the pool. There’s a tiny spa with a hammam and, while there’s no restaurant, Pula, with plenty of bars and restaurants, is a relaxing half-hour’s walk away. Excursion bookings can be made to nearby beaches.

Looking for your stay in Sardinia to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible? Well, you’re unlikely to do much better than the Palazzo Doglio. The all-star concierge service is happy to help you make the most of the nearby beaches and restaurants, including tips for off-site snorkelling, windsurfing and much, much more. On-site is a spa (with hydrotherapy pool) and a theatre, while the Doglio’s rooms are chic and modish, kitted-out with bold artwork and striking design features.

Cala di Volpe is in an idyllic setting on the Costa Smeralda, not too far from Olbia. It’s a pleasingly low-rise hotel that is a mix of traditional terracotta and white stucco, with sculptures and cool artworks, and all bedrooms come with sea-view terraces. Beyond them lie six restaurants and bars, plenty of facilities, including a Wellness centre, and an Olympic-sized seawater pool. Don’t want to share it? If money’s no object, the Presidential suite has its own rooftop pool. And if you can drag yourself away from all this laidback luxury, the excellent staff can arrange everything from kayaking to boat trips to La Maddalena.

An hour's drive from Olbia in Trinita d’Agultu, five-star Marinedda is one of the biggest spas in Sardinia. Well-designed luxury accommodation, all with balconies or terraces, is set within nature, with uninterrupted views of Isola Rossa. The beach is 250 metres from the hotel and, as well as dozens of spa treatments, there’s a gym, free sports and trekking activities, yoga classes, and daily trips around La Maddalena and to Corsica. Excellent breakfasts are served on a panoramic terrace, and there are four restaurants to choose from.

This five-star hotel, beloved by couples and honeymooners, overlooks the Maddalena archipelago in Palau, and is set within its own nature park to maximise the feeling of seclusion. Inoffensively monochrome rooms are spacious, with a verandah or balcony, service is excellent, and facilities are impressive, from the swimming pool on the rocks with five floating wooden sunbathing platforms to the well-equipped spa. Take a day-trip on the hotel’s vintage sailing boat, Pulcinella, or just spend the days on the hotel’s three lovely beaches; for those Marlene Dietrich moments, Cala Selvaggia is often deserted.

This quirky little B&B lies on a quiet back street within sight of the famous St Efisio church. Within the traditional 19th-century building, there are six individually designed rooms, one with a freestanding bath and an in-room sauna. There’s no restaurant on-site, but the owner, Enrico, is helpful with recommendations for nearby bars and eateries, and a breakfast voucher is provided for nearby Caffè Coccodi. Don’t have your own wheels? Local buses can easily ferry you to the excellent five-mile Poetto beach and the wetland park of Molentargius.

Once a 19th-century hunting lodge, this five-star gem has a wonderfully aristocratic feel. Surrounded on three sides by parkland or sea, the terrace of your individually designed room or suite may well have a panoramic view. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, and another overlooking the sea, plus a spa and gym, while the slightly formal restaurant majors on seafood. For those looking for more varied options, the hotel is close to the bars and nightlife of Alghero’s centre.

Overlooking a beautiful bay, the location of this modern boutique resort is fabulous – especially when you take in the views from its small private beach. Spacious elegant rooms, with balconies overlooking gardens or the sea, are styled in muted tones, and all have a lounge area and luxurious bathrooms. An expansive buffet breakfast can be taken on the umbrella-covered terrace overlooking the pool area, and there’s a creative evening menu. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools and a spa, and beyond the resort, bookable trips include horse-riding and cultural tours, as well as trips to La Maddalena.

When it comes to settling down for some serious rest and relaxation, Sardinia is, naturally, a pretty popular spot. And this retreat caters exactly to those needs. Host to not just a spa and wellness centre but also a sauna, Turkish bath and a heated pool with hydromassage jets, the Cascioni even offers birdwatching and olive-picking experiences. The suites themselves are appropriately luxe, with many offering private pools and charmingly rustic decor.

Set in 1,400 metres of its own piece of coastline to explore, this resort is so well equipped that there’s little reason to leave…everything is here, including seven restaurants, four pools (one with a swim-up bar), a huge spa centre and boat excursions to La Maddalena on the hotel’s boat, but it’s also not far from the groovy windsurfing area of Porto Pollo. Simple rooms, decorated with traditional art and textiles, have modern features, including an espresso machine, and many look out onto the La Maddalena archipelago.