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December 31, 2012updated Dec 20, 2023

The 5 Best Hotels in Sardinia & Corsica

By Chris Boyle

LOBBY

Whether a sumptuous bed, a spectacular view or service beyond compare – choose from our stunning selection

CALA DI VOLPE

CALA DI VOLPE

Overlooking its own emerald bay Cala di Volpe is not only Sardinia’s most stylish hotel, it is among the most sought after in the Mediterranean.

From the outside, however, this hotel hides its merits in a shroud of tradition and understatement; designed by architect Jacques Couëlle in 1963, it resembles a crumbing fort with turrets, white stucco arches and faded hues of pink and yellow. A canal winds its way into the center of the hotel from which guests can hop on a boat to the Maddalena Islands just offshore. Inside this rustic palace are 120 rooms and suites all individually designed with their own terrace and two spectacular restaurants. Golfers will love the neighboring Pevero Golf Course.

TOP SUITE UNIQUE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Why we love it: The lavish and Unique Presidential Suite is one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites for a good reason. Occupying Cala di Volpe’s rambling tower, it has three en-suite double bedrooms, two open plan living rooms, a private pool, an alfresco gym, a steam room and a private wine cellar, which is stocked with some of Italy’s finest vintages. The rooftop terrace is undoubtedly this suite’s finest spot with its pool, gazebo, lounging and dining areas, and from its high position guests can admire the Costa Smeralda’s stunning sunsets. The service is also impeccable – a butler is on call 24 hours a day to cater for every whim and desire.

  • Square footage: 2,700
  • Nightly rate: $45,400

HOTEL PITRIZZA

HOTEL PITRIZZA’S SALTWATER POOL

Hotel Pitrizza is barely recognizable when approached from the sea.

In fact it was the intention of architect Luigi Vietti, who designed this hotel in 1963, to blend it entirely into the landscape. The result is a series of villas with granite walls and roof gardens – and there are even giant granite boulders in the saltwater swimming pool. The Pitrizza’s private beach, which overlooks the bay of Liscia di Vacca, is a short walk from the iconic pool through a garden of rosemary bushes. From here the hotel can arrange a boat to take you to the Maddalena Islands for the day. In the main clubhouse you will find a fitness and wellness center, a piano bar and the Pitrizza Restaurant, which is one of the finest in the region, well known for its Italian cuisine.

TOP SUITE UNIQUE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

UNIQUE VILLA LA ROCCIA

Why we love it: Just 300m from the Pitrizza’s private beach the Unique Presidential Suite occupies its own villa. There are three en-suite bedrooms, a large open lounge and a private wine cellar all furnished in a wholesome mixture of terracotta, pastel and wood. But this suite’s selling point does not lie indoors, outside the sprawling terrace overlooks the perfect emerald sea and is a view you could never tire of whether swimming in the villa’s private pool or alfresco dining. Guests of the Unique Presidential Suite can also enjoy the services of a dedicated butler who is on call 24 hours a day.

  • Square footage: 1,700
  • Nightly rate: $23,000

Franco Mulas, General Manager

+39 078 993 0111

Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo, Sardinia

www.pitrizzahotel.com

HOTEL LA VILLA

HOTEL LA VILLA’S TERRACE

From the moment you walk on the Hotel La Villa’s terrace you will be struck by the immense views of Calvi and the citadel.

These views are integral to the hotel and they occupy most of the rooms and suites, the many swimming pools and its Michelin-starred restaurant, La Table de Bastien. Individual villas make up the most exclusive suites, which are just a short stroll from the main lobby through beautiful Mediterranean gardens.

TOP SUITE VILLA 200

Why we love it: Villa 200 is an entirely new private villa recently built on the hillside that is separate to the main hotel. Swim in the private infinity pool overlooking the citadel of Calvi at dusk and have dinner or cocktails brought to your own private terrace. Inside stark black and white furnishings give a highly contemporary edge to the living room and four en-suite bedrooms while the villa’s trademark views are ever-present through vast floor-to-ceiling windows.

  • Square footage: 4,850
  • Nightly rate: $2,500/$3,400 (high season)

Jean Pierre Pinelli, General Manager and Owner

+33 61 107 6565

Chemin Notre Dame de la Serra, Calvi, Corsica

www.hotel-lavilla.com

HOTEL ROMAZZINO

HOTEL ROMAZZINO

Hotel Romazzino is another of Costa Smeralda’s gems run by the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts group (the others are Cala di Volpe and Hotel Pitrizza).

Following the Aga Khan’s passion to make luxury hotels look as authentic as possible, Hotel Romazzino resembles a traditional whitewashed Mediterranean villa and is surrounded by verdant gardens. But, as with Cala di Volpe and Pitrizza, behind the modest shell lies an oasis of true luxury that was originally built in 1965 and restored between 2004 and 2007. Descend through the gardens, past the Champagne Garden and Barbeque Restaurant, to the hotel’s private beach and bar for the perfect sundowner.

TOP SUITE UNIQUE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Why we love it: A private elevator whisks you up to the top floor of Hotel Romazzino to the two-bedroomed Presidential Suite. The living room and adjacent dining room open out onto the expansive 270-square-foot terrace from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Costa Smeralda. For further space the Presidential and Royal suites can be merged to create a 1,800- square-foot super suite with three bedrooms, five bathrooms and two terraces.

  • Square footage: 1,000
  • Nightly rate: $10,650

Franco Mulas, General Manager

+39 078 997 7111

Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo, Sardinia

www.romazzinohotel.com

CASADELMAR

CASADELMAR’S SWIMMING POOL

Designer hotels are an alien phenomenon to many Mediterranean islands, but overlooking Corsica’s chic town of Porto-Vecchio is the exceptionally stylish Casadelmar – a member of Design Hotels.

Surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the bay of Porto-Vecchio the cedar-clad Casadelmar offers just 31 rooms and suites in a beautifully minimalist style. The exceptional facilities on offer at Casadelmar make every use of their surroundings: In the restaurant Davide Bisetto uses Corsican ingredients to produce two Michelin-starred gastronomic menus and the Carita spa offers a stunning space for relaxation and rejuvenation. Furthermore, for those guests who want to get out and explore the stunning coastline, the hotel has a 45ft speed boat.

TOP SUITE VILLA SUITE

LOBBY

Why we love it: In this highly modern building, the creation of architect Jean-François Bodin, is Casadelmar’s design show piece. Created from red cedar and stone the Villa is designed to blend into the landscape while offering spectacular views out across the bay of Porto-Vecchio. The Villa Suite offers the best of these views from its private infinity pool and surrounding terrace.

  • Square footage: 1,300
  • Nightly rate: $7,250

Gian Luca Bertilaccio, Managing Director

+33 49 572 3434

Route de Palombaggia BP 93, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica

www.casadelmar.fr

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