Hotel Palumbalza ★★★★

Sardinia boasts a welcoming yet dramatic landscape, and its craggy, forested peaks are one of the first things that catch the eye and make you question if you’re really still in Europe. As you arrive at the Hotel Palumbalza Porto Rotondo, this striking backdrop of greenery adds to the sense of seclusion and refuge. Walking through the hotel’s own verdant gardens and reemerging by the picturesque building that gives way onto uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Marinella, it feels as though you’ve stumbled onto some secret wonderland.

A haven waiting just for you, the brilliant colours of the tumbling flowers sit dazzlingly against the stonework of this elegant hotel. In total harmony with its surrounding environment, natural materials blend into the sprawling patios and gardens that in turn give way to pristine sands and crystalline waters. Here, nothing separates you from the dreamlike beauty of Sardinia. Whether eating at one of the two tantalising restaurants under cover of draping vine leaves, swimming in the saltwater pool looking out over the watery vista, or lazily watching the boats sail in and out of the private port, you will enjoy the full impact of this stunning setting at each moment.

If you can tear yourself away from the grounds, blissful treatments are on offer in the cosy spa and your room provides a tranquil retreat of understated luxury with a classic Mediterranean design. With nothing but the sounds of nature to hear, you’re sure to sleep deeply each night, dreaming of another day at the Hotel Palumbalza Porto Rotondo.