19 Best Hotels in Sardinia, Italy

A stunning mansion dating from the 1880s has been transformed into this elegant secluded hotel that blends gold tapestries, crystal chandeliers, marble floors, canopy-draped beds, vaulted ceilings, and other Belle Époque treasures with modern amenities such as a luxury spa with a gym and an illuminated pool. It's set on a rocky promontory—above the sea but still near the center—affording great views from the spacious balconies of every room. Guests often congregate in the main lounge or the adjoining billiards room for after-dinner drinks. In summer, the outdoor saltwater pool, beach bar, and sun terrace are great places to relax. Service is sophisticated and impeccable, especially in the restaurant, where black-tie waiters suavely deliver silver-domed seafood and vegetarian platters (not meat), and the sound of live piano music and, occasionally, an opera singer set a suitably upscale tone.

Long a magnet for the beautiful people, this hyperglamorous Marriott Luxury Collection hotel was designed by Jacques Couëlle to evoke a traditional Mediterranean village, complete with its own bay and covered bridge; the exterior is complemented by a rustic-elegant interior with beamed ceilings, terra-cotta floors, Sardinian arts and crafts, and porticoes overlooking the Cala di Volpe Bay. There's an Olympic-size saltwater pool, boat service to a private beach, and access to the Pevero Golf Club. Summer prices are high (€1,000 and up), but discounted rates are available with loyalty points and in low season.

You don't have to venture far out of Nuoro to appreciate its magnificent mountainous setting, and mountain views don't get much grander than from this excellent lodging immersed in the oak forests of Monte Ortobene. Despite its simple rural character, you'll find all the comforts you could wish for, with bright, spacious guest rooms and modern en suite bathrooms. Two of the rooms have access to a broad terrace with far-reaching views across the valley—perfect for relaxing with a book or for a spot of yoga. The delicious breakfasts include homemade pastries and yogurt, and the hospitable Sard-French hosts are full of advice for explorations farther afield.

Now relaunched under Hilton’s Conrad banner, the Chia Laguna hotel still has its captivating position overlooking Monte Cogoni beach and the sleek expanse of Chia lagoon, and its five-star facilities are geared to maximizing guests’ enjoyment of these natural advantages. One of the resort’s alfresco restaurants, La Terrazza, also enjoys sea views, as do most of the modern, spacious, and light guest rooms. Other facilities include curving, lawn-surrounded pools, tennis courts, and a small gym. Milanese designers have made the interior an appealing blend of modernity and Sardinian motifs, with traditional island artifacts set amid ceramic-tile floors and sand-hued walls.

Atop a cliff at the end of a rocky track on Sardinia's southernmost tip, a working lighthouse dating from 1856 contains this unusual hotel—a self-described "door suspended between the sky and the sea"—where it's easy to switch off and tune out amid luxurious surroundings. It’s small and select but still has space for lounges and a library, all blending vintage furnishings with elegant modern pieces. Some guest rooms are in a separate annex. It's a bit of a trek to go out in the evenings, but top-notch four-course dinners are available in the dining room for €100. A wide terrace with gazebos and an infinity pool overlook the sea, and a Jeep is on hand for shuttling you to nearby beaches.  Request a Sea View Suite for 360-degree coastal vistas.

Sea and mountain views, top-quality cuisine, and chic and spacious guest rooms are the main draws at this romantic boutique hotel outside the picturesque village of San Pantaleo. Heavy oak tables and wood-beam ceilings lend a farmhouse character to the lounges, and the Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Fuoco Sacro, has a stunning veranda overlooking the verdant hills and the sea in the distance (booking early for Il Fuoco Sacro is recommended, and there's a second, less formal osteria). In addition to the hotel's heated outdoor pool, six of the suites have their own private pool, and guests also have access to a wellness center equipped with a Turkish bath, a Roman sauna, and a menu of massage treatments. The hotel, perched on a hilltop covered by junipers, olive trees, and white granite boulders, is a few kilometers inland from the Costa Smeralda, and a 10- to 15-minute drive from some prime beaches. No children under 12 are permitted.

In the vicinity of Parco di Monte Claro, about a 15-minute taxi or bus ride from Cagliari's center, this trendy hotel offers contemporary styling and upscale guest rooms in a 15-floor circular tower with sweeping city views. What feels like a grand business-hotel lobby leads to a full-service bistro, restaurant, and sunken bar defined by a striking upside-down cone, beyond which a partially covered outdoor courtyard is decked out with pools, giant plant pots, and seating areas. The 207 spacious, soundproof rooms are impeccably designed with Philippe Starck furnishings and equipped with modern bathrooms. Guests can work out in the gym and receive discounted massages and beauty treatments, while the TSpa (closed Monday) offers 90-minute sessions in a hydrotherapy pool, a Finnish sauna, and a Turkish steam bath for €29. Friendly and attentive staff serve excellent breakfasts, refreshments, and international cuisine year-round, making this lively hotel a popular gathering spot for locals.

Just southeast of Nuoro, in the foothills of the Supramonte range, Su Gologone combines luxury with rural flavor in guest rooms that feel like country retreats (exposed beams, wooden chests, traditional Sardinian fabrics) and a rustic restaurant that pairs local cannonau reds with such Sardinian specialties as maccarones de busa (thick homemade pasta twists), culurgiones (ravioli), suckling pig, and, for dessert, sebadas (fried-dough pockets stuffed with cheese and lemon peel). Relax around the large swimming pool and in the lounging areas, or coordinate with staff members to organize 4WD or hiking expeditions.

Worry and stress seem to melt away upon arriving at this beach hideaway, where modern guest rooms with stone floors, big windows, and rural Sardinian touches are surrounded by peaceful gardens planted with pines and palms. In addition to the sandy beach, a stay here gets you access to a tennis court and three pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the sea and a separate children's pool. There's a poolside bistro, and a patio where you can enjoy romantic candlelit dinners. Minibus service is available for trips to nearby Chia, Pula, and Nora; the golf course at Is Molas is also close at hand.

The airy white rooms, period-style furnishings, and ceramic flooring make this third-floor pension directly opposite the port cozy and characterful. Venetian glass chandeliers hang in the air-conditioned rooms, some of which have sea views and are decorated with ceiling frescoes, though most are courtyard-facing. Family rooms are also available. Expect polite, friendly service with basic English spoken from the host family. Basic breakfasts, included in the price, are available at one of the open-air cafés under the atmospheric arcades of Via Roma, below. The bus and train stations are steps away.

A brief walk from the town center, this hotel occupies a panoramic spot right by the splendid Rena Bianca beach and has functional rooms—most of them spacious, a few of them with balconies and sea views. Public rooms are much grander, furnished with wicker chairs, and there are terraces and lawns for sipping drinks. The grounds include a palm-shaded pool, and there is a shuttle service to transport guests to beaches further afield. Bike hire and boat excursions can also be arranged. Everything is well maintained by the exceptionally friendly staff, and there may be a minimum stay in peak season.

A remote Green Coast oasis on lovely Piscinas Beach—between Capo Pecora and Capo Frasca—this designer hotel occupies a former warehouse, built in the late 1800s to house minerals excavated from surrounding hills. The prevailing tone, however, is contemporary chic, not least in the spacious and simply furnished guest rooms, enhanced by marble floors, wooden beams, and Sardinian artisan fabrics. All rooms (some with sitting areas) and the dining areas enjoy views of the limitless sands stretching out on either side. You can take part in the daily yoga sessions on the beach, lounge around the hotel's swimming pool, or relax with an evening drink in the well-stocked American Bar. Note that a two-night minimum stay is required between July and September.

Close to the port and the main downtown sights, this large, modern hotel attracts both vacationers and businesspeople with a quiet, friendly ambience and spacious, sober rooms. Breakfast choices include local pastries, fresh fruit, and cooked options, and there’s a handy lounge-bar and a popular restaurant. The internal garage is a rarity in Cagliari.

The only hotel located in Alghero's central Catalan quarter occupies an ex-convent once attached to the church of San Francesco. The somewhat cramped and cell-like guest rooms are ranged around the atmospheric 14th-century cloister where breakfast is taken. Though short on comforts, all accommodations have air-conditioning and private bathrooms, and are surprisingly quiet considering the central location. There's no elevator, and a three- to seven-night minimum stay in summer.

A broad sun terrace and white, plant-filled decor make this sleek boutique hotel a good choice, as do the spacious and surprisingly quiet—given the busy location—guest rooms, all of which have modern bathrooms and some of which have private balconies. Buffet breakfasts are served on the terrace in fine weather.

Housed in a remodeled palazzo built at the end of the 19th century for the count after which it is named, this small and select hotel occupies a quiet location on a traffic-free backstreet just a few steps from Corso Umberto. There are exposed granite walls and quirky period touches everywhere, although facilities are modern, including spacious rain showers in the marble bathrooms. Suites and the extra-large suites boast their own veranda or balcony, spa bath, or sauna, Fresh and varied breakfasts are taken in the basement, from which you can access a lower level where massage treatments are available—just steps away from the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct! There is no restaurant, but guests are directed to the chic and much-lauded Essenza Bistrot, right opposite.

This central downtown hotel has a reassuringly old-fashioned style, with its grand, columned exterior and elegant neoclassical lobby hung with chandeliers. The staff are professional but friendly, while the well-kept, comfortable rooms have lovely wood or marble floors, solid wood furniture, striped bedding, and efficient bathrooms. There's an internal garden, and the hotel's brick-vaulted Blao restaurant pulls in the locals.

One floor of a 19th-century palazzo, next to the town hall on Oristano's traffic-free main square, has been tastefully converted into a small but stylish guest house, with rich furnishings, chandeliers, antique murals, and domed ceilings. There are quirky touches, too—one room, for example, has a spiral staircase leading to a modern bathroom, another is octagonal and has a painted ceiling and views of the statue of Eleanor of Arborea in the piazza below. Vouchers are provided for breakfast at a nearby bar. The hostess is friendly and attentive.

On the shore boulevard opposite the Villa Las Tronas and 15 minutes from the airport, this grand, modern hotel (pronounced "Carlos Quinto") has an array of gardens and terraces, as well as a saltwater pool with sea views and a separate children's pool. The spa and wellness center offer a range of treatments, and there's a fully equipped gym and a tennis court.  Don't settle for a slightly cheaper room facing the back; the pleasure is all in the magnificent vistas from your spacious balcony.