Forte Village Resort – Hotel Il Castello

Set within the larger 47-hectare Fort Village Resort, featuring lushly verdant grounds with groves of mature trees and three resident macaws, the Hotel Il Castello is a gorgeous luxury hotel. Packed with kid-friendly activities, swish spa facilities, and gourmet dining, the property attracts all types of guests, including families, couples, and business travelers. Interiors are done in an elegant Sardinian style with cream linens, white wood furniture, and pops of serene blue. Actually on-site of the property are an ocean-view pool and gourmet garden restaurant, but guests will have to walk a ways to reach the complex's other numerous facilities. The atmosphere here is quiet and upmarket, reflecting its high price. 

Guests staying at the Hotel Il Castello are unlikely to leave the boundaries of the Forte Village Resort. The hotel is a two-minute walk from a wide, sandy beach, while the resort is the size of a small town with its 21 restaurants, 14 bars, and shops ranging from mini-marts to luxury boutiques. For those who wish to stray farther, however, the nearest town is Pula, a 15-minute drive away, or 28 minutes on public transport. Meanwhile, the nearest sizable city is Cagliari, an hour’s drive away. Expect drives of between 50 and 60 minutes to and from Cagliari Elmas Airport.

Rooms are large and upscale, designed with an elegant take on traditional Sardinian style. Though specific decor varies, expect cream wood furniture and linens, white walls with embroidered tapestries, and wrought-iron touches. All units have furnished terraces, some of which have lovely sea views. Also standard are desks, armoires with safes, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Sleek, modern bathrooms have both tubs and separate rainfall showers, bidets, bathrobes, and free toiletries. Upgraded units have sunken lounge areas with sofas and more decorations. Suites are located on their own separate floors, and are accessed by a private elevator and a separate lobby. 

The Forte Village Resort offers its guests an almost impossibly wide array of activities and amenities to keep busy. Within Hotel Il Castello itself is an ocean-view pool surrounded by loungers under umbrellas. Just a couple minutes' walk is the pretty stretch of beach lined with more sunbeds. The gourmet eatery Cavalieri serves fine-dining Italian in a pleasant garden setting. All rates include a buffet breakfast served here. A whopping 21 restaurants are found throughout the resort, ranging from beachside pizzerias to gourmet eateries, including one from well-known chef Gordon Ramsay. 

Throughout the entire complex, guests will find more pools and an expansive spa offering outdoor thalassotherapy pools and indoor treatment rooms. Yoga sessions and a gym are also available. For additional activity, there are a go-kart course, basketball and tennis courts, several water sports, and a scuba diving center. As well as this, the hotel offers access to the nearby 27-hole Molas Golf Club. During high season, the resort runs a variety of sports academies for a fee. Children are amply catered for with an elaborately designed kids’ club located in a miniature model village that has its own pool and theater, a separate club for teenagers, and a children-only restaurant. 

Basic Wi-Fi is free, but guests will have to pay for faster speed.