Hotel Palau

The Hotel Palau mostly attracts couples looking for a quiet vacation, so families with children who need to be entertained constantly should consider looking elsewhere. Peach linoleum flooring, tan fax-leather banquettes topped with orange throw pillows, and billowy curtains give the lobby and adjacent bar an outdated appearance, though some may find the ornate wall murals of tropical birds and flowers charming. The restaurant, however, has a pretty outdoor terrace with views over Palau and down to the sea. Other attractive areas include a large freeform pool on a sunny patio, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Mediterranean and La Maddalena archipelago.

The hotel is located in a quiet, residential area of Palau, a 20-minute walk from the beach and the town’s port, which has regular ferries to and from the nearby island of La Maddalena. Alternatively, the hotel runs a regular free shuttle bus to the center of town. There's not a ton in the immediate vicinity, but a number of shops, bars, and restaurants can be found in Palau, as well as some nightlife. The nearest large town is Porto Cervo, a 33-minute drive away, housing a wide selection of high-end shops and restaurants. Expect a 45-minute transfer by car to Aeroporto di Olbia.

Rooms are small but bright, outfitted with traditional Sardinian furnishings that are quaint and homey. Though color schemes and actual decor varies a bit, most have white walls, simple light-wood furniture with painted accents, wood or mauve tile floors, and embroidered linens in pretty robin egg blue or cream. Furniture includes a small desk and chair, a long ottoman doubling as a sofa, and bedside tables, while Junior Suites are more cramped in their lounge spaces with a couch, armchair that folds out into a sofa bed, and desk. Another bed can be added to the room to sleep four. Bathrooms are compact and decorated with dated tiling or more-contemporary mosaic tiling. They are equipped with a small shower cubicle, a bidet, free basic toiletries, and a hairdryer. All rooms have a minibar, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Some have a furnished terrace, with varying views.

The Hotel Palau doesn’t offer much in the way of amenities, but the clear standout is the large freeform outdoor pool. It's set in a sunny terrace with a separate, shallower pool for kids, and surrounded by modern loungers and greenery. A rooftop terrace offers views out across the Mediterranean and over to the archipelago of La Maddalena. The hotel runs a free shuttle bus service to and from Palau’s harbor and beach throughout the day. A small spa has a menu of massage and wellness treatments, plus there are a sauna and tiny open-air gym with a few pieces of equipment but no free weights. A free buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, which in the evening serves an a la carte dinner. The restaurant has indoor seating, as well as a patio that overlooks the rooftops of Palau and the sea beyond. Drinks and light snacks are served in the bar. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.