Grande Baia Resort & SPA

Resort Grande Baia is sophisticated and Sardinian, with architecture that fits seamlessly along the rocky Mediterranean landscape. The property's low buildings stretch down winding pathways shaded by carefully tended trees, vines, and flowers. Rooms and common spaces have been set up by famed Italian architect and designer Lorenzo Bellini and reflect an elegant, modern luxe vision. The spa has low ceilings that arc and wave, bringing the feeling of the sea inside.

The buffet restaurant, Il Maestrale, is decorated in whitewashed wood and white furniture with turquoise upholstery that seems to blend right into the blue sea and sky outside the picture windows, making the room feel endless. The a la carte restaurant, Il Libeccio, is softly lit and designed in reds and whites, with black-and-white photographs of the Sardinian landscape on the walls and a lovely terrace for alfresco dining. The bars are similarly chic, especially the Sky Bar, one story up under a wooden pavilion, with comfortable, elegant white couches and chairs and transparent half-walls for unobstructed panoramas.

Maximum luxury with a minimum of clutter, both physical and psychological, is the vibe of this sprawling, stress-free outpost.

Resort Grande Baia is more than 12 miles from the Olbia airport, with a view of the island of Tavolara. The property is close to the village of San Teodoro by car, but there are no restaurants, bars, or businesses in the immediate area. There’s a small private beach a short walk from the hotel, but the more popular (and beautiful) Sardinian beaches are up to a 10-minute drive away. The resort runs a free beach shuttle, but for guests who want to explore more of the area, a rental car is an absolute must. The Grande Baia offers free parking.

Rooms at the Grande Baia are airy and spacious. Most are at ground level, with adorable, private patios laced with climbing vines; some suites also have charming roof decks. Super clean and bright, the decor is Mediterranean, with whitewashed wood furniture and sophisticated blue-and-white striped textiles with splashes of bright red. The furniture is architecturally unique, with interesting shapes that depart from "generic hotel" fare. Marble bathrooms are gorgeous, with large walk-in showers, rainfall showerheads and, in higher category rooms, deep soaking tubs. Residences have kitchenettes with three-burner gas stoves, stainless steel dishwashers, cookware, and matching sets of china and utensils.

The Grande Baia’s pool is large with ample sunbeds, stylish beach umbrellas, and a sophisticatedly casual pool bar that serves antipasti, sandwiches, coffee, juice, and gelato. The hotel's lounge bar offers aperitifs and live music in the evenings. The buffet restaurant, Il Maestrale, has a large terrace for outdoor dining, while Il Libeccio offers romantic fine dining a la carte. The candlelit spa is a destination, with a full array of beauty treatments and bodywork, and the fitness center is decently sized and sunny.