Best Beach Resorts in Sardinia

The adult-only La Villa del Re is located in a quiet area along the Sardinian coastline of Italy, about a six-minute drive south of Costa Rei. The hotel's white-sand beach is private, with calm surf and rows of cabanas and comfortable loungers just feet from the ocean. Above the beach is the hotel’s stunning infinity pool surrounded by a chic deck and serviced by a pool bar that offers a light lunch and cold snacks and drinks to those lounging by the water. The location is geared towards travelers who want a gorgeous beach property where they can spend the bulk of their time, as there are only a few bars or restaurants that can be reached by foot. (The hotel provides a Mediterranean restaurant and pool bar.)

L’ea Bianca Luxury Resort is a secluded luxury property a 15-minute drive from Porto Cervo. Most notable is the hotel's direct access to a private cove beach with rich red sand and loungers under umbrellas. The beach is reached by following a path that runs alongside a grove of mature trees, bookended by rocky crags on one side and a lagoon which is home to rare sea birds on the other. Closer to the hotel is the large outdoor swimming pool set in an attractive terrace amid the lushly green grounds. A rooftop solarium with panoramic sea views is also on-site. The 31 elegant rooms are spacious and bright; they come with bathrobes, minibars, and terraces overlooking the sea. Five private villas have traditional, rustic furnishings, kitchens, and at least two bedrooms.

Hotel Pitrizza is one of the few beachfront properties in this part of Sardinia -- the famous Costa Smeralda -- one of Italy's most iconic and exclusive destinations. Porto Cervo -- with its posh restaurants and shops -- is a 10-minute drive away, while several beaches -- including Romazzino and Tanca Manna -- are within a half-hour drive. The unpretentious, tranquil hotel combines rustic style with contemporary design features to create a truly luxurious experience. Carved from wind-sculpted rocks of Gallura, the gorgeous saltwater infinity pool is the gem of the hotel, with fantastic bay views, and poolside snacks and drinks. Large rocks and shrubs are sprinkled throughout the exceptional beach, with wooden lounge chairs resting under palapa-style parasols.

The top luxury resort in Chia, Hotel Laguna is a stylish and elegant hotel within walking distance to a private beach area. (There’s a free and frequent shuttle that travels around the grounds and down to the beaches if you don't feel like walking.)  Hotel Laguna is ideal for those who not only want to have VIP access to the beach but also have an array of features and activities at their disposal such as a spa with Turkish bath, gym, night scuba diving, horse trekking, and sailing. Stays are half-board, with breakfast and dinner covered. Le Dune Restaurant at the beach serves seafood as well as casual fare such as pizzas, and Luna Restaurant is a gourmet Mediterranean option. Nightlife consists of bars, shows, and dancing. Homey, sophisticated rooms all have at least partial sea views.

The upper-middle-range Hotel Dei Pini is located on one of Alghero’s most pristine beaches, Bombarde Beach. Part of Porto Conte Regional Park (a nature reserve), the hotel is surrounded by pine trees and is great for nature-related and family-friendly activities. The beautiful, private white-sand beach is the hotel's most appealing feature: it has free loungers and umbrellas, as well as a beachside bar surrounded by well-manicured lawn and gardens. The hotel restaurant, pretty outdoor pool, and sea-facing rooms all offer stunning panoramic views. The 100 rooms are simply decorated and have minibars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and terraces or balconies with sea or garden views.

Hotel Cala Cuncheddi is a stylish, seasonal boutique hotel situated on a quiet beach, in a secluded location outside of Olbia. The property's 74 airy guest rooms have smart, design-forward decor and a serene vibe. All have private balconies and attractive, high-end furniture, and are equipped with flat-screen TVs and minibars. Sleek marble bathrooms have walk-in showers or soaking tubs, plus Bvlgari bath products. Direct beach access and an inviting outdoor pool that faces the water are among top features. There's also an on-site restaurant with free breakfast, and a posh spa with a small fitness room. The hotel's distance from Olbia's restaurants and shops is a drawback.

Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna is a Mediterranean-inspired chain hotel with lovely grounds and direct access to a sandy beach with  pillow-like loungers and cabanas. The family-friendly hotel is close to other beaches, as well, and is about a 10-minute drive from Villasimius (the hotel provides a free shuttle). The 275 rooms vary between dated and modern with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning, though there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities.

The 256-room Resort Grande Baia is an elegant luxury resort located on 197 acres of lawns, beaches, and small bays in the marine-protected area of Tavolara. In addition to the wild Sardinian landscape, the resort has a large spa with 10 treatment rooms (three alfresco), thalassotherapy pools, and light-filled rooms, suites, and apartments. 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.

Located in the province of Olbia-Tempio in northeast Sardinia, the artsy, 49-room Hotel La Coluccia is surrounded by lush countryside, beautiful beaches, and historic archeological sites. The upper-middle-range boutique hotel has a pretty sandy beach with ample loungers and thatched umbrellas. It also has a hut where guests can rent equipment such as kayaks and speedboats. A swimming pool looks out over the sea and has cushioned loungers and umbrellas, as well as a chic, covered poolside bar with plenty of places to sit and take in the views. The large lawn also comes equipped with hammocks.  The location is pretty remote and best for those looking for a quiet, idyllic setting away from the action of a city.

Located on the southeast coast of Sardinia, Spiagge San Pietro is in Costa Rey in St. Peter’s Marina, with a beach fewer than 400 yards away. The beach has white lounge chairs and umbrellas, but there is a fee for beach towel rentals. Diving excursions, windsurfing, and water-skiing can all be arranged for a fee, and Le Spiagge di San Pietro's entertainment staff organizes games at the beach and at the pool. Villasimius, well-known for its sandy white beaches and clear blue water, is a short drive away.

As the name would suggest, Eden Village Colostrai is set up like a small community: the hotel has beautiful grounds with manicured lawns, stone walkways, and vine-covered arches. Its beach has lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a bar, as well as canoe rentals, windsurfing equipment, and organized raft trips available for a fee. Unfortunately, beach towels are not provided and there is a fee to access the beach chairs. Located on the southeast coast of Sardinia, the hotel is a bit isolated, but its setting in a nature area provides wildlife sightings, as well as ocean and mountain views.

For those who love beautiful beaches, Hotel Club Baia del Porto on the northeast coast is close to several. It’s about a five-minute walk to its own beach and a 10-minute walk to the marina of Porto Ottiolu, a tourist center with a white-sand beach and outdoor activities. Baia del Porto's beach and pool are its two most stunning features. The hotel's gorgeous sandy beach with free lounge chairs and umbrellas is reached through a scenic footpath lined with greenery. The large freeform outdoor pool also has chairs for sunbathing, along with plenty of modern chairs and couches set up in a poolside lounge area.  There is a casual elegance to the hotel, thanks to its classic Sardinian style, although rooms are quite simple. They do come with mini-fridges, small flat-screen TVs, and furnished outdoor spaces.

The 91-room Hotel Punta Negra has a beautiful beachside location a 15-minute drive from Alghero. It's surrounded by a peaceful pine forest, and the hotel is perfectly positioned to take in amazing views of the sea. All rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or terraces -- some offer spectacular sea views. Two outdoor pools and a whirlpool also offer beautiful views of the sea, and lounge chairs and umbrellas encourage relaxing poolside. The beach can get crowded in the high season and many guests have complained of the smell of decaying algae and seaweed that can, at times, be overpowering. There's also a tennis court on-site, and staff can arrange outdoor activities such as diving, trekking, horseback riding, and sailing.