Best Honeymoon Resorts in Sardinia

Surrounded by lovely garden grounds, the 24-room Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa resembles a wealthy noble's manor house more than a hotel. Originally built in 1880 as the hunting lodge of an Italian Count, the building was renovated in the 1920s by another wealthy aristocrat to (somewhat) resemble a medieval castle. The entire property sits on a promontory, where narrow boardwalks forge paths through quiet, wooded groves, and manicured lawns. Inside the decadent building, original antique furniture and a posh atmosphere have attracted famous guests like Samuel Beckett, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton. The lobby and common areas are filled with oil paintings, rich tapestries, and statues, setting a romantic seaside vibe that attracts couples for fairytale getaways. Big cons include the fact that the hotel is not on the beach and not all rooms have sea views.

Unlike Villa Las Tronas, L’ea Bianca Luxury Resort has a private beach, which set in a secluded cove with rich red sand and features loungers under umbrellas. The secluded and elegant hotel with vast, lush grounds and 31 spacious, bright rooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, bathrobes, and furnished terraces with views over Baja Sardinia. They're decorated in neutral tones, with parquet stone flooring and a mix of wood and sleek black furniture. Bathrooms in Deluxe and Superior Rooms either have a rainfall shower or a bathtub with hydrotherapy jets and a shower. 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. L’ea Bianca has a spa which offers beauty and wellness treatments, as well as the use of a sauna and hydrotherapy pool. The menu at the on-site restaurant consists of Mediterranean and international cuisine, and the food receives positive reviews.

Hotel La Villa del Re combines the stately interiors of Villa Las Tronas with the private beachside location of L’ea Bianca. The adult-only hotel's guest rooms are all elegant, pretty, and airy, thanks to an almost all-white decor and nice touches like fresh flowers and welcome cookies, bottled water, and Mirto (a Sardinian liqueur). Many rooms offer sea views, some from furnished balconies or patios. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, Champagne minibars, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, but all lack coffee- and tea-making facilities, a surprising oversight for a luxury property. Room service is available. Though Hotel La Villa del Re is a luxury hotel, it misses a note or two: there’s no spa or gym for guests to use (our first two picks feature both). Le Villa del Re does have direct access to a white sandy private beach filled with 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. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Palme, has an elegant interior dining room and seating on a covered patio. It offers a free American breakfast each morning, as well as Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner.

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 Bulgari 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.

The 65-room Hotel Pitrizza is a beachside luxury hotel in northern Sardinia, just a 10-minute drive from Porto Cervo. Like Cala Cuncheddi, rooms feature outdoor space and marble bathrooms. Some rooms have exceptional bay views, private pools, and hot tubs. Popular features include a carved-rock infinity pool and the acclaimed Restaurant Pitrizza and Bar Pitrizza, both of which attract locals and tourists. Note that this hotel is only open from May to September and room rates are high. Full-board options are available.

With one of the nicest beaches in Alghero directly outside the hotel, and a pine forest surrounding the property, the upper-middle-range Hotel Dei Pini in Fertilia is a quiet spot to enjoy beautiful scenery and spend time in the sea. The hotel restaurant, pretty outdoor pool, and sea-facing rooms all offer stunning panoramic views. The 100 rooms are simply decorated -- they're nowhere near as luxe as the rooms at our first five picks -- and have minibars, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and terraces or balconies with sea or garden views. The hotel is a bit removed from tourist spots, but a limited free shuttle takes guests downtown in 20 minutes during high season.

Airone Hotel is a sprawling four-pearl property set on the Gulf of Arzachena. Low-rise, Mediterranean-style buildings with terra-cotta rooftops house its 70 rooms -- which could be fussy and tired to some and quaint and traditional to others. All have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, but balconies and patios are only found in higher categories. There's a public beach within walking distance, and the hotel runs a free shuttle to a private beach about a mile away, and to Baia Sardinia. Guests can also swim and sunbathe around the resort's lovely pool. Breakfast is included at the buffet restaurant, and there are on-site activities such as biking and tennis, but no gym.

Hotel Costa dei Fiori is intimate hotel set among fragrant gardens on Sardinia's south coast hotel. Accessed by an unpaved road off the main highway, the 82-room property rewards intrepid travelers with blooming gardens, large rooms with rustic style and modern bathrooms, and a gorgeous infinity pool with panoramic sea views. Guests praise the fresh croissants, jams, and honey served at the breakfast buffet, which is included in the room rates, and the pricey gourmet restaurant serves local wines and Sardinian specialties. There are limited dining options within walking distance of the hotel, and venturing off-site can be challenging without a rental car. Wi-Fi is also limited and weak.

Quirky and charming are two adjectives that spring to mind when describing Su Gologone, but both underplay the hotel's eccentricity and allure. Nestled at the tranquil foot of the Supramonte hills, surrounded by forests, the hotel might look like a quiet country retreat, but it is awash with a riot of color from countless works of art created by local artisans, who host on-site workshops and offer classes. The 68 classically Sardinian rooms are similarly adorned with art, as well as embroidered linens, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Suites add high-end amenities like jetted bathtubs or private terraces with hot tubs. Additionally, there are a spa and gym, a large outdoor pool, and free buffet breakfast served in one of two eateries. However, some past guests have complained about visible wear, chaotic dining experiences, and the remoteness of the location.

Families do come to the three-pearl Hotel Club Baia del Porto, but nonetheless, the hotel maintains a quiet and relaxing atmosphere that's great for couples. The hotel has 77 rooms and 12 stand-alone cottages, all with furnished balconies or patios. Across the board, rooms have a simple Sardinian style consisting of off-white walls, terra-cotta tile, light-wood furniture, wrought-iron accents, and cream linens with pale-green or peach embroidered patterns. Rooms have either garden or pool views, and some with distant sea views. The gorgeous sandy beach has free lounge chairs and umbrellas; it's a five-minute walk from the hotel via 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. Meals are also a highlight; the on-site buffet restaurant serves fresh, local dishes and all rates include breakfast. Baia del Porto lacks the spa, gym -- and style -- of Su Gologone, but its piano bar is a hit.

A five-minute walk from the beach, Villa Margherita on Golfo Aranci’s marina is an upper-middle-range, 44-room hotel with verdant gardens and serene, airy interiors. Though it has a homey vibe, the on-site features go beyond simple comforts: there are an outdoor pool and hot tub, a spa with massages and a sauna, and a small gym. All rates include a hot and cold buffet breakfast, and The Grill restaurant serves regional cuisine with a focus on seafood. Some rooms here aren't as contemporary as others, but all have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes, while spa rooms add private outdoor whirlpools.

Set on a peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Capo Caccia, the upper-middle-range El Faro Hotel offers plenty of privacy for couples. Its 85 stylish, modern rooms have furnished balconies, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, but they lack free Wi-Fi. The spa offers a range of treatments and a sauna, plus there is a pool overlooking the water. There's no real beach, instead just a rocky coastline, but it's suitable for snorkeling, and there are loungers strategically placed around the property for secluded sunbathing. Dining includes an elegant restaurant and poolside eatery, and all rates include a buffet breakfast.

This small, intimate bed-and-breakfast-style hotel set on a dirt road about a little more than a half mile outside Villasimius has only eight rooms. Visitors rave about the personal treatment and lovely bucolic grounds surrounded by olive and lemon trees. Breakfast is included in the room price, and receives high marks from guests who praise the use of local food. A car is needed to explore the area; the town of Villasimius is not within close walking distance (especially at night) and S'Arenada lacks the easy sea access of Villa Margherita and El Faro.

With the feel of a small village and sweeping views looking out over the Emerald Coast, Hotel Relais Villa del Golfo & Spa lives up to its branding as an upscale property. Ideal for couples, the hotel's 59 rooms and suites feel romantically Sardinian, with traditional architectural touches being highlights of the rooms. Their bathrooms (especially the showers) are a little on the small side. Free shuttles take guests to and from local beaches; a yacht is available to charter for the day; and there are a beautiful pool and wellness center. The on-site Miraluna restaurant is truly excellent, and it serves a raved-about breakfast for free.

Balocco Hotel is a four-pearl hotel situated on the outskirts of Porto Cervo, in the Costa Smeralda. Its remote hilltop location gives the hotel a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful panoramic views, though it's a 15-minute walk to the beach. Classic Sardinian architecture and decor create a relaxed, elegant atmosphere, and the picturesque outdoor pool, with its peaceful low-key vibe, is great for unwinding. The 41 rooms have a similar feel and all have marble bathrooms, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have balconies with beautiful sea views, and there's a good handful of outdoor lounge and dining spaces throughout the hotel -- all with gorgeous Porto Cervo views. Two big downside are that the restaurant does not serve dinner and the walk to the beach takes about 15 minutes.

The upscale Hotel La Rocca Resort and Spa is a lovely, secluded property with a gorgeous private beach either a 15-minute walk away, or a brief ride on a free shuttle bus. Quality features include two restaurants -- one in the main building serving a buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner, and another at the beach. The 55 spacious rooms are charmingly traditional, with views of either the ocean or verdant grounds, as well as flat-screen TVs, minibars, bathrobes, and air-conditioning. Some rooms only have tiny showers, though. Suites in the private Villa del Parco have their own pool. The outdoor pool is pleasant and the spa is expansive, but the little outdoor gym is a letdown.

The upscale Hotel Abi d'Oru opened back in 1962 and immediately wows guests with its panoramic lobby terrace and easy private beach access. Though the 170 rooms range from quaint and old-fashioned (which some travelers may find dated) to chic and modern, all come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and balconies with varying views. Quality features consist of three bars, four restaurants, an expansive wellness spa, and large outdoor pool area. Sports courts and a kids' club bring in some families, while couples gravitate toward the privacy and views.