Is it possible to find beach hotels in Sardinia that ARE NOT big resorts?
Feb 18th, 2004, 03:12 AM
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Is it possible to find beach hotels in Sardinia that ARE NOT big resorts?
I am looking for accomodations outside Cagliari, outside Alghero and in the Porto Conte-Santa Teresa Gallura (basically anywhere on the northeast corner) that are on beaches, but are not large resorts. I can't convice myself that I will feel like that I am in Italy if I stay in one of these places. But, I want to stay in the 100 Euro per person price range. Do these places exist that will still "feel" Sardinian?
Feb 18th, 2004, 04:17 AM
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Surprisingly there aren't too many big resorts in Sardinia (at least in the alghero area). Are you using ryanair? Anyways check ryanair's website they have some hotel information on the hotels page. We stayed at the green sporting club. Absolutely terrible. Don't go there. I will recommend the hotel Villa de las Tronas in Alghero. Very beautiful and authentic however it may be outside your price range.
Feb 18th, 2004, 04:40 AM
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It just seems to me that every hotel's website that I look at shows the accomodations as being part of a resort. I don't want to be locked into half board, like a lot of these places require in August. I more interested in places like Pensione Svizzera in Taormina, or Hotel Gutkowski in Ortygia. Small, moderately priced and charming.
Feb 18th, 2004, 05:13 AM
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I looked at this post and thought maybe at first it was one I had posted a couple of years ago. You echo my sentiments exactly when we went to Sardinia (and also Corsica) in 2002. And being from Florida, I really didn't care about being on the beaches either.
We did a few compromises and spent a lot of time finding places to book, and in the end were very happy.
We had a car. We spent three nights in La Maddalena, perhaps our favorite spot in Sardinia. We stayed at the rather delightful little Hotel Garibaldi in town. Then we went to Alghero for three nights staying at the Hotel Catalunya -- not exactly small and charming, but a very nice hotel with a big balcony looking out to the harbor. Finally we spent two nights in Cagliari, again at a large, city hotel -- Regina Margherita as we wanted to be in town.
I realize these aren't "beach" hotels and apparently that's what you are looking for. Yes, those do tend more to be resorts. But there are others.
I spent hours googling and going through websites including one that was from the Sardinia Tourist board and lists all hotels in Sardinia -- but many didn't have websites. Also just checking out everything that came up on Google that looked like it was something I could pursue.
We did a few compromises and spent a lot of time finding places to book, and in the end were very happy.
We had a car. We spent three nights in La Maddalena, perhaps our favorite spot in Sardinia. We stayed at the rather delightful little Hotel Garibaldi in town. Then we went to Alghero for three nights staying at the Hotel Catalunya -- not exactly small and charming, but a very nice hotel with a big balcony looking out to the harbor. Finally we spent two nights in Cagliari, again at a large, city hotel -- Regina Margherita as we wanted to be in town.
I realize these aren't "beach" hotels and apparently that's what you are looking for. Yes, those do tend more to be resorts. But there are others.
I spent hours googling and going through websites including one that was from the Sardinia Tourist board and lists all hotels in Sardinia -- but many didn't have websites. Also just checking out everything that came up on Google that looked like it was something I could pursue.
Feb 18th, 2004, 05:57 AM
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Patrick, I have read your report on Sardinia and am considering staying on La Maddalena. My main interests in staying in the northeastern corner is a day trip to Bonifacio and a day trip to La Maddalena. So maybe staying there makes sense. Although I googled a bit this am and found http://www.hotelcapriccioli.it/eng/index.htm in Porto Conte (I think) and this looks to be a possibility. I also found http://www.sugologone.it, in Oliena. It's not on a beach, but it looks very charming. I'll keep on googling....
Feb 18th, 2004, 06:51 AM
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AP: I'm not sure what you mean by "large resort". On Sardinia, there are really very few "large resorts", at least by American standards. I would place in this category the Forte Village in Santa Margherita di Pula, the Grand Hotel Chia Laguna a few miles south, and the TCI tourist village on La Maddalena.
I personally don't consider any of the resort-type hotels in the Porto Conte area northwest of Alghero to be "large resorts", but perhaps you are looking for somethings even more intimate?
In and near Alghero, the Villa Las Tronas might be a good fit, but it exceeds your budget by about 25%. The advantage is that it does NOT require half board. The Hotel Catalunya IS in your price range, and would be a very decent choice, but it's neither charming nor intimate. Have you checked out the Hotel Porte Conte and the Hotel Punta Negra (both require half board in August)?
In the Santa Margherita di Pula area, there are a couple of smaller resort hotels, some of which are outside of your price range. I'm thinking of the Hotel Ifis, Nora Club Hotel (bed and breakfast only), and Hotel Baia di Nora, all near the ruins of Nora.
The Flamingo/MarePineta at Santa Margherita di Pula might also be acceptable, although I've read a few negative reviews.
On the Costa Rei, the Sant'Elmo Beach Hotel is supposed to be very good, although again it's pricey, and requires half board.
You can't really look to the Pensione Svizzera and the Hotel Gutkowski as models for Sardinia. The vast majority of hotels on Sardinia were opened after 1965, and many are newer construction. There is no city on Sardinia comparable to Taormina or Siracusa. The best you'll find are a few smaller properties like the ones cited by Patrick on La Maddalena.
One web site which you might find useful is www.planisfero.com
It describes many resorts on Sardinia, some of which are not too large.
P.S. The Hotel Su Gologone near Oliena has an excellent reputation and is considered quite "authentic"
I personally don't consider any of the resort-type hotels in the Porto Conte area northwest of Alghero to be "large resorts", but perhaps you are looking for somethings even more intimate?
In and near Alghero, the Villa Las Tronas might be a good fit, but it exceeds your budget by about 25%. The advantage is that it does NOT require half board. The Hotel Catalunya IS in your price range, and would be a very decent choice, but it's neither charming nor intimate. Have you checked out the Hotel Porte Conte and the Hotel Punta Negra (both require half board in August)?
In the Santa Margherita di Pula area, there are a couple of smaller resort hotels, some of which are outside of your price range. I'm thinking of the Hotel Ifis, Nora Club Hotel (bed and breakfast only), and Hotel Baia di Nora, all near the ruins of Nora.
The Flamingo/MarePineta at Santa Margherita di Pula might also be acceptable, although I've read a few negative reviews.
On the Costa Rei, the Sant'Elmo Beach Hotel is supposed to be very good, although again it's pricey, and requires half board.
You can't really look to the Pensione Svizzera and the Hotel Gutkowski as models for Sardinia. The vast majority of hotels on Sardinia were opened after 1965, and many are newer construction. There is no city on Sardinia comparable to Taormina or Siracusa. The best you'll find are a few smaller properties like the ones cited by Patrick on La Maddalena.
One web site which you might find useful is www.planisfero.com
It describes many resorts on Sardinia, some of which are not too large.
P.S. The Hotel Su Gologone near Oliena has an excellent reputation and is considered quite "authentic"
Feb 18th, 2004, 07:29 AM
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The Hotel Sant'Efis in Nora is right on the beach, has 42 rooms, and is 300 Euros half board for two in August. It is 45 minutes south of Cagliari, and there is frequent bus service to Pula which is 2 kilometers from the hotel. Nearby are the Roman ruins of Nora, a very picturesque site. www.planisfero.com
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Feb 18th, 2004, 09:06 AM
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Thank you GAC for all your suggestions. I guess what I meant are hotels that aren't resorts at all- just free-standing, somewhat authentic accomodations on or having a view of the sea.
That website you gave is great, hadn't some across that one yet.
That website you gave is great, hadn't some across that one yet.
Feb 18th, 2004, 03:13 PM
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I recall seeing a quoted maximum rate (for 2002)of 140 Euros for two people, bed and breakfast. It may be a bit higher for 2004. Bear in mind that this hotel is near, but not within site of, the beach.
Feb 18th, 2004, 09:05 PM
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I second the Hotel Riviera in Castelsardo. You'll be in a little, charming, Italian town with wonderful views and a nice little beach across the street. You can't beat the food at the restaurant Fofo while staying at the Riviera.
Feb 19th, 2004, 08:35 AM
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AP: if you're looking for an intimate, bed and breakfast-type hotel in Alghero, you can't do any better than the two star Hotel San Francesco, the only property in the Old Town. Twenty rooms converted from the cells of Franciscan monks surrounding the cloister of the Church of San Francesco. Double room in August is 90 Euros (for two), including breakfast. Rooms have private facilities, telephone (no TV), and just added air conditioning (an absolute necessity). I have visited the hotel (but did not stay overnight), and can recommend it. It's a great place to stay in Alghero, and you can take the bus to the nearby beaches.
www.sanfrancescohotel.com
www.sanfrancescohotel.com
