The iconic Hotel Cala di Volpe, nestled on the idyllic ‘Costa Smeralda’ (the Emerald Coast) in north-eastern Sardinia, reopened recently, just in time for the Summer holiday season. This Marriott International’s ‘The Luxury Collection’ property offers a host of destination-focused activities on land and sea.
An icon of the island, Hotel Cala di Volpe was the very first hotel built within the destination. It has been a favourite of the international jetsetters for the past 60 years. Most notably, it was a key location in ‘The Spy Who Loved Me,’ the 1977 James Bond movie starring Roger Moore and Barbara Bach.
Lapped by sapphire waters, this timeless hotel with its indigenous-inspired architecture offers a unique combination of distinctive design, glamorous atmosphere, luscious dining and a range of activities for all ages and tastes.
With several daily flights arriving from Milan and Rome at the Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, the hotel’s location is fairly accessible. In addition, there are twice weekly direct flights from Dubai International Airport from June to August, catering to travellers from the GCC region seeking to indulge in the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle.
Ever since its founding back in the 1960s, Costa Smeralda has been synonymous with glamour, attracting countless celebrities and royals, drawn to the coast by its charming rugged natural beauty and vibrant lifestyle. This unique destination is the perfect setting to switch off and delight in the Sardinian ‘dolce vita.’ The locality boasts luxury boutiques, superyachts and a distinctive architectural style that seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape.
Hotel Cala di Volpe offers 121 guest rooms with private terraces. Each celebrates the region’s natural beauty and human artistry. Simple whitewashed walls are complemented by accents of soft pastel colours that echo the landscape’s spring and summer palette. Handcrafted furniture is painted to match each room’s singular theme, while the walls are decorated with whimsical trompe l’oeil paintings, each unique. The floors and the bathrooms have vibrant ceramic tile work.
The crown in the hotel’s array of accommodations is the Harrods Suite, regarded among the most luxurious suites in the world. Developed in collaboration with the Harrods Interior Design team, it is a beautiful one-of-a-kind space that exemplifies the hotel’s rustic luxury.
This penthouse boasts three separate suites, each complete with en suite bathrooms, multiple living spaces, a secure vaulted wine cellar, a cigar humidor, an impressive marble cocktail bar with high stools, and the latest in entertainment technology. On the private roof terrace, there is a raised infinity pool with an integrated bar, a sunbathing deck and an alfresco dining area.
The hotel’s award-winning Shiseido Spa invites guests to unwind while discovering Japanese savoir-faire. A leader in health and beauty solutions since 1872, Shiseido’s approach takes a holistic perspective, offering treatments and products blending scents and textures, as well as traditions and philosophies from Eastern and Western science and technology.
Guests can access a range of signature treatments including unique Spa Journeys, featuring the use of Kuroho, an exquisite fragrance treasured by Japanese aristocracy in the 9th century, which provides soothing effects thanks to its traditional bouquet reflecting the idea of Japanese richness.
The hotel has exceptional restaurants and bars situated in beautiful spots across the hotel, guests have a bounty of cosmopolitan dining options. Matsuhisa serves Japanese Nobu-style cuisine, while sumptuous Sardinian and Mediterranean buffets await at Cala di Volpe Barbeque. The award-winning Le Grand invites guests to indulge in fine dining experiences, engulfed in the restaurant’s timeless allure.
The culinary journey extends with a delightful array of choices: from an aperitif with a ravishing view on the extensive terrace of The Atrium to international classics and the traditional flavours of Sardinian cuisine at the panoramic Ai Due Mari, situated at the nearby Pevero Golf Club.
The hotel’s Pevero Golf Club, designed by acclaimed Robert Trent Jones in 1972, is located only a short drive from the hotel. Engulfed between the Pevero and Cala di Volpe bays, the 6107 meters long, 18-hole course, par 73, is surrounded by a wind-swept landscape of eroded rock formations, natural lakes, and the enchanting fragrance of juniper.
The golf club has partnered with Open Champion Golfer and Ryder Cup star, Francesco Molinari to develop an academy. With this addition, the club has also joined an elite group of courses around the globe in becoming an IMG Prestige venue. The IMG Prestige portfolio includes some of the highest-profile courses in the sport, from Open Championship sites to Ryder Cup host venues, as well as some of the most familiar names from both the PGA and DP World Tours.
For Tennis and padel enthusiasts, guests of the hotel can avail the world-class Mouratoglou Tennis Center Sardinia, opened in partnership with French tennis coach and sports commentator, Patrick Mouratoglou – the former coach of professional players such as Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Stefanos Tsitsipas or Holger Rune. The centre comprises four tennis courts and two padel courts and offers a variety of tailor-made programs, including private lessons, group lessons, kid’s programs, and social activities, for all levels and ages.
For children, from 3 to 12 years, there is the La Volpe Kids Club. Inspired by its fox mascot, Valentino, this playground has been conceived as his den with tunnels and hiding places where children can run, climb, swing, slide and let their imagination run free, under the supervision of a multilingual staff. Young footballers aged between 5 and 16 can join the Juventus Resort Experience and discover the secrets of the sport through training sessions led by the staff of Italy’s most successful club.
The hotel’s Olympic-sized saltwater pool – one of the largest of its kind in Europe – is tucked away between the lush gardens and the shore. Fully equipped with comfortable sunbeds and stylish umbrellas, adults can indulge in a selection of fresh drinks and delicious bites, while the little ones enjoy the two smaller pools.
Beyond the pool, guests can partake in a plethora of watersport activities, or enjoy the hotel’s private sandy beach, fully equipped and serviced, conveniently reachable via the hotel’s shuttle-boat in just 4 minutes. Guests can also explore Costa Smeralda on board an elegant Riva Yacht, as part of a luxury charter experience at sea led by a licensed captain. Popular destinations include La Maddalena Archipelago Natural Park and the hidden coves of marine grottoes.
For those wishing to reconnect with nature, The Pevero Health Trail offers both intense and relaxing paths that are ideal for hikers, runners or mountain bikers, as well as families. The trail, which has an overall length of 13 km, includes eleven fitness stations, each named after typical plants from the area and equipped with benches and exercise equipment. The numerous paths are punctuated with natural and historical points of interest, offering a unique chance to dive into the region’s rich heritage, while soaking in the aromatic Mediterranean macchia.
For those wishing to experience the extraordinary, the resort’s concierge team is available to design bespoke experiences, from a helicopter tour to a boat excursion, a shopping session at the designer boutiques, or a visit to the artist’s village of San Pantaleo. There are guided tours in the hinterland to discover local wineries and gastronomic cuisine, or one can visit the famous Nuragic complexes and prominent archaeological sites.
Hotel Cala di Volpe, as we have seen, is so much more than an icon of the island of Sardinia, it offers the rare combination of exceptional luxury, an idyllic setting and a seemingly endless array of destination-specific experiences.
