I was lucky enough to be given the chance to spend a few days at the exceptional Baglioni Resort Sardinia. Though it's often overlooked, Sardinia is really easy to reach with direct flights from the UK. It also holds an aura of exclusivity, with many of its resorts and hotels focusing on quality rather than mass tourism. And, with a great location on the island, the Baglioni Resort Sardinia is a great option to consider, whether you're planning on a relaxing getaway or an activity-filled holiday. Below, I share my experiences of a short break in one of the Leading Hotels of the World.
We began by catching an afternoon flight to Olbia on the north-east coast of the island – the nearest airport to the resort – and within just under half an hour our transfer arrived to the hotel. The Baglioni holds an enviable location within an area of incredible natural beauty, among the Tavolara Marine Protected Area, overlooking one of the islands most beautiful beaches – Lu Impostu.
First things first, we were welcomed to the island and the resort with a lovely authentic Italian meal in their impressive Michelin-starred restaurant, the highlight being a very tasty risotto. This was followed by wine tasting at the nearby Teo d’Oro Estate in San Teodoro where we learnt about the history of wine making on the island as well as sampling the local produce. Back at the hotel, the spacious lounge areas are perfect for relaxing with a book in hand. I duly obliged, as the beautiful colours of the sunset painted the distant mountains in the backdrop. After a quick cocktail at the pool bar, we went for a lovely dinner. I would highly recommend the bruschetta – it was so impressive I had to order seconds!
Ruia Restaurant
The beauty of the resort certainly carries through to the elegantly styled rooms. I was lucky enough to stay in one of the welcoming Garden Family Suites. It was furnished in modern Mediterranean style and came with its own private garden with sun loungers and dining space. The bathroom was also impressive and featured a walk in shower with a bathtub. With 78 spacious rooms and suites throughout the hotel, there's plenty of options for both couples and families alike.
After a leisurely breakfast – where you can help yourself to the buffet or order eggs and crepes to the table – I headed straight for one of the elegant poolside cabanas. We had a quick run into the local Marina di Puntaldia to have a look around and admire the hotel’s boat which you can do excursions on. There's ample opportunity to enjoy diving, snorkelling, canoeing, kayaking and kite surfing and the boat trip can take you to many hidden beaches, coves and caves in the region.
Garden Family Suite
The next day it was time to head down to the beach – undeniably the resort's headliner. Normally it’s just about getting to the beach as quickly as possible, but here there's a beautiful raised walkway winding its way through a shallow lagoon with lots of stunning scenery to admire en-route. It's a short walk – maximum 5 minutes – but if you wish, the hotel also offer a complimentary buggy service which I used on the way back!
The beach is sandy throughout and you can walk bare foot right into the sea without hurting your feet. The good news is that even in the shoulder season the water remains lovely and warm, perfect for a swim. Though I was very sad to leave the beach, my luxurious spa appointment was more than enough to tempt me back to the resort. The on-site spa comes complete with a Finnish sauna, sensory showers and steam bath, as well as a range of soothing treatments such as massages, facials and rituals. I took advantage of a relaxing back and shoulder massage which was very enjoyable. With the resort mostly being focused on adults, they also offer couple massages on request.
Walkway to the beach