Hotel Capo D'Orso Thalasso & Spa (Delphina Hotels) - Palau (OT)

Ever since Prince Karim Aga Khan IV acquired over 14 miles of Sardinian coastline in 1961, the Costa Smeralda has been a popular and very exclusive retreat for the rich and famous. Since the Aga Khan is that rare bird, a billionaire with an eco-friendly conscience, the coastline under his stewardship has always offered the visitor two very different experiences. On the one hand there are flotillas of diamond-studded mega-yachts replete with Russian playboys and their Susan Rosen-swimsuited handmaidens. On the other there are secluded woods, tranquil coves, bucolic backwaters, all reminiscent of a bygone classical arcadia, peopled by dryads and painted by Poussin. The secluded Hotel Capo d’Orso is an ideal base from which to contemplate both worlds.

Set in a private parkland of wild olive groves and juniper woods overlooking the Cala Capra Bay, the Capo d'Orso is cleverly designed to take advantage of and blend in with the natural features of the landscape. Its 84 rooms and suites, designed and furnished by local architects, are simple and stylish with pale-coloured walls, tiled floors and canopied beds. There is a choice of three restaurants: Il Paguro (the Hermit Crab) overlooks the sea and is bright and informal. Gli Olivastri (The Olives) is grand, romantically set among the ancient olive trees. L’Approdo (The Landing Stage) serves pizza cooked in traditional wood-fired ovens. Breakfast, accompanied by a harpist, is served on the terrace overlooking the sea. There is a Thalasso Centre and Spa with three multi-function seawater pools at different temperatures, 10 modern booths for Thalasso treatments, massages and beauty treatments, Turkish bath. There are boats available private marina for trips to the islands of the Archipelago, Costa Smeralda and Corse.

Local events: The Sardinia Cup regatta takes place in September. Polo matches are held seasonally between April and October at Gershan near Arzachena. There is a film festival in Tavolara and an annual vintage car rally.

Hotel Capo D'Orso Thallaso and SpaPalau - Località di Cala Capra - 07020
Manager: Mr Luca Cagliero