Photography: Hotel Capo d'Orso
Hotel Capo d'Orso
Reviewed by Joeri Van Overloop
Set the scene
Situated on the serene coastline of northern Sardinia, Hotel Capo d'Orso showcases surreal views of the Mediterranean, surrounded by a tranquil park of olive and juniper trees. As you walk through its premises, the perfectly manicured gardens come to life under the Sardinian sun, embodying the gorgeous confluence of the manmade and the natural.
Inside, the hotel savors a chic, marine-inspired aesthetic; a superb reflection of its coastal setting. The meticulously curated interior design hearkens to the Sardinian tradition, draped in soft pastel hues blended with the compelling blues and whites of the sea. Every nook and corner breathes in the essence of the island, radiating calmness and charm that is so characteristic of this Mediterranean paradise.
What can we expect in our room at Hotel Capo d'Orso
Standard rooms are anything but the norm, with plush furniture, indulgent comfort, and amazing views of the surrounding landscape greeting you at every turn. Exquisitely designed with the perfect blend of contemporary elegance and traditional Italian charm, the white-washed walls and wooden features create a warm atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. Moreover, every room is equipped with a spacious terrace that offers an unbeatable view of the archipelago, where the sea's azure blue meets the verdant hues of the island's flora.
For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, the deluxe suites come replete with refined interiors, private swimming pools, and undisturbed vistas of the Mediterranean Ocean. Luxurious bathrooms, lined with marble, feature whirlpool tubs that add a touch of decadence.
How about the food and drinks
Offer your palate an unforgettable experience with the hotel’s two premium restaurants: Gli Olivastri and Il Paguro. Gli Olivastri, doubled in the charm by ancient olive trees, pleases with its sophisticated and authentic Mediterranean dishes, cooked to perfection using local ingredients. With Chef Giancarlo's magic touch, each meal at Gli Olivastri becomes a unique experience filled with Sardinian flavors that leave you yearning for more.
Complement your divine meals with equally alluring drinks at Hotel Capo d'Orso. Whether you prefer savoring a refreshing cocktail by the poolside bar “Il Cormorano” or relishing a glass of the finest Sardinian wines in the tastefully furnished “l'Approdo Piano Bar", the hotel’s handpicked menu of beverages welcomes every guest. The hotel’s wine cellar is a charming lure for wine lovers, housing an impressive array of regional and national wines.
What about the service
The hotel staff is multilingual and highly equipped to provide personalized service, attending to your needs with a smile on their faces. Their efficiency ensures they seamlessly blend into the hotel’s ambience, hardly noticed yet always available at the snap of a finger.
The range of services offered at Hotel Capo d'Orso is just as impressive as the staff it employs. It's no secret that service at the establishment embraces genuine Italic hospitality, which translates into superior attention to detail, particularly in maintaining the pristine condition of the accommodation facilities, and in the swift and courteous room service. They also provide concierge services to help with reservations, rentals, and suggestions beneficial for an exquisite local and cultural experience.
What’s the neighbourhood scene like?
Around the vicinity, the charming tiny village of Palau lies under the radiant Mediterranean sun, offering lively town markets and a bustling marina filled with luxury yachts.
Just a short boat ride from the hotel, the enchanting Maddalena Archipelago awaits, where turquoise crystal-clear waters and hidden sandy inlets make a Mediterranean paradise. A myriad of hiking routes with breathtaking views can be explored nearby, and a golfer's dream comes true with the Pevero Golf Club, one of the most beautiful golfing venues found just a stone’s throw away.
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What’s the backstory of the hotel?
The resort was originally built as an aristocratic villa in the late 1800s, a marvel of architectural design of its time. It was meticulously designed to showcase the very best of Italian creativity and craftsmanship. Over the decades, the villa changed hands numerous times, with each owner adding their unique touch to the property, thereby enriching its history.
In the early 20th century, the villa was converted into a hotel and underwent extensive refurbishment and modernization, all the while preserving its vintage charm and original architectural elements. The conversion aimed at extending a hospitable abode for high society travelers seeking the exquisite taste of Italian luxury and an unspoiled connection with the natural beauty of Sardinia.
Price Range
The rates for this slice of paradise start from around 200 Euros for classic rooms during off-peak season, climbing to a range of 650 to 800 Euros for deluxe suites at high season. But trust us, the mesmerizing vistas of the Emerald Coast from your personal veranda are worth every penny spent.
Amenities & Facilities
The welcoming arms of the Capo d’Orso are not only signified in its service but also through its diversified amenities. You'll find elegantly decorated rooms, each optimizing luxury with modern comforts, including air conditioning, minibar and a private veranda — a little personal paradise with enchanting views. A hotel with such pristine views is a visual representation of 'la dolce vita' glued on photo albums and oft-visualized within the realms of imagination.
A well-equipped wellness center stands proud, offering a taste of tranquility through indulgent spa treatments, Turkish baths and a beauty center aimed at rejuvenating the guests. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy at the modern gym or take a dip in the saltwater swimming pool, while golf lovers have the luxury of Par 3 Pitch & Putt course.
How to get to the Capo d'Orso Hotel in Sardinia
If public transport is your thing, hop on the train from the airport to Palau station. From there, it's a scenic 15-minute taxi ride to the hotel. Remember, the journey is part of the experience, so buckle up, look out the window, and soak in the captivating vistas.
But if you’re in a hurry to kick-off your vacation, hail a taxi directly from the airport. It's an approximately 45-minute ride, but sit back, relax and let Sardinia's awe-inspiring panoramas sweep you off your feet. From picturesque coastal roads to rustic rural villages, every twist and turn paints a different picture. It's a mini showcase of Sardinia's multifaceted charm, perfectly packaged into your voyage to the sublime Hotel Capo d'Orso.
What Customers Have To Say
La posizione è da 5 stelle la spiaggia dell'hotel da 3 l'albergo da 4. I servizi da 4.
The good: The location is stunning, beautiful calm sea surrounds the hotel, the property is quite big but spread out in a way that makes it very peaceful. We walked on some of the coastal paths accessible from the hotel and found two completely deserted little beaches. Sunbathing on the wooden decks on the sea at the hotel was lovely. The service in the restaurants and bars was faultless and food was good, choice of three restaurants which kept things varied. Our check in was very friendly. We did a boat trip with the hotels partner company and this was really good value for what we got and saw the beautiful islands opposite the hotel.
The neutral: Some other reviews mention lots of wasps at breakfast, we did see the odd wasp but it didn’t spoil anything. I think the odd wasp is worth it to be in such a beautiful natural place. The breakfast food was just ok. The rooms are ok but perhaps not as impressively designed as some other 5* hotels. You do have to pay extra to go into the salt water spa pools. We did this and I would say it is worth the extra 30euro. We had the place to ourselves, beautiful pools, comfy sun loungers.
The not so good: In the run up to our stay we emailed to ask to book a boat trip, vineyard tour and airport taxi, when we did this we were just sent website links to do it ourselves, would expect this to be done by the hotel usually. There was no coffee machine in our room and the room service charge was a flat 25euro so had to go down to get coffee. There aren’t many sun loungers on the wooden over sea decks so sometimes it was hard to get a spot later in the day. There is a beach with more chairs too but it is less secluded and near the hotel service road. When we were checking out our taxi came an hour early than what we asked for so we had to rush.
L’hotel è immerso nella natura mediterranea, con sentieri che si snodano tra il verde e conducono direttamente al mare. La nostra camera aveva una splendida vista sul mare, un dettaglio che ha reso il nostro soggiorno ancora più speciale. La zona colazione è un piccolo angolo di paradiso, circondata dal verde e con vista mare, accompagnata dalla dolce melodia di un’arpa suonata dal vivo: un’atmosfera magica.
Il giorno dopo, abbiamo pranzato presso il ristorante-pizzeria "L’Approdo", dove siamo stati accolti da Caterina, che con la sua simpatia e professionalità ci ha fatto sentire subito a casa. Il club sandwich era buonissimo! Anche Giacomo, sempre disponibile e attento, merita una menzione speciale per la sua cortesia.
La cena presso il ristorante "Il Paguro" è stata eccezionale: abbiamo gustato delle specialità sarde rivisitate con grande maestria. Un grazie speciale va alla bravissima ragazza di Bergamo di cui non ricordo il nome, che abbiamo ritrovato anche al pranzo del giorno successivo presso il ristorante "Île Flottante". Quest’ultimo è situato in una posizione unica, direttamente sul mare, e offre un’esperienza culinaria intima con pochi tavoli e piatti di altissima qualità.
Tutta la struttura offre angoli nascosti dove potersi rilassare e godere del panorama sul bellissimo mare antistante. Uno dei momenti più speciali è stato sorseggiare un aperitivo sulla terrazza del bar con vista mare. Abbiamo anche apprezzato moltissimo le pedane sul mare attrezzate con comodissime sdraio: un lusso potersi rilassare al sole mentre veniva servita della frutta fresca a metà mattina direttamente nella sdraio. L'hotel mette a disposizione anche una bellissima spiaggia privata, attrezzata con lettini e ombrelloni per gli ospiti.
Nel complesso, è stata una vacanza breve ma meravigliosa, in una delle location più incantevoli della Sardegna. Il personale è stato gentilissimo e sempre disponibile. Spero davvero di poter tornare la prossima estate!
Complimenti al Direttore per l’ottima gestione.
Grazie di cuore a tutto lo staff dell'Hotel Capo D'Orso!
All restaurants were fantastic, from the pizza restaurant to the restaurant on the water, which was very special. The cocktail bar was incredible - particular shout out to Giacomo! Highly recommend the "sparkling" cocktails and the chefs canapes at the cocktail bar were divine.
The hotel team were charming and made our stay so special, right from our arrival. They were on hand to help with everything, from booking taxis to restaurants. The manager was so very welcoming, and put the Singapore GP on for us and even joined us for some F1 chat and a drink, which was just lovely! Can't commend the Capo d'Orso team highly enough.
The solariums are beautiful, very nice for sunbathing. The beach is wonderful with the most glorious swimming! And a lovely salt water pool.
The only areas for improvement are golf and the bedrooms, but absolutely not enough to stop us coming back.
Un ringraziamento a tutto lo staff, sempre cortese e disponibile, in particolare ai maître Angelo (Ristorante Il Paguro), Claudio (Ristorante Gli Olivastri) ed Alessio (Ristorante Île Flottante) che ogni anno deliziano i nostri sensi con piatti gustosi, preparati con ingredienti freschi e di alta qualità.
Un grande grazie a Shiron per la sua disponibilità, professionalità e per il suo meraviglioso sorriso.
Un ringraziamento speciale al Direttore dell’hotel Dott. Dino Mitidieri per l’incredibile attenzione ad ogni dettaglio. Abbiamo apprezzato i recenti rinnovi alla struttura e la valorizzazione di alcuni spazi, rendendo gli ambienti ancora più accoglienti e raffinati.
Arrivederci al prossimo anno…..
We almost didn’t pick this hotel due to some of the reviews and I thought I would help level-set a few:
We found the hotel staff most accommodating and very friendly. Special shout-out to Napoleone and the other young gentleman at the front desk (his name started with an S) who helped out numerous times during our stay. The check-in was smooth and the glass of Prosecco was a nice touch.
The hotel itself is a gorgeous labyrinth of local flora. We enjoyed the winding paths and the secrets nooks — there was always a place to lounge by the water or read a book.
People complained about the pool, but the actual hotel pool is very nice — it has a beautiful view of the sea and a pool bar. The thermal pools were great and relaxing, but you’re not missing out by not paying to use them if that’s your worry. Just enjoy the beautiful emerald water instead!
I was concerned about the wasps at breakfast — and while we did have a few run-ins with them, it was never unbearable. The staff helped us cover a few plates and brought over burning coffee grinds to keep them at bay one morning. A small price to pay for the stunning grounds and amazing breakfast. The live harp was one of the loveliest touches of any hotel breakfast I’ve ever experienced.
As far as the location: yes, it’s a bit secluded and about 10 minutes from Palau, but we enjoyed that aspect. We had a car so getting around was extremely easy, but if you plan on exploring a lot without your own car, then keep the location in mind.
Il Paguro and L’Approdo were both excellent for lunch/dinner, and we loved the aperitivo with live music at 7pm every night.
Overall, I loved every minute and would absolutely come back here again!
Contact:
Address: Via Capo D'Orso, 07020 Palau, Italy
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed within this article are the author’s alone, not those of any travel/leisure company, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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