Nestled in the gentle, verdant hills of Baja Sardinia, overlooking pretty bays dotted with fishing boats, is 7Pines Resort Sardinia. The concept? “Five stars without all the fuss.” This is laidback luxury on the Costa Smeralda, which boasts some of the best beaches in the world and is widely considered to be one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful summer destinations.
A swift 40-minute drive from Olbia airport, 7Pines overlooks the beautiful cove of Cala Bitta on the island’s north-east coast. Its 48 rooms, eight junior suites and 20 suites are dotted across 37 lush green acres.
From the San Giacomo granite stone flooring to the juniper wooden surfaces, the design of the resort pays homage to traditional Sardinian craftsmen and artists, aiming to mirror the natural elements in the local area. State-of-the-art lighting, underfloor heating and Bose sound systems in every room give it all a modern edge. The result is chic and luxurious, but this is quiet luxury. The bathrooms are stocked with products from insider favourite Susanne Kaufmann and the fridges with specialist wines.
There’s a kids’ club, a padel and tennis court, two big pools, a spa, a gym and two very attractive restaurants. Exquisite Capogiro serves gourmet food with panoramic views of the ocean and a well-curated selection of wines, made up of 300 Italian and international vintages.
The pizza restaurant Spazio serves meticulously produced dishes, using local sustainable ingredients. It’s not inexpensive, although it’s all absolutely delicious.
For holidaymakers looking to de-stress, the treatments in the spa are world-class — the expert therapists pummel away all the aches and pains of desk and device life. Don’t miss the deep tissue and Indian head massage by star masseuse Francesca. There’s also a small spa area with a steam room and a sauna, but you need to book ahead.
If beaches are your thing, then this is the place for you. Sardinia has almost 2,000 kilometres of breathtaking coastline, and Gallura, where 7Pines is located, is one of the most beautiful areas of the island.
Nearby beaches of incredible beauty are Liscia Ruja, Capriccioli and La Celvia, where the sand is made of pink quartz powders. A visit to the nearby Maddalena islands, with their designated wildlife park which boasts some 1,000 plant species, comes highly recommended. The hotel has a yacht service and can arrange picnics and hampers.
Twenty minutes by car from the hotel is the picturesque hill village of San Pantaleo, which is dotted with artisanal shops selling wine, handmade clothes and regional specialities. Be sure to visit Caffè Nina in the town square, which serves sandwiches and local meat and cheese pastries. Bare wooden floorboards, beams and exposed stone walls create a pared-back, relaxed atmosphere. The village has a weekly market which locals rave about.
A 10-minute walk from the hotel is another delightful restaurant, La Rocca da Chiara, where you could easily imagine you’re in 1960s California. The gnocchi is to die for.
Baja Sardinia has a more traditional holiday seaside vibe and it is well worth taking a stroll there and getting a gelato.
At La Rocca da Chiara, where you could easily imagine you’re in 1960s California
We had a wonderful cooking lesson with Spazio chef Maurizio, who has studied under Franco Pepe, rated by Italians as the number one pizza chef in the world. The hotel is extremely proud of its pizza, and rightly so — it’s delicious.
Staff at the hotel could not be more helpful or charming, and the atmosphere throughout is low-key, relaxed and friendly.
The hotel offers free electric bikes to those looking to discover new places. And from historic sites of the ancient Nuragic culture to Roman buildings, gothic architecture and traditional seaside promenades, Sardinia is a delight to explore.
Or you could be forgiven for just soaking up the atmosphere, gorging yourself on the best pizza the world has to offer and hanging around the extremely attractive grounds and pool.
Rooms from £1,000 per night, based on two people sharing, 7pines-sardinia.com
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