Hotel Cala di Volpe, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Costa Smeralda

Incredible - but expensive The hotel is fabulous. Everything you’d expect from a top Italian hotel. Go there dressing to impress as everyone dressed to the 9s. The main restaurant is excellent. Ignore the menu, ask the waiter and they’ll pretty much make you whatever you want. Only downside is everything is extra and expensive! Just get ready to sign it to the room…

An aesthetic dream (but a pricey one!) Cala di Volpe is undoubtedly a stunning property - one of the most aesthetically unique and beautiful places I've stayed in. Every corner is so picturesque, it almost feels unreal. We loved the honeymoon surprise on arrival, the room upgrade, the free use of the pristine world-class Mouratoglou (!) tennis courts and Padel courts, and the open air fitness centre (though we do think a covering over the thatched roof would prevent equipment damage from rain!). My husband had food poisoning on the final night (from another restaurant, not the hotel's!) and they kindly extended our check out obligingly. A few areas of improvement - only because you are paying a great deal to stay here and so deserve the best! - there is no milk for tea/coffee provided in the room and when I requested some, they charged me 9 Euros for a cup of milk! - non-motorised water sports are charged and is run by a third company ... I would think a hotel of this price should provide complimentary kayaks / SUP available for guests to use in the private beach - there is no jacuzzi or pool in the spa, and the spa menu is exorbitantly priced - the hospitality of the hotel, whilst friendly, was not overly accommodating (for reference, La Villa Del Rei for us is the gold standard!)