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

The staff is friendly and provides exceptional service. The accommodation offers top-quality fixtures, a well-equipped fitness area, and stunning breakfast by the pool. The newly renovated rooms have beautiful views.

I honestly don't understand the pricing wisdom of the geniuses that run this hotel. They charge a fortune for the room which, to be fair, if you don't like it, don't book! However, once you get over the exorbitant room rate, don't charge €15 for a tiny Cola Zero or €18 for a double espresso. That is simply slapping the consumer in the face. I honestly would rather you charge a higher room rate and have all these minor amenities included. It would leave a much better feel for guests. Given how popular your hotel is, once you book in advance the pricing sting is taken out of the stay far in advance and expectations are high. But, then it is stupid prices for soft drinks, coffee, Padel and water sports. It all leaves a bad taste. A child can't have a soft drink anywhere in the property less than €15. Do you really need that F&B margin to survive? Price it into the room!!! I fully understand paying for alcohol. I'd gladly pay the extra cost for cocktails in your fantastic bar. That is a pure option and not all are alcohol drinkers. Your business psychologists are clearly caught between luxury European and American pay-for-every extra (as it is Marriott). I guarantee you that 90% of your negative reviews would go away by a room rate that includes (at a minimum) soft drinks and coffee. Same goes for tennis, water sports and Padel. Don't advertise great facilities if they are not included. For all your seemingly sophistication, you are missing some basic consumer fundamentals. Also, a tip on checkout for the hotel staff? Seriously? What a joke! Offer it to your wait staff or lunch bills. Why to the overall organisation? Back to business school....

We did not have a good time and simply, the staff need retraining. What makes me laugh is the responses to the poor reviews. Whoever writes those is brilliant. Maybe whoever that is should be in charge of retraining the supercilious staff. No need to respond to my review - you’re the best thing about the hotel!