Valle dell’Erica, Sardinia hotel review - Best hotels in Sardinia

Nestled in the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by jade-coloured water lapping against grey and white rocks and spilling onto golden sands, sits the island of Sardinia. Neighbouring Corsica, this delightful Italian island’s 2,000km coastline inhabits rocky hiking trails and views for days, though I’m here for a slightly more sedate holiday and, thanks to 5* Valle Dell’Erica, it consists largely of splashing around in clear seas, dipping into bubbling Thalasso pools and indulging in fine wines, fresh fish and butter-soft pasta.

After a 90-minute drive from Olbia airport (and a 2.5 hour flight from Gatwick) we arrive at a vast, air-conditioned reception, leading onto a terrace where deep white armchairs overlook the dusky coast. A live cellist provides the classical soundtrack, a waiter appears boasting a silver tray of cocktails, nuts, olives and sun-dried tomatoes. If there is a more splendid welcome to a destination, I can’t think of one.

Valle Dell’Erica is big – two hotels (Hotel La Licciola and Hotel Erica), 271 rooms, 4 pools and seven restaurants - but even though it’s at capacity during my stay, you’d never know. Clusters of rooms are separated by lush green bushes and terracotta walkways all within view of the sea. Within minutes, the cramped Piccadilly line and loud streets of Soho seems like a world away.

My room is dreamy. A king-sized bed faces the centre of the room, complete with sofa, armchair, desk, Sky-installed TV and an espresso machine (we are on the outskirts of Italy, after all). Beyond this lies the terrace, complete with table, chairs and sunbeds, all overlooking a lush green garden and pristine blue sea. Thanks to the stone alcove, privacy is key and you won’t hear a peep from your neighbours. Credit must be given to the astonishing attention to detail: Should the bed, sofa and terrace not be enough and you crave the sea-view from your bathroom as well, a slice of bathroom wall is cut into, and looks out onto the sea as well.

Onto the spa. Delphina’s trademark is it’s Thalassotherapy. From the Greek thalasso meaning ‘sea’ and therapia meaning ‘treatment’, it uses the healing and beneficial properties of the sea and the marine environment to promote health and wellbeing. Thalasso pools are like fresh-water saunas where the bubbles provide a re-mineralising massage to relax and calm the nervous system, with taps of intense water pouring down from above, or from the sides below, to give your back and shoulder or calfs a super-intense massage.

Delphina are big on natural, holistic and the environmentally-friendly, so Valle Dell’Erica’s four Thalasso pools are nuzzled amongst granite rocks and scented by Mediterranean herbs, looking out onto the beach ahead. I could spend hours in the blissfully relaxing pools, though health and safety rules advise just a few minutes in each pool max. They’re pretty intense.

No trip to Sardinia can skim on the cuisine.  As it’s an Italian island, you can expect plenty of meat, fish, vegetables and, of course, pasta. Unlike mainland Italy however, Sardinian food is stripped back to simplicity: less stodgy, creamy and rich, just chargrilled with a splash of lemon, drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of herbs. In Valle Dell’Erica we ate dinners at Nautilus, which a panoramic beach front, Li Ciusoni, with wood-fired ovens and Il Grecale, overlooking the hotel’s opulent gardens. Morning’s breakfast buffet was served at Les Bouches in the hotel, overlooking the sea.

After five days of pure indulgence, pampering and relaxation, I returned home bronzed and blissful. I’d go back in a heartbeat – and next time for a full week.  

Highs

The views, the pools and the food. Oh, the food! 

Lows

The journey from the airport is scenic but winding. If you're prone to travel sickness, sit right up at front.

Getting there

Flights from London Gatwick to Olbia via Meridiana airline, from £37.