Hotel Cala Di Volpe

My husband and I visited this hotel for four nights for our wedding anniversary. We went away having VERY mixed feelings about our experience. I’m not huge on reviewing hotels, but THIS hotel stands alone and deserves a thorough review to inform others. As others have mentioned, the massive elephant in the room is the insane prices at this hotel. It left such a terrible feeling… at one point, I looked at my husband and said “are we being punked?” We travel extensively across Europe and are not afraid to splurge while vacationing, but this didn’t feel like splurging, it felt just wrong. If you are truly looking to book this hotel, I urge you to take a look at the menus and prices. Here are a few examples: Cocktail: 37€ Coca Cola: 15€ Lunch for one person: 125€ Room service hamburger: 40€ Small margarita pizza: 40€ Pros: -25 minutes from Olbia (although taxis are extremely expensive to/from hotel -Luxurious and comfortable beds, pillows, sheets and duvet -Great variety and quality of bathroom provisions (shampoo, etc) -AC that really works! -Very clean and well-appointed rooms -Good service, very attentive staff -Lovely breakfast location -Breakfast was included, and had a decent offering with a la carte options at no cost. -Close proximity to a great off property restaurant (fraction of the price) called Belvedere. -Recognition of our anniversary in the room and at one of our dinners -Comfortable sun loungers at the pool and beach Cons: -The absolute BIGGEST Con was the prices. I felt like I was being mugged in broad daylight each and every time I spent money on food -Mosquitos, we couldn’t leave our lanai door open -Small showers -INSANE prices for taxi. We felt captive to the hotel for this reason. 25 minute ride to the airport was €120 -Beach is a boat ride away from the property -Pesky beach vendors -Underwhelming property grounds -Cold, unheated pool I would not return to this hotel simply based on the value for money. Plain and simple. If the prices for food and taxis were halved, I’d be back. I would urge others to do research before booking and go in with eyes (and wallet) wide open.

The location is beautiful with sea views to the misty hills beyond, idyllic. The hotel has the facilities but the building itself is old- and there comes a point where rustic becomes plain tired and no amount of white paint can hide that fact. The main restaurant reflects the hotel’s age, the breakfast buffet is cramped and I have seen better offerings in lesser hotels, but service is generally good- and occasionally exceptional. The elephant in the room is the prices- €18 for two coffees…….no the hotel is not that special. It’s ten minutes by taxi to Porto Cervo- €40 each way and they claim their credit card machine doesn’t work. I have no problem paying for value, but this hotel needs to up its game- it isn’t as good as it thinks it is!

Great hotel, very beautiful surroundings and excellent service. The pool is salt water and very refreshing to swim in. Nice boat to the private beach which is included in the stay. Food and drinks are pricey but such is Porto Cervo. I would go back.

Lovely hotel, with the James Bond vibe of course. Wonderful architecture. The rooms are lovely, make sure you get a water facing one. The staff are wonderful. The breakfast by the pool is lovely, and the pool is gorgeous, as well as the private beach reached by hotel boat that nips around the bay. Also you don't have to pay for the beds on top of your rooms, like the S of France! A quick drive or a 20 min walk away are some very gorgeous public beaches too.

Amazing experience at this hotel with one caveat. The pool is absolutely freezing cold and is the same water (but purified) from the ocean. The spa doesn’t have a hot tub either. I was advised to use the sauna or take a bath which seems odd to me but may be the standard for beach towns in Europe. Considering this is the end of summer, this is something that I wish wasn’t the case.