Compare Sardinia hotels

With wild hinterlands, rugged mountains, historic cities, pristine beaches and delicious food, Sardinia is the ultimate holiday package. And while it is technically part of Italy, the island is very distinct from the mainland.

Though it can’t always be felt in the luxury hotels of Sardinia’s cosmopolitan Costa Smeralda, there is a proud sense of individualism here that becomes all the more apparent in the smaller towns and rural parts of Sardinia where agristurismi (rural rentals) abound.

‘Best’ is the crucial word here, because any stay is likely to be a success. So the key to choosing the very best hotel in Sardinia is prioritising what you want most from your trip.

There are plenty of cheap hotels in Sardinia’s cities, such as Olbia and Cagliari, for those who wish to be immersed in the culture and heritage of these ancient settlements. But if you want a luxury, five-star Sardinia trip, look no further than the Costa Smeralda where glamour is the name of the game.

A little further south of Olbia, you’ll find beautiful beaches ripe for solitary strolls and contemplation. And on the other side of Sardinia, Alghero and Sassari are a colourful mix of Italy and Spain, with both cities having been at one time Catalan colonies.

Costa Verde in the south-west of Sardinia is, as yet, an untapped haven, with empty beaches and small villages and towns offering a good range of sleeping options. The low population density on this part of the island means that there a fewer roads and less development, which is ideal for anybody seeking a little solitude.

Another under-explored area of Sardinia is the south-east coast. It’s mostly ignored because of its beaches; though there are plenty of them, they do not all have the same fine, white sand that those on the rest of the island are blessed with.

But the mountainous backdrop and large number of hotels, that are relatively cheap for Sardinia especially when compared with the more popular areas of the island, makes the south-east coast a great value choice.

Isola dei Gabbiani, a little islet on northern tip of Sardinia, is a veritable mecca for the active adventure seeker.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing rental shops cater to professionals and beginners, with private lessons also available, and there are several hotels and campsites to stay in on the island.

In recent years, new resorts have been springing up along the south coast of Sardinia.

They have yet to attract the tourist masses, but the stretch of coast between Chia and Pula in particular has a large number of luxury five-star Sardinia hotels that are well worth a look.