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Hotels of the month
Our opinion on Villa Azzurra, luxury villa for rent in Sardinia
Want to relax in total privacy in an Eden bathed by the Mediterranean? Head for Santa Margherita di Pula, in southern Sardinia. In the verdant setting of the Forte Village Resort, Villa Azzurra combines island charm with ultra-personalized service. It’s the luxury villa in Sardinia you’ve been dreaming of, for a summer of dolce vita.
The pitch | Forte Village Resort's hidden nugget
On the face of it, a 50-hectare complex with eight hotels (including two 5-star hotels members of the Leading of the World chain, one of the finest hotels in Sardinia) may seem a little off-putting to lovers of confidential vacations. However, 45 minutes from Cagliari airport, the Forte Village Resort hides its game well. In addition to boutiques, bars, restaurants, swimming pools, sports academies, kids' club and thalassotherapy, this family resort and club owned by Eleganzia Hotels & Spas is home to thirteen villas nestled in a haven of greenery. Yonder fell in love with the Azzurra, a superb villa for rent in the Mediterranean.
What's the villa like? Colonial style meets Sardinian design
As soon as you step through the front door of this luxury villa for rent in Sardinia, a flight of vegetation-lined steps leads to a covered veranda, where a colonial-style thebaïde opens up. Comprising three units, this 312 m² single-storey house follows the sinuous contours of the land, which runs right down to the beach. In a nod to tropical tradition, wood is omnipresent: white-painted slatted walls, oak parquet flooring and teak terraces. Cagliari-based studio PM7 designed both the bespoke furniture and the decor. Architect Sandro Sergi and engineer Luca Andreoni, with the help of Sardinian craftsmen, mixed local tradition with contemporary design: arty lighting fixtures, boldly framed mirrors, raw wool rugs hanging on the wall. Between Mediterranean elegance and hushed exoticism.
What are the bedrooms like?
Each of the three bedroom suites has its own entrance, a bathroom in white Orosei marble, a generously-sized dressing room, large picture windows and a private terrace. A perfect spot for reading, relaxing and contemplating the spectacular view over the large garden and the infinite shades of blue of the Mediterranean.
And the common areas?
Built around a large living room and a double dining room (indoor and outdoor), these vast, light-filled spaces face the pool, which stretches its gentle curves into the tropical garden. The fully-equipped kitchen enables the butler to prepare meals, snacks and impromptu feasts. He can also manage reservations for a thalasso treatment, a gourmet dinner or a tennis court. Another exclusive: access to the private beach below.
Our three recommended restaurants
Heinz Beck Restaurant. The German chef, star of the three-starred La Pergola, one of Rome's finest restaurants, creates healthy, well-balanced Italian-Mediterranean cuisine. Organic farming and sustainability play an important role in his delicious dishes, which can be enjoyed overlooking the sea.
Il Belvedere. Perched on the roof of the Villa del Parco hotel (Leading Hotels of the World), this gourmet restaurant showcases Italian products, revisited using Japanese techniques by chef Giuseppe Molaro, known for his Michelin-starred Contaminazioni restaurant near Naples.
Le Dune. In the kitchen of this elegant restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, chef Andrea Putzu creates typical dishes with a gastronomic and contemporary twist. He excels in marine flavors, particularly octopus.
Exceptional thalassotherapy in Sardinia
More than just a resort, Forte Village is also a thalasso hotel unique in Europe. Nestled in a tropical garden, the Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa, designed by Dr. Angelo Cerina, offers a course of six open-air pools, designed for deep regeneration thanks to its exceptional water. Taken 100 metres from the shore at a depth of 10 metres, this seawater has a salt concentration almost twice that of the Dead Sea. This singularity makes it an extraordinary sensory and therapeutic experience. The body floats effortlessly, with a sensation of muscular relaxation and draining action. The second pool is enriched with aloe vera and mint to boost endorphins. The rest of the circuit, which combines even more concentrated salinity and pure seawater at lower temperatures, stimulates the elimination of toxins. Powerful hydromassage jets target shoulders, back, abdominals, legs and feet. The invigorating final pool at 18° reactivates circulation and firms tissues. The highlight? The 300m² private spa with sauna, hammam, sensory showers, four pools and a private treatment cabin.
Practical
Villa Azzurra
60,000 € per week in a six-person villa with breakfasts and butler service
Forte Village Resort, S.S. 195, Km. 39.600, 09010 Pula CA, Italy
fortevillageresort.com/villa-azzurra
Signature treatments inspired by Sardinia
Fully glazed, the cabins are surrounded by tropical vegetation. So you can take full advantage of the view of exuberant nature during your treatment. Among the range of rituals on offer, the Salt and Honey Massage combines a delicate sea salt scrub enriched with sweet almond oil, followed by the application of nourishing flower honey, all while lying on a water mattress on a chromotherapy table. The result: skin that's rehydrated and as soft as a baby's.