Who's Going
Carla Bruni, George Clooney, Liz Hurley
Reason to Stay
Celebrity Resort, Pool Scene, Summer Hotspot
Hotel Type
Resort
It's one of the world's most famous resorts, built in the 1960's by Aga Khan who teamed up with designer Jacques Couelle to create a village-theme resort and summer jetset landmark that would live on forever. The result of this collaboration is Cala di Volpe, Sardinia's chicest summertime hotel and perhaps one of the world's most expensive vacation indulgences. Located on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda, Hotel Cala di Volpe has been the backdrop of celebrity home movies and Hollywood films like James Bond's "The Spy Who Loves Me". Visitors arrive to a hush-hush entrance guarded from camera-toting tourists ensuring high profile guests the utmost of privacy within the whitewashed lobby.
The four-story resort is painted in pastel shades of the Mediterranean, curving around a central yacht harbor chugging with Rivas and Fed Ships throughout high season. On the other side of the property is a freeform saltwater resort pool with topless sunbathers and in-house guests lounging away their hangovers with bottles of rose and sunshine. The resort is home to ever-swank Restaurant Cala di Volpe with its Spanish tile floors, curved archways and cuisine by Chef Franco Guardone. The fun factor of the hotel peaks in August when Il Pontile Bar and Lobby Lounge perk with late-night singles and live music till 1am.
The Room
A stay at the Cala di Volpe is a lesson in the age-old struggle of rich verses super rich. During August high season we were fortunate to experience the hotel from both, first checking-in to one of the original guest rooms located in the older annex of the hotel adjacent to the saltwater swimming pool. At first sigh the room seems rather small, like a dressing room for a larger suite, with a simple one-room space of white walls, tile floor and quirky decor from locally-sourced furniture makers. Bathrooms are an eclectic mish-mash of hand painted tiles with stall shower that didn’t close properly. On the other end of the social spectrum the Frau Suite that came at the end of our stay was both spacious and opulent with separate living and sleeping areas and entertaining terrace that allowed you to scope out the resort scene before picking your swimsuit. Handcrafted Sardinia furnishings and crafts added a local vibe as well as a modern decor that doesn’t make weeklong guests nostalgic for their mansions back home.
Preferred Room
Frau Suite
Special Features
Saltwater Pool, BBQ Restaurant, Lounge, Celebrity Scene
Amenities
Spa, Restaurant, Bar, Lounge, Beach Club
