Hotel Pitrizza

At Liscia di Vacca, Hotel Pitrizza offers a quieter expression of Costa Smeralda luxury: granite, gardens and architecture that settles into the landscape rather than competing with it. Designed in 1963 by Italian architect Luigi Vietti, the hotel retains the spirit of a private home beside the Mediterranean. Its granite-and-juniper villas sit among the rocks, while Porto Cervo’s boutiques and restaurants lie 5 km away. The appeal is that balance: proximity to the village’s glamour, with an understated setting to return to.

The defining feature is the granite saltwater pool, carved from stone above the sea. Alongside the private beach, it gives the shoreline as much importance as the accommodation. There are 49 rooms and suites, set in gardens or overlooking the water, each with a balcony, terrace or garden. The 16 villas offer convivial living spaces for couples, families and friends; most, rather than all, have a private swimming pool with Mediterranean views. Choose according to whether your priority is greenery, a sea outlook or a pool of your own.

Dining follows the same regional thread. The Grill overlooks the swimming pool and draws on Sardinian produce, while Bar Pitrizza serves light bites and creative cocktails on its terrace. Beach and pool service make a simple lunch between swims an appealing option. For a more private evening, there is also a dedicated room-service menu.

Build the day around the water, then leave room for a massage or facial, or a workout facing the sea. Tennis and padel courts require reservations, and watersports are available on request. Families should note the supervised club for ages three to twelve; younger children may attend with an adult. For outings, Costa Smeralda’s hill paths, villages and archaeological sites offer a counterpoint to time on the beach.