Nestled beside the sea near Santa Teresa Gallura, a well-known tourist destination in Gallura in the north of Sardinia, the Resort Valle dell’Erica enjoys a privileged position overlooking the La Maddalena and Corsica archipelagos and the Straits of Bonifacio International Marine Park.
Comprising two five-star hotels – the Hotel Erica and the Hotel La Licciola – Resort Valle dell’Erica is set in a private 28-hectare park of 28 hectares that is rich in verdant plants and natural wildlife. But most spectacularly, it is surrounded by a breath-taking 1,400 metres of coastline and the crystalline waters and white sand beaches that Sardinia is well known for.
A playground for the rich and famous, northern Sardinia attracts affluent holidaymakers from across the globe thanks to its unrivalled natural beauty, rich history and intriguing culture, and Resort Valle dell’Erica offers a beautiful hideaway for couples and families to come and relax, unwind and explore the sights, sounds and hidden gems of this jaw-droppingly beautiful island.
Originally conceived and brought to life in 1958 by Anton Paolo as the very first tourist village in Sardinia, the resort became one of the most sophisticated holiday spots in the 1960s and a place to see and be seen. In fact, it was so highly sought-after that even princes and kings are known to have stayed here over the years, and it’s a prestigious reputation it has carried through until today.
In its current iteration, which has seen it completely reimagined by Delphina Hotels and Resorts, it has been designed to exemplify the utmost in luxury and exclusivity, all whilst respecting the surrounding natural environment, and the results are something very special indeed.
Delphina Hotels and Resorts – a family run group – has eight properties on Sardinia in total, comprising beach resorts, villas and apartments, each with its own unique identity but the same unwavering dedication to luxury.
The group has won itself some rather impressive recognition for its dedication to sustainability and greener practices, and at the World Travel Awards 2023, was named the ‘World’s Leading Green Independent Hotel Group’. Its resorts use 100 percent green energy, incorporate indigenous plants and trees into their green spaces and build in harmony with nature. It also operates a plastic free policy across all its resorts, and has its own organic vegetable garden and aviary, located at the at the Resort and SPA Le Dune, which offers younger guests an educational experience that aims to inspire a love of nature through discovering the development of Mediterranean plants from seed to fruit and collecting eggs laid by free-range hens.
The hotel
It’s easy to see why Resort Valle dell’Erica is considered by many to be the best beachfront hotel in Sardinia. From the moment you arrive, its blissful setting will instantly take your breath away, with panoramic ocean views from around the property and the sense that you have stepped into a true oasis of calm. A warm welcome is guaranteed, and the service you’ll experience here is impeccable – whether you’re unwinding in your room, dining at one of the resort’s seven sophisticated restaurants, taking a dip in the four seawater swimming pools – one of which has a very appealing swim-up bar – or indulging in a day of ultimate relaxation at the Le Thermae Thalasso Centre and Spa.
The term ‘thalassotherapy’ is derived from the Greek word “thalassa,” which means ocean – and is an alternative therapy that harnesses the soothing properties of the sea. Here, you can enjoy specialist massages and treatments in the resort’s thalassotherapy pools, as well as more traditional treatments in one of the six treatment rooms. There’s also a Turkish bath, sauna and relaxation area, as well as a fully-equipped gym – so you could easily spend an entire day here, leave feeling like a brand new person, and come back again the next day for more.
If you’re visiting the resort with children, then there are also plenty of safe green spaces where they can play without disturbing adults, as well as a ‘kids only’ swimming pool – and the Mini Club promises to keep them entertained throughout your stay so that you can really kick back and enjoy.
Rooms and suites
The resort’s range of elegant rooms and suites are divided across the Hotel Erica and the Hotel La Licciola. At Hotel Erica, they’re stylishly decorated in a fresh, Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic, and all look out onto the resort’s gardens, and beyond, to the awe-inspiring La Maddalena Archipelago.
There are a range of different room types, but the most exclusive of them have to be the impressive Suite Erica Executive Seaview, which comes with its own private pool and a furnished outdoor solarium, and the President Spargi Seaview – a sprawling suite that offers glorious panoramic views over the shimmering La Maddalena Archipelago and extra luxuries like a second bathroom, a hydromassage bathtub, and even a bed especially for in-room spa treatments. They are only topped by the Imperial Suite Erica, which offers all of this and plenty of extra space to spread out in, too.
I stayed at the Hotel Licciola, where my open plan room felt bright, airy and exuded that same sense of Mediterranean-inspired elegance, with white walls and touches of burnt and terracotta adding some energy and vibrancy. The Junior Suite features a huge and comfortable king-size bed and a generous living area comprising a sofa, two arm chairs and a coffee table – but the real treat is when you step out onto the spacious terrace to more of those astonishingly beautiful views. It seems that wherever you are in the resort, the sun, sea and sand are right there too, which isn’t always the case in large complexes, and is a real selling point of the Resort Valle dell’Erica.
The bathroom was huge, with two sinks and an enormous walk-in shower, and felt suitably opulent thanks to its smooth marble surfaces and spacious layout – with robes and slippers on hand to wrap up in when you get out.
I was, of course, pleased to find an Illy coffee machine and a selection of coffee pods in my room so that I could get that all-important morning caffeine hit before getting ready and heading out for the day. Sipping on a freshly made brew whilst sitting on my veranda each morning, taking in the scenery, was a truly magical way to start the morning. There was also a mini bar stocked with soft drinks and beers, and some snacks on hand for when you’re feeling peckish, including some tasty locally made bites.
Rooms at Hotel Licciola are embellished with authentic works of Sardinian handicrafts. The traditions of the Gallura area can be seen in the woods, ceramics and fabrics to really connect you with the culture of northern Sardinia, and it was these little, carefully thought-out touches that really made the experience.
For those seeking a next level experience, like Hotel Erica, Hotel La Licciola also offers some prestigious accommodation options. If you’re looking for extra privacy or need more space because you’re travelling as a family, then the exclusive Arcipelago Penthouse Suite boasts three rooms with double beds and en suite bathrooms and a private pool. The Imperial Suite Licciola Sea View, meanwhile, offers a different layout and even more space – again with its own pool overlooking the glittering ocean beyond.
Food and drink
If you’re a foodie, then you’ll be in absolute heaven at Resort Valle dell’Erica – and I don’t say that lightly. The resort boasts an impressive seven restaurants in total, each offering its own unique setting atmosphere, but one thing they all have in common is the mouth-watering cuisine.
The LiZini Beachfront Restaurant had to be my favourite. Set right down by the beach, just steps from its soft, white sand, dining here is the perfect way to immerse yourself in all this spectacular location has to offer. If you were wondering which restaurant to choose for a romantic dinner, then this has to be it – you can enjoy a decadent candle-lit multi-course meal under the stars with a soothing soundtrack of the waves gently lapping the shore.
I ate here at lunchtime, and the vibe was still just as special, and the food, next level. Although many traditional Sardinian dishes are primarily meat focused, there was some incredible seafood on offer here, from refreshing oysters to succulent seared salmon, and after a feast of shared starters we indulge in some freshly made pasta dishes with crab and sea urchin – a local speciality.
As a gluten free traveller, it isn’t always to find dishes I can have, much less a resort that dedicates itself to ensuring gluten free guests can enjoy a range of choices and delicious meals, instead of being limited to just one option. So I was really pleasantly surprised to find that at Resort Valle dell’Erica, it’s made a priority. Serving and catering staff are knowledgeable and ready to help at any moment, and they all attend annual training and refresher courses to ensure they can accommodate gluten free guests’ needs. It meant that at meal times, there was no guesswork or uncertainty and I was told exactly what could be made gluten free for me – which as it happened, was quite a lot.
At LiZini, and at the resort’s other eateries, that included fresh pasta dishes – something that I’ve almost never been able to have when travelling abroad.
The care and attention paid to catering to dietary requirements (which also include lactose intolerance and those on vegetarian and vegan diets) makes you feel in such safe hands, and it’s something the resort deserves real praise for.
But back to the matter at hand.
Typical Sardinian dishes are the order of the day at Li Ciusoni, where Gallura cooking is served up in a pretty and atmospheric candlelit setting surrounded by oak trees. Think dried meats and preserved vegetables from the Sardinian hinterland, prepared according to traditional methods, bread cooked in the wood-fired oven and hot hors d’oeuvres straight from the grill, followed by grilled meats, local cheeses and typical desserts and pastries from Gallura. A highlight of the evening I spent here was being able to watch malloreddus – the Sardinian take on gnocchi – being handmade in front of us – and seeing some wild boar pass by as we were eating. Thankfully, the staff ensure they don’t come close to the tables, but it was nice to see them nonetheless.
Nautilus, the resort’s main restaurant, looks out over the beachfront pool and enjoys an enchanting 180° view over the Sardinian sea. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is served here in the mornings, while at lunchtime and dinnertime, it’s all about the best in Mediterranean and Sardinian cuisine, with dishes cooked using fresh ingredients sourced from across the island.
Les Bouches restaurant, with its spacious terrace overlooking the out Straits of Bonifacio and the islands of the Corsican Archipelago, offers a different yet equally magical vantage point. There’s a breakfast buffet served here too if you’re looking for a change of scenery from Nautilus – a nice touch that will no doubt be welcomed by guests staying for a week or longer and who like to mix things up a bit. In the evening, you can expect show cooking and of course, more mouth-watering dishes to choose from.
There’s also elegant restaurant Il Grecale and romantic eatery La Prua, both of which are equally as gorgeous and offer decadent cuisine and five-star service.
With seven restaurants, there’s somewhere different to dine each day of the week, so it’s easy to see why some guests simply never feel the need to leave the resort. On top of that, there are a couple of snack bars, too – and even a pizzeria reserved especially for the young guests of the Mini Club.
If you do want to get out and about but don’t want to compromise on beautiful settings and great gastronomy, then you can treat yourself to the Brunch Mediterraneo, which allows you to enjoy brunch at the Resort & SPA Le Dune (Badesi) or at the Park Hotel and SPA Cala di Lepre (Palau) – two of the seven other Delphina Hotels & Resorts properties on Sardinia.
To do
The most obvious thing to do whilst staying at the Resort Valle dell’Erica is to luxuriate on its pristine, white sand beaches or head out on the water to explore the surrounding La La Maddalena Archipelago. It’s hard to believe Sardinia is in Europe; its crystalline turquoise waters look more like those you’d find in the Caribbean, and setting sail on board a private yacht or catamaran and pausing here and there for a dip or a spot of snorkelling is one of the best ways to experience them in all their glory.
Back on dry land, you can pay a visit to the ancient stone village of Aggius, in the heart of Gallura, to admire its traditional buildings and learn about the rich local history culture at its small museum, or head to Santa Teresa Gallura and vibrant Capo Testa – a paradise for hiking, climbing and ocean enthusiasts alike.
At the Winery Siddura, you can visit a local wine cellar and indulge in a wine tasting session, before stocking up on a few of your favourites to take home with you.
In a nutshell
A luxurious and endlessly sophisticated resort in stunning north Sardinia, Resort Valle dell’Erica is the place to go if you’re seeking a dream getaway in one of Europe’s most awe-inspiring destinations, and from a thoroughly show-stopping setting to decadent gourmet cuisine and a focus on wellness – all with a side of sustainability – it’s the ultimate choice for the conscious discerning traveller in 2024.
Factbox
Open from 17th May – 6th Oct 2024. Rates start from £146 per person per night in a double room on a half board basis.
Address: Str. Liscia di Scopa, 07028 Santa Teresa di Gallura SS, Italy
Phone: +39 0789 790340
Website: delphinahotels.co.uk
All imagery credit: Delphina Hotels and Resorts
