Abi d'Oru Beach Hotel&Spa

Sardinia’s Emerald Coast is nothing if not aptly named — this lush and wild stretch of coastline is like nothing on Italy’s mainland. Here a hotel like the Abi d’Oru can lay claim to enough land to contain some 150 rooms and suites, divided among a number of hexagonal pavilions, separated by Mediterranean gardens and paths leading to a white-sand beach. It’s modernist in concept, though classic in style — the hotel dates to the Sixties, and its modular layout affords plenty of privacy for the accommodations.

The interior decoration goes out of its way to warm up the mid-century construction, with soft pastel tones and plenty of rich textures and patina. It’s an exceedingly family-friendly hotel, right down to the Family Classic rooms with their sofa beds. The Deluxe Suites are larger still, and the two Signature Suites are proper two-bedrooms, with a level of luxury that’s downright extravagant.

As for the services and activities, you name it: there’s the beach, the spa, a diving school, a kids’ club, and all manner of excursions by land and sea. Also present are no fewer than four restaurants — if there’s one thing to keep in mind about travel to Sardinia, it’s that a hearty appetite is essential.