La Villa del Re

La Villa del Re, a Michelin Key Selected property in Cagliari, Italy, is an adults-only luxury hotel renowned for its stunning beachfront location, exceptional service, and elegant ambiance. It consistently receives high praise for providing a serene and indulgent escape on Sardinia's southeastern coast.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

La Villa del Re garners a "Superb" overall rating of 9.4 out of 10 based on hundreds of reviews. Guests frequently describe their experience as one of "refined indulgence at every turn" and even a "White Lotus(ish) experience," highlighting a general consensus of luxury and relaxation. The prevailing sentiment is highly positive, with particular appreciation for the property's beauty and the staff's dedication.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of La Villa del Re:

• Location & Design: The hotel's "stunning location" on a private white sand beach and its "beautiful property" with an expansive infinity pool overlooking the sea are frequently mentioned as standout features. The architecture blends modern design with traditional Sardinian stone and wood, creating an elegant yet laid-back atmosphere.
• Service: The "outstanding" and "impeccable" staff is a recurring highlight, with many guests remarking on their professionalism, attentiveness, and willingness to go "above and beyond".
• Amenities: The private beach with sun loungers and cabanas, the large infinity pool, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea with desserts, free Wi-Fi, parking, and available bikes and canoes are highly valued. The adults-only policy contributes to a quiet and romantic atmosphere.

3. Room Quality

The hotel offers 48 elegant rooms and suites, many with an outdoor patio or balcony, and some featuring sea views and a homely sitting room. Rooms are typically dressed in a pearl-white palette with dark wood accents, creating an airy, spotlessly clean, and comfortable environment. Standard amenities include king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and complimentary bottled water upon arrival. Bathrooms are described as modern and spacious, often featuring large sinks, bidets, glass showers or trendy tubs, and Gilchrest & Soames toiletries. However, some guests have noted that rooms can be "a bit on the small side for a luxury resort of this kind". A surprising omission for a luxury property is the absence of coffee and tea-making facilities in all rooms. Some rooms may also be located in an annex building, approximately 10 meters from the main building.

4. Dining Experience

La Villa del Re boasts two superb restaurants, Le Palme and Bellavista Grill, which serve traditional Italian and regional dishes, often prepared with innovative techniques. The breakfast is consistently praised as "superb," "fabulous," and comprehensive, offering both sweet and savory options as a complimentary American breakfast. Guests also appreciate the free afternoon tea featuring a buffet of delectable desserts made by an on-site pastry chef.

However, a significant number of reviews highlight high pricing for food and drinks, with a "wildly overpriced wine list" and "overpriced" meals. Some guests have also reported surcharges for certain breakfast items and for dining in the hotel's restaurants as a staying guest. Both restaurants enforce a dress code, requiring men to wear trousers for dinner.

5. Service & Staff

The service at La Villa del Re receives nearly universal acclaim, with a staff rating of 9.8 out of 10. Guests frequently use terms like "outstanding," "exceptional," "incredible," "friendly," "polished," and "attentive" to describe the team. Staff members are noted for their genuine hospitality, going "above and beyond" to ensure a perfect stay. Examples of excellent service include assisting guests with navigating the island, organizing boat excursions, and even helping with doctor appointments.

6. Location & Accessibility

La Villa del Re is situated in a quiet, somewhat remote area on the beautiful southeastern coast of Sardinia, offering an adults-only escape. It features a private white sand beach with calm surf, directly accessible from a tiered deck near the pool. While the immediate surroundings offer limited walkable options for bars or restaurants, the towns of Cala Sinzias and Costa Rei are a 10-minute drive away, and Villasimius is reachable within 20 minutes, offering more dining and shopping choices. Cagliari Elmas Airport is approximately an hour's drive from the hotel. The location is ideal for travelers seeking a tranquil retreat where they can fully enjoy the hotel's facilities and private beach.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury property and a Michelin Key selection, La Villa del Re operates at a premium price point. While its "Value for money" scores an 8.4 on Booking.com, some guests express that the hotel can be "overpriced". A Superior Garden Front room can cost around €805 plus taxes per night, or 35,000 to 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night. The general sentiment regarding value is mixed, with some feeling the exceptional experience justifies the cost, while others find the additional expenses for food and drinks to be excessive.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few recurring criticisms are noted:

• High Food & Beverage Costs: The most frequent complaint revolves around the "overpriced" food, drinks, and wine list, with some guests mentioning "surcharges for breakfast items" and even a fee to dine in the hotel's restaurants as a staying guest.
• Room Size: A few guests have found the rooms to be "a bit on the small side" for a luxury resort.
• Lack of In-Room Coffee/Tea Facilities: The absence of coffee and tea-making facilities in the rooms is considered a "surprising oversight for a luxury property".
• Limited On-Site Wellness Facilities: The lack of a spa or gym on-site is also noted as a surprising omission for a hotel of this caliber.
• Slow Pool Bar Service: One guest mentioned that service at the pool bar for lunch could be slow.
• Hotel Manager Interaction: A unique complaint highlighted a hotel manager who "did his level best not to speak to any guests".

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. kayak.com
5. thehotelguru.com
6. thebulkheadseat.com
7. oyster.com
8. expedia.co.uk
9. tablethotels.com