Cento Ulivi

Rooms

There are 5 lovely Junior Suites, all with big shaded terraces where you find a couple of cushioned wicker armchairs and a small sofa. Three are at the front, 2 at the back; those at the front have slightly better views, those at the back are probably quieter at night, though all are pretty peaceful.

Chic interiors are just the ticket - simple, stylish, spotless. You get whitewashed walls, white linen on smart beds (queensize or twin), perhaps a small table and chairs. We had the smallest room, which isn’t small at all, and loved it: pretty seascapes on the walls, smart fabrics, sandstone tiles, a tiny padded bench at the end of the bed. All rooms have shuttered windows with mosquito screens, so you can sleep with the windows open, but your privacy assured. Bathrooms are lovely, shining white, with power showers, big mirrors, deep sinks and lots of space to stash your stuff. No toiletries or robes though, so you'll need to bring your own.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is served from 8.30-10.30am. You either eat on the pool terrace or in Ivania’s rustic dining room, where glass walls frame the view. It’s a help-yourself affair. You’ll find a simple spread of fruit, toast, ham, cheese and Italian cakes, then jugs of juice. There are eggs if you want some, and fresh tea and coffee.

Out and about you’ll find countless restaurants to choose from, though in high season (mid-July and August), you need to book at least a day ahead. Ivania recommends the seafront Blu and Gente di Mare in Golfo Aranci, or Lu Stazzu in Porto Rotondo (3km) for much-vaunted suckling pig.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Hang out by the pool. There are sun loungers and a waterfall from the pool drops into a Jacuzzi. There’s a hammock on the front lawn and in-room massages can be arranged
  
  
• Head off to the beaches - lots are on your doorstep. Some are wild, others have small restaurants, and at several you can hire sunbeds and a parasol. We thought Spiaggia Bianca on the southern fringe of Golfo Aranci was rather cute
  
  
• Spin up into the hills on Thursday mornings and check out the market at San Pantaleo. It draws a crowd and you can get a good pizza at lunch, too
  
  
• Check out the local coastal towns. In Porto Rotondo stop at Gelateria del Molo on the harbour for one of its excellent ice creams and watch the big boats come and go
  
  
• Saddle up at the stables across the road and head down to the beach for a canter. Also, there are mountain-bike trails in the hills behind you, while cooking courses, PADI courses, boats trips and scuba diving can all be arranged
  
  
• Drive up to Palau and cruise the Maddalena archipelago - Ivania recommends Dea del Mare with Carlo and Monica. You stop at lovely beaches, astonishing rocks and can see Garibaldi’s house on Isola Caprera
  
  
• Sardinia’s interior is gorgeous, easy to access and much ignored. You can hike to a couple of olive trees near Témpio that have been classified by Unesco as the oldest in Europe - 1 could be 6,000 years old
  
  
• Explore the archaeological sites: check out the Giant’s Tomb at Li Lolghi or some of the many Nuragic settlements; La Prisgiona, which is well preserved, is close by
  
  
• From Santa Teresa you can take the ferry over to Corsica for the day and explore Bonifacio, which stands magnificently on top of a cliff; it’s only 10 miles away

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Plantlife / flora
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

All ages are welcome but children over 8 are preferred as the swimming pool is not securely fenced and kids will require supervision. Please note that the hotel is primarily aimed at couples and honeymooners come here often so more than one family at a time is not encouraged.

Cots are available and can fit in all rooms (free), as can an extra bed (small cost). You can use the kitchen to prepare food and bottles for babies. Remember, 3 dogs live here, too.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Any; all rooms are big

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 15 minutes
• Shops: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Cento Ulivi is 12km north of Olbia in northern Sardinia. It’s a 2-2.5-hour drive from Alghero and 3.5-4 hours from Cagliari.

By Air:
Fly into Olbia from April to late September (12km), or Alghero and Cagliari all year round. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
You could take a taxi but you'll definitely need transport while you're here so it's best to hire a car from the airport, or take a taxi then hire a scooter locally.

By Ferry:
There are sailings from mainland Italy (Genoa, Livorno, Piombino) and from Corsica to northern Sardinia (Olbia, Golfo Aranci, Santa Teresa Gallura); and from further afield (including Marseille, Barcelona) to other Sardinian ports.

By Car:
See our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Sardinia and getting around