There is a small hidden paradise in a natural fjord in northern Sardinia, in the refined Emerald Coast, where the word vacation makes perfect sense. A place where, as soon as you walk through the door, it invites you to disconnect, rest, and let yourself go. It is the newly opened W Sardinia-Poltu Quatu, a contemporary luxury hotel and lifestyle destination located in the tiny village of Poltu Quatu (Hidden Port in Sardinian).
The new coastal retreat of the W Hotel brand by Marriott International is perfectly integrated into the picturesque setting of this quiet town of white buildings with balconies no higher than three floors, built among granite rocks. In addition to the hotel, around fifty private houses full of bougainvillea, a small central square overlooking the Marina dell'Orso, the marina where considerable yachts now dock, several boutiques and design stores, a dozen lively restaurants, a supermarket, and a canal where boats and jet skis dock, make up this quiet town located about 6 km from the vibrant and glamorous Porto Cervo, a vacation spot for the rich and famous.
The hotel, which has been part of this village built in the late 1980s from the beginning, consists of several interconnected whitewashed buildings cascading down the spectacular cliff. In its 80s interior design, existing architectural elements have been respected, such as large arches, geometric openings, the floor... even the appealing pool nestled in the center of everything is the same one designed by Jean Claude Lesuisse, the person in charge of designing this village belonging to an Italian couple who sold it in 2024 to the current owners, an investment fund from Milan that, in turn, entrusted the hotel management to Marriott International. The furniture is new but in line with the original architecture, and the decoration showcases Sardinian filigree, paintings, and local craftsmanship with nods to the sea and the island.
As we mentioned, once you pass through the entrance arch of the W, it is highly recommended to let yourself go and be taken care of by its exquisite staff, by the way, exclusively dressed by a local atelier with beautiful designer uniforms that change daily (the colorful pajamas of the receptionists and hosts are the envy of the guests). The attention is total and as personalized as possible, so everything can be arranged with just one call or visit to reception, whether it's a Balinese bed next to a waterfall in the pool, a cocktail or an ice cream at the Wet Deck, a session with a personal trainer in the gym, a masterclass in local cuisine, or a sunset boat ride. No stress or time wasted with reservations.
The most demanded (and mandatory) activity by guests is the boat excursion, managed by the company Fjord. It can be booked at the hotel or directly on the company's website and is completely tailored to the client's wishes. It is highly recommended to book the full day to discover the coast, the coves with transparent emerald waters, and the white sandy beaches of the La Maddalena archipelago. After swimming, the experience can be completed with lunch at La Casita, a restaurant hidden on one of the islands only accessible by sea. With a capacity for about 30 people, the outdoor dining area with incredible views offers a daily menu that changes according to the available products (reservation is essential: https://www.lacasitta.com/).
Pasta class in a private house in Sardinia.
For beach lovers, W Sardinia-Poltu Quatu also has the solution: a speedboat departs every hour from the private port towards Cala Portese, a sandy beach located on an island 15 minutes away, where the hotel has its beach club with sun loungers, towels, and various snacks ready. The service is free for hotel guests. And for those who don't want to spend all day on a sunbed, visits to artisans, chefs, and Sardinian artists are also organized to learn about their work. Classes are offered, for example, to make pasta, as well as guided hiking routes through historic villages in the area, such as the charming San Pantaleo, a traditional village in the heart of the Emerald Coast, with stone houses, artisan workshops, and a lively central square dominated by the village church where children still play ball. For an afternoon of shopping and glamour, a visit to Porto Cervo is a must.
Gastronomy, cocktails, and music are three of the hotel's main offerings throughout the day. The first can be enjoyed at Tanit, the hotel's restaurant, which offers a contemporary reinterpretation of Sardinian seafood cuisine, where seafood reigns supreme. Traditional island dishes such as bottarga and fregola marinera can also be tasted. Leading the sweet proposal (also at breakfast) is the renowned pastry chef Fabrizio Fiorani, who creates innovative desserts in the Dolce Room, where he even showcases his creations.
The cocktail offer this season comes exclusively from Paradiso, the renowned cocktail bar in Barcelona, included in The World's 50 Best Bars list. Contemporary mixology in a menu with nine cocktails and mocktails, in addition to Mediterranean-inspired tapas.
Sunset on the terrace of Tanit, the hotel's restaurant.
And all this relaxed atmosphere is complemented by a lively musical offering, the DNA of W Hotels. Whether in the dining room, in the lobby, or at the Wet Deck, a live band or DJ is always on hand to keep the rhythm going.
W Sardinia-Poltu Quatu: Poltu Quatu, Sardinia, Italy.
Number of rooms: 154 rooms and suites with a terrace.
Price: from 500 euros in low season.
How to get there: Iberia offers direct flights from Madrid to Olbia several days a week. The airport is about 45 minutes from the hotel, which provides shuttle service upon reservation.