Where to stay in Sardinia: Three Delphina hotels in the north

Sardinia is an island of incredible natural beauty, boasting white beaches, dramatic coastlines, and turquoise seas.

Basking in the gorgeous glow of the Mediterranean sunshine, it's the ideal place for a family holiday or a romantic escape.

See also: The best hotels in the world 2017

See also: The UK's most romantic hotels for 2017

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay, with eight hotels in its portfolio, family-run Delphina has something for everyone, taking the difficulty out of choosing your Sardinia hotel. Delphina's hotels are all located in northern Sardinia in Gallura, stretching from the Golf of Asinara to the famous Costa Smeralda. With a focus on enjoying the magic of the surrounding environment, all the hotels bring you closer to nature, being right by the sea . You can also enjoy pampering treatments with natural products at the hotels' Thalasso & SPA Wellness Centres.

They're also a fantastic base from which to explore ruggedly charming wild places like the La Maddalena Archipelago, a must for a holiday in the north of Sardinia.

Discover three of the company's five-star hotels below, cherry-picked for the different types of holiday they offer. All the hotels are wonderfully friendly, offering fabulous service and food. But we think we've left the very best for last...

Resort Valle Dell'Erica Thalasso & Spa
BEST FOR: LUXURIOUS FAMILY FUN

What's to love?
Sun, sea, sand and seclusion. The resort is nestled into 70 acres of scented shrubland, with a long sandy beach and the sparkling 1400m coastline dotted with inviting sandy coves, where you can soak up the sun for a couple of hours while the little ones are entertained at the Mini Club Ericaland, free for kids aged between three and nine years old, and open from 9am to 11pm. For children aged 10 to 13 years , there's also complimentary canoes, golf, Play Station and X Box available. There's also a Baby Club for children aged 12 to 36 months.

Best rooms in the house
There's 271 rooms spread across two separate hotels at the resort, Hotel Erica, and Hotel La Licciola. The latter has 123 room focused on refined relaxation. The Imperial Suite has its own terrace and pool and is the one to splash out on if you're feeling flush. There's also three seawater swimming pools connected by waterfalls and a swim-up bar. Hotel Erica is very family-focused, and offers 148 rooms and suites just metres from the beach. The President Spargi suite is top notch, with a private plunge pool and views over to the La Maddalena Archipelago.

Eat at
You're spoilt for choice here, with seven different eateries, including a child-friendly pizzeria at the Mini Club. Fancy some adults-only alone-time? Head to the seafront eaterie, La Prua. One of our favourite spots was the boutique beachside Li Zini for candlelit, al fresco fabulousness. Head to the La Piazzetta piano bar for after-dinner entertainment, with or without the kids! Your choice.

This place is perfect if you...
Want to combine family fun and adventure with pure relaxation time thrown in, too.

Top tip?
Take a trip to the charming ancient village of Santa Teresa Gallura for an enjoyable afternoon out. Don't want to go anywhere, but had enough lazing? Try diving, trekking, windsurfing, mountain biking, or go on a sailing cruise.

I want to go!
The nearest airport is Olbia, and rates per person per night in a double room start from £129 on a half-board basis. Visit www.delphinahotels.co.uk to book.


Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & Spa
BEST FOR: AFFORDABLE LUXURY

What's to love?
The hotel is located in the unspoilt north west corner of Sardinia, near the little fishing village of Isola Rossa. Its rugged beauty is a draw for many, and the large beach below the hotel boasts beautiful water and loungers reserved for hotel guests. The spa a the Marinedda is excellent, offering brilliant treatments, four seawater pools heated to different temperatures, a Hammam, two saunas and a gym.

Best rooms in the house
There's 195 rooms here, all with a terrace or veranda and many with beautiful views of the bay and pink granite-rock coastline.

Eat at
While the Marinedda may not quite ooze the glamour of the Capo D'Orso (see below), the standard of the food here was fantastic. There are four restaurants, including the buffet at the Petra Ruja which got a big thumbs up from us. But if you're looking for a higher level of luxury treat yourself at the Tramonto for tasty fare with gorgeous views and candlelight.

This place is perfect if you...
Are looking for a family getaway that won't cost you the earth but will still offer great value and elements of luxury.

Top tip?
Make the most of the free facilities, including tennis, yoga, snorkelling and a full Mini and Junior Club programme. And don't miss the excursions either; you can go on half-day or full-day trips to Castelsardo (a beautiful cliffside village with delicious restaurants and great views), or take a sea safari cruise around the north west coast or to La Maddalena.

I want to go!
The nearest airport is Olbia, and prices start from £112 per person per night on a half-board basis. Visit www.delphinahotels.co.uk to book.

Hotel Capo D'Orso Thalasso & Spa
BEST FOR: ROMANTIC RETREATS

What's to love?
Erm, everything. Literally. You could drop us off and leave us forever at the Capo D'Orso and we'd be quite happy with that. A stunning property with a dangerous never-leaving allure, it's the most exclusive property in the Delphina collection; the jewel in their crown. Sitting right on the north east coast of Sardinia, it's nestled amid wild olive groves and junipers, with hidden hammocks in secluded coves and wonderful floating sundecks giving you direct access to the gorgeous azure sea. There's also a lovely beach at the front of the hotel, right next to the private marina. All this can be enjoyed in peace as the hotel is generally child-free.

Best rooms in the house
All of the 86 rooms are of a high standard, but if you really want to push the boat out, the Presidential Suite with sea views is the ticket.

Eat at
You can't beat a long lazy lunch on one of the seaside solariums; we enjoyed prosecco with delicious pasta and oysters. Bliss. You'll eat breakfast with sparkling views over the sea and the dulcet tones of the resident harpist at Gli Olivastri; there's fresh seafood at Il Paguro, and a relaxed vibe at the pizzeria with its open wood-fired oven. It's all divine.

This place is perfect if you...
Want to treat yourself to an upmarket romantic getaway or honeymoon and explore some of the most beautiful areas of Sardinia at the same time. Porto Cervo, a favourite with the A-list, is just a 10-minute boat ride or drive away for high-end shopping.

Top tip?
One of the highlights of our trip was hiring a little RIB boat from the marina and taking ourselves off on a trip around the magical La Maddalena Archipelago; a prettier place you'll be hard-pushed to find. Google images of white-sand beaches and glass-clear water are not wrong. Alternatively, there are boat excursions run by Delphina, which can also take you to Corsica. At the hotel, there's also tennis, a nine-hole golf course, snorkelling equipment, diving, and there's even a horse riding stables 1500m away (you can even stop for a swim in the sea). And we shouldn't forget the heliport, which offers private transfer service, or a panoramic flight over the Archipelago.

I want to go!
The nearest hotel is Olbia, and prices start from £155 per person on a half-board basis. Visit www.delphinahotels.co.uk to book.

See more images of all three hotels in our gallery below:

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