What does the fox say?
Foxy is exactly the vibe I get when walk into the lair of Cala di Volpe, Prince Aga Khan’s playground for the rich and famous in Sardegna’s fabulous Costa Esmeralda. This curvaceous, terracotta sandcastle is dreamlike and a dream come true on the beach.
I love everything about Cala di Volpe from its style and color- warm hues and beautiful lounges reminiscent of those 1980s Bain de Soleil commercials – to its vibe. The Cala is rustic yet sophisticated, a luxury hideaway, which was the Aga Khan’s intent when he hired architect Jacques Couelle in the 1960s to build a resort that would attract the rich and famous to this iconic destination.
The 125 rooms and suites are comfort caves with a view. Each is decorated with Sardinian imagery, jewel-tone colours including emerald green, of course, and white palettes. And almost every room has a terrace. I could spend most of my days on my terrace , or in that cozy bed, if that gorgeous green water wasn’t so deliciously inviting.
A private cove in the Costa Esmeralda
Cala di Volpe is an oasis, and you really never have to leave. The private beach offers a pristine setting for swimming, sunbathing, golf, tennis, personal trainers, and every water sports imaginable, while the outdoor pool and nearby tennis courts provide additional opportunities for recreation. Guests can also take part in cultural tours, wine tastings, and cooking classes that showcase the best of Italian cuisine and Sardinian traditions.
Cala di Volpe has exceptional dining scene, with a bevy of restaurants and bars for every palate from Matsuhsia and le Grande to the Barbecue. And in the summer time, the hotel welcomes renowned chefs to host special culinary events and dinners.
If you’re bored Cala di Volpe, which you won’t be, the hotel is a short drive to Porto Cervo (my weekend guide), where you’ll find great shops, restaurants, clubs and mega-yachts. Cala di Volpe is also one of the sponsors of Porto Cervo Wine Festival (May) and Food Festival (September).
How to Get There
The Cala’s location is fantastic– it’s an easy get-away and get-to. There are short, direct flights from Rome’s FCO and Milan-Malpensa to Olbia airport. From here, it’s just a thirty-minute drive to the hotel and just far away enough from Port Cervo that you can pretend you are on your own island. .
The hotel restaurants (the grill!) are obviously amazing but more importantly, throughout the summer they bring in Michelin-starred chefs for Eating under the Stars, and the hotel sponsors both Porto Cervo Wine Festival (May) and Food Festival (September).
