Cala di Volpe (Sardinia) Italy [Master Thread]
Jun 24, 2004, 4:44 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: BA, LH, BD
Posts: 1,469
forgot to read the thread-
yes for the boat - drop anchor and swim , or throttle the thing and drive it onto land..
some places are very shallow and extremely clear for snorkelling ( i forgot to bring mine)
and yes the pvt beach is nice (not amazing) - not busy (when i was there)
but if you hire a boat for the week, there is no need.
the boat hire place is 5 mins walk so you could just go there each day..
as some of the beaches that are very nice involve a 20min walk from the car..
you could just zoom around on your boat and look very important - getting out saying "i hate having to get around in the little runner , but the sailing ship might run aground!"
the hotel hires smart cars by the day- so if you could arrange a combo of car/ boat - you would do well..
yes for the boat - drop anchor and swim , or throttle the thing and drive it onto land..
some places are very shallow and extremely clear for snorkelling ( i forgot to bring mine)
and yes the pvt beach is nice (not amazing) - not busy (when i was there)
but if you hire a boat for the week, there is no need.
the boat hire place is 5 mins walk so you could just go there each day..
as some of the beaches that are very nice involve a 20min walk from the car..
you could just zoom around on your boat and look very important - getting out saying "i hate having to get around in the little runner , but the sailing ship might run aground!"
the hotel hires smart cars by the day- so if you could arrange a combo of car/ boat - you would do well..
Feb 17, 2005, 6:57 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Cala di Volpe - Upcoming trip
We will be in Europe in June and found incredibly cheap tix to Olbia, Sardegna and award availability for three nights at the Cala di Volpe to boot. I went back to the few threads that have been posted here and was wondering if there still is no option to actually purchase food and drinks a la carte. One thread mentioned Euro 240/ppn, so basically $600 or $1800 for the three nights. That is simply not an option.
My question comes down to whether it even makes sense to stay at this property under these circumstances, i.e., is it possibly to enjoy ourselves or would we feel left out b/c we are missing an integral part of the experience?
If that's the case, which of the other three properties is a better choice?
My question comes down to whether it even makes sense to stay at this property under these circumstances, i.e., is it possibly to enjoy ourselves or would we feel left out b/c we are missing an integral part of the experience?
If that's the case, which of the other three properties is a better choice?
Mar 15, 2005, 11:49 am
#20
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: swiss, spg
Posts: 5
We stayed at the Cala di Volpe on award cert as well, great room upgrade but the meals were as you said. We ate out - you'd need a car - as we were exploring the hills and towns. It is an amazing property.
Didn't stay at the others in Olbia so I can't say.
Didn't stay at the others in Olbia so I can't say.
Apr 21, 2006, 5:48 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
What about the other SPG Costa Smeralda options?
What about the Hotel Pritrizza?
What is the best option for a SPG Platinum using points?
What about the Hotel Pritrizza?
What is the best option for a SPG Platinum using points?
Sep 21, 2007, 6:34 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Cala di Volpe - Review
Mrs. michaelr and I spent five days at the Cala di Volpe in early September.
Unfortunately, the operation left us somewhat disappointed. Our high expectations were set by the lofty $1000+ nightly rates the property appears to be fetching.
The hotel is certainly beautiful and well kept but also in dire need of an update. The decor is decidedly 60s.
Our room (as a Platinum) was run of the house, a nicer one at that on the third floor overlooking the pool/bay. It's decently sized with white walls and furniture that by today's standards is neither elegant/expensive or otherwise. I would describe the room as comfortable, clean and efficient. The rooms are fairly noisy. You will hear your neighbors and people on the floor. This is due to the all-tile, all-stone build that to be fair is the standard in Italy. Take a look at the room pictures on spg.com, number 5 or 10 are on the spot. The bathroom is also average size with dark green tile. Some odors were coming from the toilet indicating plumbing problems.
In terms of facilities, we used the pool and the beach. The beach is a short 10 minutes walk away from the hotel. That is if you walk, the hotel also has a shuttle is going every 30 minutes. The beach is just fine and so is the pool area. The pool is huge but a little unimaginative but today's standards. It's a squared large blue pool.
At the end, the Cala di Volpe a fine, slightly below average 5 star property. What it's not, is some sort of super star that actually provides value in proportion to what it charges. At least we were unable to see the value. I am still wondering what we were missing.
Unfortunately, the operation left us somewhat disappointed. Our high expectations were set by the lofty $1000+ nightly rates the property appears to be fetching.
The hotel is certainly beautiful and well kept but also in dire need of an update. The decor is decidedly 60s.
Our room (as a Platinum) was run of the house, a nicer one at that on the third floor overlooking the pool/bay. It's decently sized with white walls and furniture that by today's standards is neither elegant/expensive or otherwise. I would describe the room as comfortable, clean and efficient. The rooms are fairly noisy. You will hear your neighbors and people on the floor. This is due to the all-tile, all-stone build that to be fair is the standard in Italy. Take a look at the room pictures on spg.com, number 5 or 10 are on the spot. The bathroom is also average size with dark green tile. Some odors were coming from the toilet indicating plumbing problems.
In terms of facilities, we used the pool and the beach. The beach is a short 10 minutes walk away from the hotel. That is if you walk, the hotel also has a shuttle is going every 30 minutes. The beach is just fine and so is the pool area. The pool is huge but a little unimaginative but today's standards. It's a squared large blue pool.
At the end, the Cala di Volpe a fine, slightly below average 5 star property. What it's not, is some sort of super star that actually provides value in proportion to what it charges. At least we were unable to see the value. I am still wondering what we were missing.
Last edited by michaelr; Sep 21, 2007 at 10:35 am
Sep 22, 2007, 1:29 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Lifetime TE
Posts: 154
We stayed at the Cervo Hotel in July, just a few miles down the coast--Cala looking a little over the top for our tastes. Glad we did, after reading your review; the Cervo--if a little shy of 5 stars--was very pleasant, in part because we did get a PLT upgrade to a very large room with private balcony, and in part because there was no additional charge for my teen daughter with the two of us (uncommon in European Starwoods in my experience). I'd definitely go back (and it saves a few points over Cala and the other luxe Starwoods nearby).
Sep 22, 2007, 2:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bogota, Colombia
Programs: AA EXP, UA *S, Hyatt DIA, *W/IC Plat, HH Gold, A3 *G, Sixt Plat
Posts: 1,218
Man, I'm sorry to hear this! I've always wanted to stay at this hotel (on points, of course!), but have heard that food & beverage are also quite expensive. This hotel was also in a Roger Moore 1970s James Bond movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me."
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/artsc...id=1308&page=7
http://www.hospitalityguild.com/Guid...ive_Hotels.htm
http://www.concierge.com/ideas/artsc...id=1308&page=7
http://www.hospitalityguild.com/Guid...ive_Hotels.htm
Aug 14, 2013, 4:25 pm
#29
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,741
We are considering Sardinia as part of a 2014 trip. Starwood has four properties and Hilton has one, so I decided to start there. First, it's tricky to find these hotels on spg.com. You need to know that Sardinia is part of Italy. Ideally, you know to search on Porto Cervo but likely not. Trust me, the 3 Starwood agents to whom I spoke today don't know this information.
I saw the thorough review by mecabq today on the Cervo Hotel, and knew it wasn't for me. S/he said he would try the Hotel Pitrizza or the Cala di Volpe another time. Off I went to research. The Hotel Pitrizza is sold out for June 2014. The Cala di Volpe is available for both cash or points. But oh, my, I don't understand the points requred to stay here.
All rooms are suites here, thus requiring double point redemption. This is a level 7 hotel, so according to the SPG chart, 35K before doubling and 70K after. Yet I was quoted 140K points per night. I was told this does not include meals. The agent said that the hotel has limited participation in SPG and that there are hotels in Greece equally as expensive in points. Uh - ok? The cash cost is $977/735 euros for a basic room (suite) with partial sea view.
I saw the thorough review by mecabq today on the Cervo Hotel, and knew it wasn't for me. S/he said he would try the Hotel Pitrizza or the Cala di Volpe another time. Off I went to research. The Hotel Pitrizza is sold out for June 2014. The Cala di Volpe is available for both cash or points. But oh, my, I don't understand the points requred to stay here.
All rooms are suites here, thus requiring double point redemption. This is a level 7 hotel, so according to the SPG chart, 35K before doubling and 70K after. Yet I was quoted 140K points per night. I was told this does not include meals. The agent said that the hotel has limited participation in SPG and that there are hotels in Greece equally as expensive in points. Uh - ok? The cash cost is $977/735 euros for a basic room (suite) with partial sea view.
Aug 14, 2013, 5:51 pm
#30
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
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