My article about Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel and Suites, family run beachside hotel in Sardinia

Sardinia, Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel and Suites, Golfo di Aranci. If you are looking for the excellent beachside experience in Sardinia without spending little fortune on posh Porto Cervo accommodation, that is a great option indeed since it has it all. White sand beach with crystal clean shallow waters – tick. Private sun beds and umbrellas provided – tick. Stunning seascape – tick. Cute fisherman village with character, seafood restaurants and little shops just steps away – tick. Add hearty family-style hospitality and great food to it.

Well, Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel and Suites is officially 4 star Superior, not 5 star Deluxe. If you are Porto Cervo adept, please check other Sardinian options in this blog. Gabbiano Azzurro is not a jet-setters type of things, but the one many would enjoy and appreciate, no doubts.

My acquaintance with Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel and Suites started with acquaintance with charming Datome family, my utmost favourite type of hotel owners which are present in the property in few generations on daily bases and involved in its daily life through and through. It truly makes a difference.

Hotel can be lucky with perfect management and staff, happens. But when the owners manage, it is truly precious because it becomes more than just hotel but beloved family home to share with guests, and it truly feels and shows in every detail.

Gabbiano is Italian word for seagull. I didn’t really see too many seagulls around, but second part of the hotels’ name – azzurro – means azure, sea-blue, and oh yes… the colour of the sea and sky dominates all over the place. This is truly a place of azure visible from every angle of view, every window, balcony or terrace, ever changing from light tints to deep, and from greenish to blueish through all possible shades. Azure naturally echoes in the details of interior design too.

I loved that the way from my room to the beach didn’t take more than two minutes. As easy and close by, that you can go barefoot and beachwear clad. Casual, barefoot luxury in its best, yet you can see the villa of Brunello Cucinelli from your balcony – prime location but no fuss. My sort of things!

I would suggest Gabbiano Azzurro as a perfect family beach side option in Sardinia. The beach is shallow, the sand is golden white. “Golden” is not exaggeration, it is really golden: particles of specular stone spark under the sun and it makes water twinkle. Shallow water is safe for kids of any age to enjoy, and it is lovely warm (because it is shallow) even at the beginning or end of the season. The transparence of waters is just amazing. Truly. This is Sardinia.

Another advantage of Gabbiano Azzurro is its location right inside fisherman village. I really enjoyed my stroll through Golfo Aranci (the same as the beach, it is just minutes away from your hotel room). It would be just another perfectly cute resort village, but fishermen still live there and go to the sea daily, so Golfo Aranci is a real place where locals actually live year around, not just colourful decoration for tourists. And oh… you know from where the catch of the day on your dinner table at Gabbiano Azzurro restaurant comes.

I would highly recommend Gabbiano Azzurro to anyone who is looking for something no-fuss, but truly beach-side (oh that beach!), warm, sweet, family curated and deliciously local Sardinian. Huge thank you to the Antonella, Tullio, Cinzia Callegari for very special experience and true Sardinian hospitality. I have no doubts my clients will have the same feelings and they will appreciate it a lot.