If your idea of a perfect vacation includes endless days of sunshine, turquoise waters that gleam like jewels, and exclusive services tailored to pamper you, and your budget is high, then the Costa Smeralda is the ideal destination for you. The Costa Smeralda, officially named Monti di Mola, sits in the northeast of Sardinia, nestled between hidden coves and lush green promontories.
For decades it has become the elite sanctuary of celebrities, entrepreneurs and royalty seeking relaxation and privacy. With more than 55 kilometers of spectacular coastline, it offers postcard-perfect scenery and famous beaches, as well as glittering yachts and high-fashion boutiques.
A destination made of style, beauty, and uncompromising pleasure: if that is exactly what you’re seeking for the summer, here are our tips on where to go in Costa Smeralda to enjoy a luxury vacation.
The 007 Hotel
Those looking for a luxurious stay in Costa Smeralda have two hotels to choose from. One of them is the famous Cala di Volpe, designed by the most sought-after architect of the 1960s, Jacques Couëlle. His concept was to create a hotel that resembled a timeless village, fully immersed in nature. Its fame was sealed when James Bond was filmed here, with the hotel serving as the secret agent’s lodging in the movie The Spy Who Loved Me.
Yachts gather in its splendid bay to allow celebrities to disembark in total privacy, participate in the famous buffet lunch with barbecue, or indulge in the exclusive treatments offered inside the Shiseido Spa. Here have stayed stars such as Mariah Carey and Elton John, who perform during the renowned August gala. This year it’s J.Lo.
It’s a world unto itself that Cala di Volpe offers, just as it is everywhere else in Costa Smeralda.
The hotel commissioned by Prince Aga Khan
The second most exclusive hotel on the Costa Smeralda is the Romazzino, regarded as a true symbol of elegance and privacy. Designed by Michele Busiri Vici for the commission of Prince Aga Khan in the 1960s, this architectural jewel combines white organic curves, arches that welcome the surrounding landscape, and local materials like granite in a harmonious dialogue between nature and design.
It’s not only its aesthetics that have made it famous, but also its history as a VIP gathering spot. In its gardens and pools have stayed iconic figures such as Grace Kelly, Princess Margaret, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison.
Porto Cervo
Where better to spend a luxury holiday in Costa Smeralda if not Porto Cervo? Considered the beating heart of this stretch of coast, it represents far more than a mere summer village: it is an open-air stage dedicated to luxury and the art of living well. Its carefully curated lanes host the boutiques of the most prestigious international houses, from Gucci to Louis Vuitton, from Bulgari to Prada, alongside high-end jewelers and refined concept stores.
The squares overlook a sparkling harbor, where dream yachts become part of the scenery, while gourmet restaurants and exclusive lounges offer culinary experiences tailored for a discerning clientele.
The hotel George Clooney’s favorite
The George Clooney’s favorite hotel? The Pitrizza, nestled in secluded Mediterranean gardens just steps from Sardinia’s crystal-clear sea, regarded as one of the most luxurious refuges on the Costa Smeralda. Here, famous guests and others alike can enjoy maximum privacy and highly exclusive services, whether in villas rented by families for years or on the private beach.
The most exclusive beach club
Finally, a luxury vacation in Costa Smeralda would not be complete without a sun-drenched day at Nikki Beach. This beach club is reachable only by sea—via private yachts or a dedicated shuttle service—commanding Cala Petra Ruja’s bay like an elegant mirage at the heart of Sardinia.
Turquoise hues, pink granite boulders, and Mediterranean vegetation frame one of the most exclusive beach clubs in the Mediterranean.
