Rifugio di Mare

They take you to the restaurant and hotel in an electric shuttle, a 10-minute ride that makes the visit feel private. The view from up there is breathtaking. The food was delicious too. Definitely one of Sardinia’s best restaurants and hidden gems.

The staff made us feel so welcome and knew their stuff. We stayed as a family of four with two teenagers, and they were very happy. The views, beaches, and hiking trails were lovely, the rooms were comfortable and stylish, and the restaurant was excellent. The wine and cocktail lists were world class, with lots of interesting local options. One of the most unique places we’ve stayed.

The wildlife encounter at breakfast was upsetting. A wild fox came to the dining area entrance, clearly used to people. A teenage girl went outside just to photograph it and fed it cheese, ham, and toast while her parents did nothing. I love animals, but not tourists who disregard nature. I know the property can’t control its guests, but clear rules about respecting wildlife could help. The fox seems accustomed to being fed, which isn’t cool. Our room was spotless, well cared for, and ready when we arrived. There’s no daily housekeeping, and towels are changed every few days. This was clearly explained and understandable for a guest house rather than a hotel. The location is stunning. Following the property’s instructions and taking the staff’s electric shuttle made getting there easy. Walking is also an option, but the shuttle is useful with luggage or after a tiring journey. Kudos for arranging it and communicating clearly. On the first evening, a kind staff member helped us reserve the tasting menu. It was delicious, full of interesting flavors, and carefully prepared. The next evening was less satisfying: as overnight guests, we couldn’t order from the à la carte menu and had to choose a special set menu. The food was still tasty, but it left me feeling slightly treated differently, even though we were staying there and might have been paying more than some restaurant-only guests. That didn’t quite fit the restaurant’s elegant, trendy atmosphere, where I’d expect the full experience as a guest. I respect it if this is a deliberate policy, but meal options should be communicated earlier during booking. That’s why I took off one star. Breakfast was fine, though fairly modest for the number of guests. Thanks for the stay. We truly hope to return one day.

The view was lovely, but I left with a 72€ bill and was still hungry. The dinner menu was very expensive for such tiny portions, and I found the food bland. Maybe I’m not the kind of customer they’re aiming for, or don’t have the refined palate to appreciate the flavors, but I felt robbed. The beet risotto was nothing special, the lotte enrobée de bacon barely had the promised orange flavor, and the “shrimp” dish was literally one shrimp, almost laughable. Tuna musciame didn’t go well with the “three-way celery.” The deconstructed cheesecake tasted good, but was very small. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend the place, since the price is far too high for food that doesn’t meet the standard. You have to take their shuttle to reach the restaurant, which is fun and adds to the experience. But the benches were dusty and clearly hadn’t been swept by staff. The orange-brown dust stained our nice pants.