COLONNA GRAND HOTEL CAPO TESTA, a Colonna Luxury Beach Hotel, Santa Teresa Sardegna

The staff were exceptionally kind and helpful, and the location was definitely a highlight during our pleasant week here in June. We did feel a few things could be better for a hotel presenting itself as five-star. The property could use some renovation. The breakfast room is on the lower ground floor and feels enclosed, with little natural light, which makes it a bit gloomy. We were surprised that Nespresso capsules in the room cost extra, and it felt out of place for a five-star hotel. The charge wasn't clearly explained beforehand, and we only found out at checkout, which was disappointing. Bottled water was complimentary only on arrival. We think a bottle per guest should be included each day, as it is in many luxury hotels. The gym wasn't air-conditioned, even with outside temperatures over 30°C, making it uncomfortable to use. We also expected an open-air dining option with a pleasant view, but dinner was served in the same area as breakfast, which lacked atmosphere and didn't feel like a five-star dining experience. We hope this feedback is useful, as the hotel has great potential and we really appreciated the staff's hospitality.

The location was perfect, but the room let us down. It felt uncomfortable and smelled musty until we asked for a thorough clean and refresh. The bed setup wasn't good either, from the mattress to the pillows and cover, and the toilet was too small.

Dinner was the standout for us. We booked half board, and the menu was amazing, with very fresh, carefully prepared ingredients. It felt like eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant each night. The staff were polite and friendly, and the sea was beautiful and very clean. Hotel guests had reserved private sunbeds and an umbrella. The location was wonderful, though the rooms, especially the toilet, could be criticized for being a bit small. We had an over-the-top experience.

The private beach area is lovely, and the pools are great. We also found the hotel very clean and its location amazing. We didn't try the spa or gym, though they looked fine. Staff were welcoming, and breakfast each day was a big buffet with eggs cooked to order. We ate at local restaurants every night except one. There are several within a 20-minute walk, and we preferred them to the hotel dinner, where the service was slower, we had to sit indoors, and the food quality disappointed us. The pool bar was good, with drinks brought to our loungers and nibbles served alongside. The shuttle to SMG was handy. A one-way taxi for the same trip had cost €35. The first shuttle leaves at 10am and the last return is at 7pm, with other trips in between. We'd definitely come back. I don't think the negative reviews I saw beforehand were warranted.