The Big Six: Luxury hotels in Sardinia

From a villa in Cagliari hidden away amid forest and foliage to a La Coluccia, Santa Teresa di GalluraA red wave meets a bleached Mediterranean sculpture at La Coluccia, which cuts no corners in the style stakes. Rooms are minimalist, sharp and to-the-point. The pool area is similarly smart, leading to the beach. La Coluccia, Santa Teresa Gallura (00 39 07 89 75 80 04; lacoluccia.eu). Doubles start at €260, half board.

Villa del Parco, Cagliari

The villa is set within the vast Forte Village resort, but before you choke on your Campari, there are secluded spots here. The Villa del Parco is one of a handful of smaller lodgings, hidden away amid forest and foliage. It has just 47 rooms and bungalows, with traditional terracotta features and wooden beams. Outside, a path leads you to the resort's thermal spa, with six seawater baths.

Villa del Parco, Forte Village Resort, Santa Margherita di Pula, Cagliari (00 39 07 09 21 88 18; fortevillageresort.com). Doubles start at €860, half board. Opens 7 May.

La Casitta, Santa Maria Island

This remote property on Santa Maria island was home to Sardinian sheep herders during the 1920s. Now with just two exclusive villas and five doubles, it's unlikely you'll be bumping into anyone you know. Surrounded by water, the hotel makes great use of the locally caught seafood. A particular blessing, as this hotel operates on a full-board basis. Rooms have the full gamut of mod cons, including plasma TVs and CD/DVD players. The skipper will also ferry you to the mainland at your leisure.

La Casitta, Island of Santa Maria, La Maddalena (00 39 32 93 70 56 21; lacasitta.com). Doubles start at €650, full board.

Faro Capo-Spartivento, Chia

Built by the Italian navy in 1856, this former lighthouse fell into disrepair after the Second World War. However, converted last year, it's now a luxurious hotel which sleeps just 12. The rustic terracotta-hued edifice sits on the wild southernmost tip of Sardinia. A decked terrace snakes around to an infinity pool. Inside, large carved mirrors hint at the island's Moorish past; reclaimed oak tables contrast with whitewashed walls; and cowhide chairs and Murano chandeliers add texture.

Faro Capo-Spartivento, Chia, Domus de Maria (00 39 70 68 01 28; farocapospartivento.com). Double rooms start at €400, including breakfast.

Petra Segreta Resort, San Pantaleo

Sunbed fidgets will find this rustic hilltop retreat hard to abide. Fans of spa treatments and gourmet dining will not. It's a hamlet of tiny stone outhouses, centring around a small pool, with the spa as linchpin.

Petra Segreta Resort, Frazione di San Pantaleo (00 39 33 57 06 11 21; petrasegretaresort.com). Doubles start at €195, including breakfast.

La Maddalena, Maddalena

Beside the harbour of Maddalena island, this former navy base is now a futuristic hotel with a conference centre built for the2009 G8 summit. There are 96 rooms and a sea-facing spa.

La Maddalena Hotel, Piazza Faravelli Località Moneta, La Maddalena (00 39 07 89 79 42 73; lamaddalenahyc.com). Doubles start at €200, including breakfast.

La Coluccia, Santa Teresa di Gallura

A red wave meets a bleached Mediterranean sculpture at La Coluccia, which cuts no corners in the style stakes. Rooms are minimalist, sharp and to-the-point. The pool area is similarly smart, leading to the beach.

La Coluccia, Santa Teresa Gallura (00 39 07 89 75 80 04; lacoluccia.eu). Doubles start at €260, half board.