Hotel Marinedda Thalasso & Spa

The complex is picturesquely situated on a gentle slope above a 500m-wide sandy bay which is bounded on two sides by rocky headlands. The bay is otherwise little cultivated, only a few holiday homes. The way leading to the beach is about 200 metres through the hotel grounds and via a quiet access road. The beach is coarse-grained, clean and wide, as is the water. There are three typically Italian beach bars (stalls), one directly above the hotel beach. The surrounding hilly landscape is characterised by the Macchia, an island-typical evergreen shrub, which smells strongly and spicily. One bay further is Isola Rossa, a modern marina with its own shops and restaurants. Does not offer too much, but is not without charm. Reachable from the hotel within 15 minutes on foot along the rural road, otherwise, there is also a shuttle that runs in the morning and afternoon. All other destinations can only be reached by rental car or by the tour boat from Isola Rossa.

The service is first class. Well-trained staff in all areas: Friendly, speedy reception, very quick service in the restaurant and bar, perfect housekeeping. Special requests for additional beach towels or pillows are met promptly. A pick-up of our luggage upon departure and supplying a changing room on the day of departure were not a problem. Besides the usual payment system for extra services in hotels of this category (with signature and documents that will be charged at checkout), there is the option of credit card payment, that is best described as "pre-paid VAPIANO": you get a chip card, onto which a credit is uploaded and you can then pay at the restaurant and in the bars. Which can lead to a small queue at dinner. Unfortunately, this does not work on the beach and not in the newspaper kiosk either, there you need cash. Not recommendable.

There is a central main restaurant with a buffet and two a la carte restaurants, including one with a 12 € extra charge per person (not used by us). At the main restaurant lunch and dinner are served. The buffets are Italian, but versatile: Carefully prepared cold entree plates, a salad buffet, 1 soup of the day, 3 pasta or rice dishes in the typical warming pans, 1x fish and 1x meat, put into portions each by the chef, plus vegetable side dishes. Separate dessert buffet with Italian cake, fruit, ice cream and Sardinian cheeses. Everything there is also abundant and rapidly replenished. Quality of the food is good and adequate for a 4-star hotel, but not outstanding. It is striking that the food is usually only lukewarm, even when it is delivered fresh from the kitchen to the buffet. Just in time for the opening at half past 8, a large cluster of waiting guests are assembling outside the buffet restaurant - a sign for a shortage, for between 8:00 and 8:30 you must sometimes wait for a free table. At the buffet there can also be a line-up. At the pool bar you can get small snacks or Italian entrees / salad from the buffet, at reasonable prices. Breakfast is also done as a buffet and offers everything (except freshly squeezed juice). It's a lively Italian atmosphere. If you want to eat in an a la carte restaurant, at breakfast time you have to go to an especially set-up reservation table. Unfortunately, this often creates a queue which deterred us from trying that.

Beforehand: The star is the beach. There is a private beach service, which does, however, have to be paid extra for: 2 loungers and a sun umbrella for 20 € per day in the first row or 15 € in one of the back rows. Cleanliness and service are very good. Drawback: no showers on the beach. However, there is a yellow garden hose at the entrance that can be used for this purpose - typically Italian ... The hotel has two pools. A small freshwater pool in the central area is rather something for the eye for the bar and restaurant.A large saltwater swimming pool, along with a pool bar and lounge area, is located a little further down the slope on the premises. It is a concrete arena, most recently seen in Yugoslavia in 1974. This seems not to be disruptive to the guests, however. Thalasso spa and fitness area are separate, access costs extra (we have not used it). Evening entertainment as usual in Italy (1 or 2 musicians sing loud evergreens, accompanied by a keyboard), but only until 11 pm.

The rooms are furnished with rustic tiled floors and walls with rough plaster, painted in pastel shades. Stone sofa with seat cushions and a desk made of stone. Floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding doors to the balcony or terrace. Functional and modern bathrooms, with beautiful mosaic moulding and natural stone basin. Air conditioning with remote control and works perfectly. Minibar with the usual prices. CRT TV. Superior rooms are larger and somewhat better situated with basically the same equipment. Sea-view rooms are highly recommended, since otherwise you might look at a wall. Many rooms are passed by a footpath, so that you have more privacy in a balcony room on the first floor.

A nice hotel for a summer holiday at the seaside. Not suitable for children or those with mobility problems. The weather can sometimes be very windy for 2-3 days (Mistral), then due to the waves, swimming in the sea is not possible either. Schedule some excursions for this event. Choose a balcony room, do not pay extra charges with the prepaid card.