it’s A Perspective. See it Through Ours., Luxury isn’t A Place / Le Dune Resort And SPA, Sardinia in Italy / By Rachel Ducker

There are family holidays that make life easier, and then there are holidays that gently remind you how restorative travel can be when every detail has been considered.

Le Dune Resort and Spa is a stunning five-star hotel located on the North coast of Sardinia and is part of the prestigious Delphina Hotels and Resorts collection.

Refined island luxury has never been so accessible to families who want it all.

A beautifully designed resort that offers space, natural landscape, luxury and ease to families and children of all ages.

A resort designed around space, privacy and ease

Travelling as a family of five, practicality matters, but at Le Dune, practicality comes with style. There are five individual hotels on the resort each with it’s own atmosphere, but all share the amenities and restaurants on site.

We stayed at Le Rocce, our interconnecting rooms were positioned close to the pool, which made family life effortless. After our swim we would dry off and have a snack or even dinner at the bar.

Having a room that consisted of two separate rooms, each with its own bathroom, was perfect for our family of five.

There are many long winding paths through beautiful greenery and lots of very stylish rooms that blend into the existing architecture. The resort is spacious, but it does not feel in any way impersonal.

In many ways it is the complete antithesis of this and has a very laid-back feel to it, which makes it perfect for families.

Le Sabine: the resort’s most exclusive side

For those looking for a more elevated experience, Le Sabine is perhaps the resort’s most refined offering.

The newest addition to Le Dune Resort, Le Sabine has a more refined and peaceful atmosphere that provides a sense of space and seclusion for its guests, whether they are couples celebrating a special occasion or families with multiple generations.

With its emphasis on wellness, relaxation and luxury, Le Sabine provides a unique and memorable holiday experience at the top end of the market. It will suit travellers seeking a luxury holiday that is not losing the Sardinian roots and also warmth of service.

Spa rituals rooted in Sardinia

One of the big luxuries of Le Dune is that we could go off on our own and have some adult time.

Thanks to the excellent kids’ clubs and the babysitting services provided by the hotel, we were able to leave the children to their own devices and escape to the Le Sabine Wellness Centre and Spa.

A peaceful haven, perfectly equipped for the resort’s adult guests, the spa offers a range of Sardinian-inspired treatments and facilities that focus on wellbeing, hydrotherapy.

The Sun Ritual is one of said treatments offered by the spa – using the finest, natural ingredients, it is specifically designed to nourish and care for skin that has been exposed to the sun.

I was treated to a rich butter body scrub followed by a deeply relaxing massage using the freshest Sardinian pompia oils, the locally-grown grapefruit, which is highly prized for its fresh aroma and is used in many treatments throughout the island to not only relax and calm the body, but also to leave the skin with a healthy summer glow.

After busy months of work, family life and travel, it was exactly the kind of restorative luxury that turns a good holiday into a memorable one.

Dining across 10 restaurants

Food is another area where Le Dune impresses. With 10 restaurants to choose from, you are never going to get bored. The variety of venues and cuisine on offer means that you can have a different dining experience every night.

Whether you are after a casual family meal or a more refined à la carte experience, Le Dune has got it covered. We particularly enjoyed the beachside restaurant, where the setting did much of the talking: sea air, soft light and that unmistakable Sardinian coastline as the backdrop.

The seafood restaurant, Scorfano, was a highlight, offering fresh fish and a more refined taste of the island.

For a more intimate dinner, La Romantica delivered the kind of elegant à la carte experience that makes you want to linger a little longer over wine and conversation.

The breakfast buffet was huge with lots of freshly prepared and cooked items and the chocolate pastries became the children’s breakfast treat of choice.

Family luxury without compromise

What we liked most about Le Dune was that there was no compromise when it came to a luxury holiday for families. The kids’ clubs, babysitting, pools, restaurants and activities are all of a high standard and well run.

The children’s areas are impressive, with dedicated clubs, entertainment, play spaces and activities for different age groups. The resort has multiple swimming pools, including pools particularly suited to younger guests, and enough variety across the grounds to keep children entertained without parents feeling overwhelmed.

For us, one of the most special memories was watching our son learn to swim independently in one of the pools.

It was one of those small but unforgettable family milestones that will forever be tied to this trip.

A private beach and Sardinia’s famous sea

Of course, one of Sardinia’s greatest luxuries is the sea itself. Access to a beautiful private beach is a major draw for Le Dune – the water is as clear and turquoise as you would hope and the sand is soft. The pools are also excellent, particularly for younger children.

The resort also enabled us to get under the skin of Sardinia as a whole. We were recommended to visit Castelsardo (around 30 minutes from Le Dune) which is a stunning old town set into a hill.

It has the narrowest of cobbled streets and is home to local artisans as well as being the filming location for The Little Mermaid. From rooftop to rooftop the views are breath-taking and the feeling of having discovered a true gem of a place has stayed with us.

Service that feels personal

Luxury is not only about having lots of facilities available to you, more importantly, it is about having good service, and at Delphina they really get this right.

Staff are attentive, warm and thoughtful throughout the resort, from the restaurant, kids club, and spa, to the housekeeping and porters. This means that every aspect of the holiday can be relaxing and personal to you.

When touring Delphina’s other properties, including the grounds of Le Dune, I was particularly interested to see the gardens where the hotel grows its own produce to serve in the hotel’s restaurants.

Sustainability is important to them and this emphasis on local produce is reflected in the various sports facilities that Delphina offers its guests and also the beautiful new hotel, Le Sabine.

Getting there

If flying into Olbia Airport, it is worth noting that the journey to the resort takes around an hour and a half by road.

We hired a car, but had a poor experience with the rental company, so my advice would be to arrange a transfer directly through the hotel where possible. After a flight, particularly with children, it would make for a far smoother and more luxurious arrival.

In a nutshell

Le Dune Resort and Spa is, in our opinion, one of the few hotels that have managed to create a luxury family holiday where every family member is given the attention and respect they deserve.

The children can have their own space and activity, and their parents can relax, be pampered in a great spa, with a great restaurant and a wonderful setting to unwind and be truly relaxed.

For families seeking luxury, ease and an authentic taste of Sardinia, this is a resort that delivers beautifully.

Factbox

Address: Loc, 07030 Li Junchi OT, Italy
Phone: +39 0789 790340
Website: resortledune.com

Which hotel is best?

For luxury and wellness: Le Sabine

For the ultimate beachfront location: La Duna Bianca

For peace and relaxation: Le Rocce

For larger families: I Ginepri

For families with younger children: Le Palme