Well, Well, Wellness - What an experience! - Sardinia at it's best!
I wasn't sure what to expect before we arrived at Forte Village. I had briefly researched the resort and knew a little but the website doesn't always do it justice! After only a two and a half hour flight from the UK and a transfer from Cagliari we arrived to be greeted by incredibly friendly staff and from that moment, I knew I was not going to be disappointed! The Forte Village is located on the South coast of Sardinia about an hour from Cagliari on a fantastic white sandy beach next to crystal clear waters.
I'd like to tell you what was in store on our four day trip. On arrival we were whisked away in golf buggies, and driven Jurassic Park style, to our hotel via the pristine walkways and immaculately kept gardens between the different hotels. Already, we could see how vast the area was. With over 116 acres to explore, I couldn't wait to get started. The resort is made up of five 5* hotels, three 4* hotels and 13 luxurious villas, including the 5* Villa del Parco and Spa, a proud member of the Leading Hotels of the world.
We were booked into the 5* Il Castello, the beachfront hotel where we received a very warm welcome with a glass of champagne at check-in. We arrived at our rooms where our luggage already waiting for us, along with champagne and local handmade sweet treats. I had a luxury room with a beautiful sea view. The room was extensive and the bathroom huge with such a great attention to detail when it came to toiletries.
There's no denying the Forte Village is a huge resort but from my balcony it felt like a small intimate hotel. With so many facilities we were yet to experience, and all within a maximum of an 8 minute walk, what more could you ask for?
After a quick change out of our travelling clothes, we made our way to the beach restaurant for lunch. With a stunning view of the beach, we indulged in the best pizzas of every variety, stone baked using traditional and local ingredients while we sipped, of course, on local Sardinian wines. The Salad bar (who doesn't love a salad bar?) was an instagrammable moment and was stocked with the choice, everything you could wish for included from fresh Albercore Tuna Fillets, Shellfish, King prawns to Calamari. Breads, oils and balsamic vinegars a plenty!
Hardly able to move we were then in for a treat and a tour around the resort from our fantastic host George. Each hotel offers something different and special. They ranged from Classic rooms in the hotels, family bungalows and beachside suites to the most incredible luxurious private villas. Members also of the Leading Hotels of the World, these villas gave privacy, private pools and huge gardens to enjoy and available as single suites or combinable for a few family members to enjoy an intimate holiday together. All within a stone's throw away from all the spectacular and incredible facilities of this luxury resort.
Villa Mariam for example was an elegant 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom villa set over three floors with a huge indulgent marble heated pool. Villa Azurra, a Colonial style accommodation, slightly smaller and next to the beach, was spread over one floor but could be split into three separate parts with their own entrances or as one whole villa, great for a family or three couples to holiday together but enjoy their own privacy at the same time. All the varying accommodations and rooms had their own individual and luxurious charm and suited a range of budgets. Something to also note is all the accommodation has the beauty of enjoying all the facilities, something I particularly liked!
So, that's a little info on the accommodations but I was particularly blown away by the incredible sports area. 25 Academies in almost every sport imaginable including The Real Madrid Football Clinic run by football legends themselves, a Rugby Academy headed up by the likes of Martin Johnson, Austin Healey and Will Greenwood, a Netball, Dance, Basketball, Triathlon, Fencing and even a Marvin's Magic Academy. Wow, what a choice and how many happy children and teenagers in one place! World class facilities and expert coaching all by the sea!
For the younger children, there was something for everyone. For a Barbie fan, they will have the time of their lives in a full-size Barbie house and a superb Super Mario Village with 9 full sized roleplay playhouses including a petrol station, a beautician and hairdresser, a bakery and a supermarket. "See you later Mum and Dad!" I guess happy children make happy parents! There is a waterpark with no less than 250 meters of slides to enjoy, not far from, yes, the Swimming Academy! There are 11 swimming pools (some heated) dotted around the resort amongst the beautiful tropical gardens.
Exhausted and full to the brim of information, we then got ready for the evening and met at the Wine cellar to start the evening. By appointment only, we were spoilt with tasting the various wines with the Chief Sommelier Sofia. We learnt about the wines from different grapes, some even left to mature under the sea in guarded crates. What a thoroughly enjoyable experience this was!
If you are a foodie, then this certainly is the place for you! We were wined and dined like celebrities at the gourmet restaurant Le Dune. With a view of the ocean, the food was exquisite. There are 21 restaurants across the resort with a list of Celebrity chefs and Michelin stars. Every week from June to August there is a different Celebrity chef in residence where a reservation can be made to meet the chef and dine enjoying their menus. We experienced four different restaurants during our stay. Gourmet restaurant Le Dune, Ristorante Brasiliano (Meats spit-roasted over a charcoal grill (this was my favourite!) Restaurant Sardo (traditional Sardinian food), and of course the Pizzeria.
Back to bed we went for, I have to say, the best night’s sleep on a cloud-like mattress! Up bright and early the next day with breakfast at the Cavalieri restaurant, we listened to a pianist playing the grand pianoa and indulged in fresh pastries, live cooking stations for design your own omelettes and eggs any way, fresh fruit, waffles, pancakes and so much more!
Today, what a treat George had planned for us, a morning at the Aquaforte Spa... I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed myself! Hidden amongst lush tropical gardens you can opt for over 100 different treatments, clinics and fitness courses or just relax as we all did in the Thalassotherapy circuit. These six Thermo pools, each with their own therapeutic remedies to help relax and detox the body. With such a high salt density, the first one you could float in like the Dead Sea, such fun!
For those of you that know me, this is not something I would generally wish to do but I had the most amazing time and forgot about all my hidden inhibitions and left my comfort zone, hopefully forever!! There is even a smaller four-pool spa completely for private use if you want a more intimate experience.
So, not wanting to actually leave the spa, we were pried away and whisked back to the Beachside Pizzeria to a Gourmet Cookery lesson for making what you ask? Pizza! Again, we enjoyed the incredible salad bar with our freshly handmade pizzas.
I can't end without telling you about the afternoon Go Karting at the PGK Go-Kart Academy...wow, what an incredible experience zooming round a huge outdoor track under the Sardinian sun and below the beautiful setting of the mountains. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this, I didn't end up on the podium but I gave it a good go!
So, tomorrow is just another day... sadly, the day had come where we had to come home, back to Rainland! I would absolutely recommend the Forte Village to everyone. I never thought this would be the holiday for me but I certainly had the most enjoyable time. It didn't feel like a huge resort, it was quiet and peaceful yet everything was on the doorstep. Take me back to the Forte Village!
The Forte Village has proudly won the Conde Nast Traveller Wellness and Travel Award 2024.
Why not try it for yourselves... Please send me an email caroline.sutton@milesmorgantravel.co.uk, call me on 01242 808549 or come in and see me in our Cheltenham store and I will inundate you with amazing photos and tell you all about it! Until next time...
