Hotel Flamingo - Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy     

We have just returned from our 10 day honeymoon at the Hotel Flamingo with our 5 year old son. We had an absolutely wonderful time there. We stayed in a Nidi Suite which was suitable for our stay. Our son was very excited that he was sleeping on a sofa (bed) in the lounge. Breakfast was adequate and the usual continental breakfast - bread, boiled eggs, cereals, ham, cheese, pastries, fruit and yoghurts. We didn't have lunch at the hotel at it was very basic and pricey. We either opted to venture to one of the restaurants for pizza or popped to the local supermarket for fresh rolls and a wonderful deli counter. Dinner in the evening was a bit of a shock at first. We were in the restaurant over the bridge and it consisted of 4 courses every night. There was usually 1 entree which you didn't have to have but most nights it was OK. There were then 4 starters and 4 mains to choose from and a dessert table. We are lucky that our son does eat quite a varied range of food but found out after about 6 days that they are more than happy to provide a bowl of pasta for children and you could also choose something from the main course if they would eat that. We usually started him with pasta and then a meat dish. All the waiters were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The children's entertainment during the day 10-12 and 4-6 was superb. We had no worries about our son going off and taking part in the activities. They then had dancing for children from 9.30 in the evening which he loved. The entertainment for the adults would be after this. Have to say it wasn't great but a couple of evenings were OK. We didn't make use of the spa so can't comment on that. The crazy golf was free so we played that a couple of times. You definitely need a car if you are staying at this hotel as there is nothing within walking distance. The grounds were superb and very well kept. As was the pool area (where we practically spent most of our time there)!! The maid appearing in our room each day was also wonderful - as was having fresh towels and bed linen each day. We had a wonderful time at the Hotel Flamingo and can't wait to return to Sardinia.

My husband, daLOVELY HOLIDAY BUT FLAMINGO IS NOT A FOUR STARughter and I returned last week from a week's stay at the Flamingo Hotel. We had a very relaxing break and having read the reviews posted on tripadvisor before we went were prepared and forewarned about some of its failings. However on the whole we very happy with the hotel. We booked a Nidi Room which was very clean, although a little cramped with an extra bed for our daughter. The maids or 'Magic Fairies' kept the room exceptionally clean. The room's location was very peaceful and a lovely outlook onto very well looked after gardens. The restaurant was initially rather an experience as no-one really told you how things worked but after a few days we got the hang of things. Contrary to other reviews, we found the food to be very good and very varied. If you are looking for a very english menu and chips with everything, this is not the hotel for you. There was always a good variety of meat and fish although only one option a day for vegetarians. A description of what the choices were would have really helped as with a child you need to know what you are getting unlike ourselves who were willing to try most things. Sadly one of our waiters was not the most friendly or happy and everything seemed a chore for him however Gigi our favourite waiter more than made up for this. He was always very smiley and was willing to have a joke with us all especially our daughter. Most requests were accomodated and whilst the service could be a bit on the slow side being on holiday, this was not really a problem. The comments about no activities should not have been a surprise as the website made it very clear of the dates these were available. However, bearing in mind how many children were in the hotel during half term week, they could have provided something for them. That said, the pool, beach, volleyball and games area plus her holiday friends more than kept our daughter happy. Francesco the tennis coach has to be mentioned as he was such a character. We had both a 'family' lesson and our daughter had one on her own and we all benefitted from his skill and knowledge. Very enjoyable. One thing we felt was rather expensive were the additional facilities in the hotel. Tennis EURO 10 per hour (very few people using the one court unless having lessons), extra for the mini golf, extra for use of the gym (hardly ever in use) and extra for the spa (almost empty most days). Whilst the hotel boasts 4 stars for its facilities we did feel that some of these should have been alot cheaper or complimentary and at least they would have been used more. There should not have been a surpise to anyone about the hotel's remoteness from the local town. A car is a real must but there are so many things to explore whilst staying at the Flamingo - Is Zuddas caves about 45 min drive, the beautiful beaches along the Costa Del Sud to Chia and beyond, the roman ruins at Pula and Cagliari to see the old town - well worth a visit. All in all we really enjoyed our first taste of Sardinia finding it to be a very unspoilt, non touristy and beautiful destination. Whilst the hotel was not perfect, it did not ruin our holiday. Our main complaints were expensive facilities, expensive drinks and wine in the restaurant and bar, limited lunchtime offering in the hotel (although the local supermarkets had great delis for meats, cheeses, olives and breads), front desk staff not very welcoming or particularly friendly, lack of information in the rooms about the hotel and facilities and hard to get information from reception. The hotel does not really justify its four stars. It did not however put us off visiting Sardinia again maybe just not staying at this hotel.