Su Marmuri - Ulassai, Italy 

Llevamos tres años visitando Cerdeña y este último verano quisimos conocer un poco el interior de la isla, así que reservamos mediante correo electrónico dos noches en el Hotel Su Marmuri. Cuando llegamos allí eran las 22h (la carretera había sido cortada por un desprendimiento) y la señora que nos atendió no sabía nada de la reserva y no supo o no quería darnos una solución. No sólo no sabía nada de la reserva sino que tuvimos que presionarle para que nos ayudara a encontrar una alternativa pues eran cerca de las 23 h y teníamos un bebé de 4 meses y estábamos en un pueblo en medio de Cerdeña en el que no había mucha oferta de hoteles. Lo peor es que nos recomendó un hotel en el pueblo de al lado "Da Francesc· que si bien la sra. francesca nos acogió rápiodamente el hotel dejaba bastante que desear para el precio (85 euros nos cobró la sra por una noche) La verdad es que la habitación no lo valía. Al día siguiente, por nuestra cuenta encontramos un alohjamiento mejor que sí recomiendo que es il Refugio d'Ogliastra.

My friend and I booked a last minute holiday to Sardinia and this was one of the few budget (50 euros per double room) hotels which could offer a room at short notice in August. We were initially put off by its apparently 'back of beyond' location, so booked only one night. We couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised when we arrived. Admittedly, the location is some hours drive from the Costa Smeralda fleshpots- and a million miles in spirit - but less developed parts of the coast are easily accessible. The hotel itself, while only 2 stars, is immaculately kept , with simply though tastefully furnished white-painted rooms - almost monastic in feel - but the genuine hospitality and bonhomie radiated by the owner, Tonino, and his gentle wife, Elena, made us feel at home from the minute we walked in the door. This is what made our visit truly memorable. Unfortunately the restaurant was not in operation during our stay - our Italian was not good enough to understand whether this was because the 'workers' were on holiday, 'workers' could not be recruited at that moment, or necessary 'works' were due to be carried out! This was a disappointment as the only other option for eating in this sleepy little town was the local (though excellent) pizzeria. However, there are a couple of restaurants in neighbouring villages and Elena continues to serve a wholesome and attractive continental breakfast to hotel guests (4 euros). While the main reason you might plan to visit this part of Sardinia is for the magnificent and dramatic mountain scenery, a paradise for keen climbers, hikers, or simply those in search of awesome natural beauty, the Su Marmuri comes a close second. We had no hesitation in extending our stay here.