Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa

Surrounded by lovely garden grounds, the Villa Las Tronas Hotel & Spa resembles a wealthy noble's manor house more than a hotel. Originally built in 1880 as the hunting lodge of an Italian Count, the building was renovated in the 1920s by another wealthy aristocrat to (somewhat) resemble a medieval castle. The entire property sits on a promontory, where narrow boardwalks forge paths through quiet, wooded groves, and manicured lawns. Inside the decadent building, original antique furniture and a posh atmosphere have attracted famous guests like Samuel Beckett, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton. The lobby and common areas are filled with oil paintings, rich tapestries, and statues, setting a romantic seaside vibe that attracts couples for fairy tale getaways.

The hotel is in southern Alghero, built on a promontory that extends into the sea. Its southern side overlooks the beach and the waterfront promenade leading to the city. Most of the historical center of Alghero, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and historical sites, is within a 10- to 20-minute walk from the hotel. Nearby attractions include the Mare Nostrum Aquarium (a 10-minute walk away), Piazza Duomo (a 15-minute walk) and the Nuraghe Palmavera archeological site (an 18-minute drive). The port and the Marina di Sant'Elmo are just within walking distance to the north, where guests can book boat tours and sailing excursions. Alghero-Fertilia Airport is about a 20-minute drive, and the city of Porto Torres is 40 minutes away by car.

The lovely, elegant guest rooms at Villa Las Tronas are individually decorated with period furnishings and antiques. Most rooms have marble, stone, or wood flooring, with millwork and decorative moulding. Despite the classic style and architectural appeal, some of the standard rooms are stuffy and underwhelming. Seating areas have small wooden tables and chairs, and cushions on loveseats match window dressings. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, terrycloth robes, safes, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no kettles with coffee and tea, or iPod docks. The bathrooms have colorful, attractive tiling, and contain shower/tub combos, bidets, and toiletries, but hairdryers are old tube-style.

Upgraded rooms have sea views, and some have balconies with tables and sun loungers. There are also two large suites, named Libeccio and Maestrale, occupying the top floor that can be combined into one massive suite referred to as Zefiro. The Maestrale Suite (and consequently, the Zefiro) has a large rooftop terrace with a private outdoor hot tub. There's also a wet bar, and the bathroom has a large walk-in shower and a jetted tub. 

Amenities at this property are top-notch for a complete luxury experience. There are two saltwater pools, a seasonal outdoor pool with a sundeck that has excellent views of the gulf of Alghero, and a heated indoor pool that's part of the spa. There's also access to a great natural rock terrace with sunbeds overlooking the sea. Along with several treatment rooms, the spa also has a sauna, hot tub, and a Turkish bath. An adjacent fitness center has cardio machines and weight training equipment, as well as an open studio for yoga or other exercises that require elbow room. The game room offers modern video game consoles with the look of an Old World parlor, and there's an antique billiards table. It also has a vintage telescope and an assortment of board games.

For dining, the hotel has a restaurant and bar that has live piano music in the evening. Mediterranean cuisine is served in the classy dining room, or on an outdoor terrace with views of the sea. Free Italian breakfast with eggs cooked to order is included. There's free Wi-Fi throughout, and free parking is available, plus there's a helipad on-site.