Alma di Alghero Hotel

The Alma di Alghero Hotel tends to attract a crowd of couples and families, drawn by the proximity of both the crystal-blue Mediterranean and old town. The hotel’s minimalist lobby is decked out in shades of cool-gray and dark wood, and outfitted with a couple seating areas and books that can be borrowed. The highlight here is a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the sea and the red clay roof tiles of Alghero, as well as a geometric swimming pool. There's no full restaurant, but breakfast is taken on a similar terrace with dining sets and rattan sofas. Aside from occasional noise due to the kitchen or in-room air-conditioning units, the vibe is typically quiet and relaxed.

The hotel is located barely a two-minute walk from the soft white sands of the Lido di San Giovanni. It’s also a 15-minute walk along an attractive coastal road past the marina and into the historic center of Alghero, where there are a number of shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as parks and museums. Closer to home, the area surrounding the hotel and the coastal road has plenty of nightlife. Expect roughly a 12-minute transfer by car to Alghero-Fertilia Airport.

Most of the hotel’s 43 air-conditioned rooms have a contemporary design that's generic but attractive. However, the 16 Comfort Rooms have dated decor consisting of cheap blue-and-white furniture, while tile, a blue vinyl headboard, and embroidered bed linens. Painted on the walls above the beds are nautical murals. These rooms have a desk and chair, a minibar, and a flat-screen TV. Bathrooms are similarly outdated and compact, with small stall showers, bidets, hairdryers, and bulk toiletries. Deluxe Rooms, meanwhile, are painted in neutral tones with light-wood flooring and furniture, including a desk and an armchair, while tile-clad Superior Rooms are larger, making space for a table, two chairs, and a sofa bed. Modern bathrooms have mosaic-tiled shower cubicles. All but two of the rooms have a furnished balcony or terrace, though only a few of them look out over the sea. Also standard are a flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and Wi-Fi. Note that some past guests have complained of noise from air-conditioning units and other people in the hotel.

As the hotel’s doesn't have any ground-floor outdoor space, the sleek, decently sized swimming pool is set on a sunny rooftop terrace. There are loungers with personal shades, and most notably, superb panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Down a flight of stairs from the roof is another terrace with tables, chairs, and rattan sofas, where the hotel serves a free buffet breakfast of continental items alongside a couple hot options. This is the only meal that the hotel serves, but given the Alma di Alghero’s location, it is not difficult to find sustenance nearby. Inside is a compact gym with weight-training equipment and a couple cardio machines. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.