Lu' Hotel

The Lu’ Hotel is a clean-cut and elegantly modern property with whitewashed walls, great central turret, and cobalt accents that make it stand out from its industrial surrounds. It's set in a small but nonetheless attractive lawn, with benches underneath gnarled trees and a gazebo, and a low hedges that separate the freeform pool and its terrace from the rest of the garden. Inside, an unremarkable lobby leads through to a bright bar with low-lying, black leather couches and bright-orange leather chairs, separated from the rest of the lobby by a display of stained glass panels and giant urns. The restaurant is a more utilitarian space, but being run by a Michelin-starred chef makes it popular. The hotel attracts a mixed crowd: In the summer, it tends to attract more tourists looking to make use of the nearby beach resorts, while in the winter, it attracts business guests.

Although it is in an unattractive industrial part of town, the Lu’ Hotel is an eight-minute walk to the center of Carbonia, and the hotel makes a great base from which to explore this corner of southern Sardinia. The hotel runs shuttle buses to nearby beach resorts in Porto Paglia and Porto Pino, where it has arranged for its guests to have access to the beach -- expect the minibus journey there and back to take roughly 30 minutes. The remains of the Villa Sulcis and the archaeological museum are a 12-minute walk away. Expect transfers to Cagliari Elmas Airport to take approximately 55 minutes by car.

The Lu’ Hotel’s 66 rooms are all bright and airy, decorated in neutral tones. White walls, beige tile floors, generic wood furniture, and tan linens are a bit dull, but famous works of art by Van Gogh and Magritte add some pizzazz. Some of the rooms are on the smaller side, though they don't feel claustrophobic. Although they have balconies, they're tiny and unfurnished. All have low-lying beds, desks, chairs, and small tables, and upgraded rooms add chaise loungers. Also standard are flat-screen TVs, minibars, wardrobes with safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are attractive and well-equipped, with glass shower cubicles, bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries. Higher-category bathrooms feature shower cubicles with hydromassage jets and jetted bathtubs. 

The Lu’ Hotel offers enough to keep both tourists and business guests occupied on-site, plus it has arrangements with resorts in Porto Pino and Porto Paglia to allow guests access to the beaches there, and it runs shuttle buses to and from the resorts. Within the property itself, there is a spa with Turkish baths, saunas, and treatment rooms for a range of wellness therapies and massages, as well as a gym that would put those in most hotels to shame. Outside is an attractive freeform pool in a sunny terrace, with waterfall jets and a hot tub. A well-reviewed restaurant is run by a Michelin-starred chef, and it serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner. A small bar is also available. There are three conference rooms, the largest of which can hold 180 people. Free Wi-Fi is accessible everywhere.