Nascar Hotel

Cute hotel 50 paces from the village beach with fantastic food and local boats to whiz you up to the wonders of the Golfo di Orosei

Come here for lazy days on a lovely beach, for boat trips up the spectacular coast, for the odd diversion into mysterious hills and for some seriously good food in the restaurant. This is a family affair with 3 sisters at the helm: Stefania and Claudia look after guests, Loretta, a fisherwoman, heads out to sea to catch your supper. It’s a perfect spot for 3 or 4 days. After a delicious breakfast in the garden you amble down to the beach, grab a sunbed, roast away, swim in crystal-clear waters, then retreat to a lovely old café for a spot of lunch. Boat trips into the Golfo di Orosei take in soaring cliffs and deserted beaches and leave from the small harbour every day. This a hassle-free destination and a charming one at that - more 1960s than 21st century.

As for the hotel, it sits 200m back from the village beach with wicker armchairs and sofas scattered about its attractive front garden, an open-air sitting room shaded by tall trees. Inside, 12 whitewashed rooms are just the ticket: not overly fancy but rather lovely nonetheless, with colourfully tiled bathrooms and extremely comfy beds. Those at the front have French windows that open onto tiny balconies, while a couple at the back have big shaded terraces. Finally, the history lesson: the daughter of the king of Navarre survived a shipwreck here in 1052 and built a church in thanks, dedicating it to Santa Maria di Navarra, hence the village’s name. It stands opposite in the shade of an olive tree, which is thought to predate the church.

Highs

• The food is divine, the best we ate on the island by miles and miles and miles
• Everything you want to do is on your doorstep
• The village beach, 200m from the hotel, is a cracker
• Boat trips to the magnificent Golfo di Orosei leave from the village harbour
• Golgo, the mountain behind, is easy to get to and full of strange wonders

Lows

• The 2 Executive rooms at the back on the 2nd floor have no balcony, but they are the quietest rooms
• A little pricey for somewhere without a pool - however this is a very popular spot and the restaurant is excellent
• The road through town runs in front of the hotel, but it’s only slow local traffic