In-Depth Review of Le Dune Piscinas in Sardinia, Sicily - AFAR

"Set amid an 11-mile stretch of deserted beach and Europe’s tallest sand dunes—part of a UNESCO World Heritage site nicknamed the “Little Sahara of Italy”—this luxury resort occupies a converted mining warehouse on Sardinia’s wild Costa Verde. Opened as a hotel in April 2024 after serving as Colonel Caroli’s private villa, the property retains mining-era features (including an entrance tunnel carved in the early 1800s) while offering modern, design-forward accommodations by architect Enrico Favero and PL‑AG Studio: 28 rooms (including nine suites) finished with sandblasted Orosei marble, exposed stone walls, and custom Sardinian fabrics, plus seafront highlights such as the Lady Idina Master Suite (968 sq ft, private spa, teak terrace and pool) and a Junior Suite with a private garden and pool. Dining emphasizes Sardinian ingredients and Mediterranean flavors—an intimate red-walled dinner restaurant adorned with murals by Federico Carta (Crisa), a casual seafood spot serving malloreddus and culurgiones, and an American-style bar where bartender Stefano Musselli’s Palomino (blanco tequila, pink grapefruit liqueur, Sardinian strawberry tree honey) is a signature aperitivo—while attentive, highly personalized staff can arrange dune hikes, horseback rides, diving to a 17th-century shipwreck, boat trips to hidden coves, and vineyard visits. Practical notes: the drive from Cagliari Airport is about 1.5 hours on winding, sometimes dusty roads (allow more time), the final stretch is a dirt road, the hotel closes November–February, it’s best for quiet escapes and couples rather than family-focused stays, accessibility is limited by sandy terrain despite some ground-floor accessible rooms and parking, and the property follows sustainable practices like reduced water use, elimination of single-use plastics, and LED lighting." - Jenn Rice