Located on the island of Sardinia and nestled within a 116-acre estate of mature pine trees and fragrant, tropical gardens, I did not want to be influenced by the hype, but upon arrival in Sardinia’s most coveted holiday location Forte Village, everything was quickly very clear. With its white beach, bordering a crystal clear sea, it is without a doubt one of the most talked about locations in the Mediterranean, and I can see why. The setting, the tropical gardens with the aroma of pines, rosemary and countless other plants and the beautifully presented and varied menus from a choice of restaurants, innumerable sporting facilities and children’s clubs, Forte Village carefully and subtly curates your stay, and you wouldn’t even know.

The concept of ‘resort’ is difficult to equate with this location. My recent visit concluded that ‘resort’ in this context does not mean Disneyland-style, shopping mall-organisation. ‘Resort’ for Forte Village is simply a way of differentiating the area of the island which has been carefully curated and restored for every traveller’s taste. Aside from this, it retains a sense of authenticity, which is rare in the case of most traditional resorts.

There are 21 restaurants housed within its grounds. Within these restaurants you’ll find 80 passionate chefs, including three of which who come with a number of Michelin stars, each with their own restaurants within the resort, think: Gordon Ramsay, Rocco Iannone and Alfons Schuhbeck.

Numerous boutiques located in main square Piazza Maria Luigia; offer both designer and sportswear by a wide range of international brands such as Cartier, Zegna, La Perla, Gucci, Bulgari and Fendi. Forte Village also boasts one of the most advanced Thalasso & Spa centres in Europe, the ‘Acquaforte Spa’. Set in an exclusive oasis, surrounded by a lush tropical garden, it consists of 6 seawater pools (3 of them heated) enriched with different type of minerals for the most effective, natural, complete methods of rediscovering unity and harmony. The Acquaforte Spa has its own beauty centre, and beauty salon, as well as its own bar, serving fresh juices and herbal teas.

The sea may be spectacular in Sardinia, but Forte Village also has a good alternative. The Oasis pools are three connected freshwater pools located in the heart of the resort with exciting water slides in a wonderful natural setting. For Hotel Castello, Villa del Parco, Hotel Le Dune and Suite guests, there are also two heated freshwater pools close to the sea. Villas have (of course) their own private pools and finally, in Children’s City you’ll find two more shallow pools so that kids can play in total safety.

For the sports enthusiast, there is an abundance of sporting activities for both adults and children. Two concrete tennis courts, with floodlights for evening games, five-a-side and full-sized football pitches, ping-pong, basketball, volleyball and a go-kart track. There is also a daily sports programme, including aerobics. Water sports lovers can indulge in sailing, diving, water skiing, wind surfing and paddle boats.

The entire Resort is also a children’s paradise at Kid’s City. An enchanted garden for children, just a stone’s throw from the sea called Wonderland. Little guests can play with the locomotive Thomas the Tank Engine, the Barbie house and discover the charming Mario’s Village. Imagine a small town square with a fountain, overlooked by nine magnificent miniature houses of 10sqm each. Each house dedicated to a theme: from the fire station to the restaurant, from the library to the town hall, the cinema, grocery store, the gas station and the beauty salon.

I leave breathless and relaxed all at once. For the intrepid traveller, a location such as Forte Village might seem all too easy but I dare them to try it out, they might just be as surprised as I was.

Strada Statale 195, Km 39,600, 09010 Santa Margherita di Pula CA, Italy