Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi – Review

On the southeastern tip of Sardinia, where the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas converge into turquoise blue waters, sits Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi. Moorish-inspired architecture, 122 rooms, suites and villas, each with outside space, a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Theodor Falser, large all-day indoor and outdoor dining venue, multiple pools and water sport options and a comprehensive kids club activity programme make it one of the most compelling resort experiences on the Island. The Luxury Editor recently checked in to experience this beautiful corner of the Mediterranean firsthand, so read on to discover more.

Background & Concept

Part of Falkensteiner Hotels, an Austrian family-owned hotel group with properties across Central Europe and the Mediterranean, ranging from ski resorts in the Dolomites to beach properties in Croatia. With a strong emphasis on active wellness and family hospitality, Capo Boi represents their Italian flagship and arguably its most dramatic. Originally built in the 1960s as the first five-star resort on the island’s southern coast, the property has been under the ownership of Falkensteiner since 2016, who have invested heavily in its renovation and programming while maintaining its unhurried barefoot character.

Arriving at Capo Boi, guests are immediately taken by its setting, positioned directly on its own private beach within marine protected waters and surrounded by manicured gardens. The views become even more dramatic each night when the sunset casts down over the bay and the buildings’ distinct Moorish architecture, a nod to the North African influences which are woven deep into Sardinian history.

Its character continues inside the lobby running the full length of one arm of the property, an unhurried space furnished with clusters of deep-skirted linen sofas and armchairs. And at its far end, a central rotunda leads you to the main restaurants and beyond the gardens, pool terrace and beach stretching out ahead.

Location

Located on Sardinia’s south coast, the area takes on a completely different tempo from its livelier north. Yacht-filled marinas are swapped for granite headlines, and macchia scrubland, and the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area ensures that the waters around Capo Boi are rich in marine life and crystal clear and entirely free of development. The nearest town, Villasimius, around 8km away, offers a pedestrian area with shops, bars, and restaurants while Cagliari, the island’s capital, along with the airport, is around a 40-minute drive away. Car hire can be easily organised at the airport, and the hotel can also offer transfers and pickups.

Rooms & Suites

The property’s 122 rooms, suites and villas are spread across the main building and a collection of standalone villas, each with private outdoor space. Interiors are finished in neutral tones and natural materials and fabrics, including carved wooden lattice headboards. Rooms come with Free use of the Acquapura SPA, a Falkensteiner bag for the duration of your stay and complimentary deckchairs and umbrellas on the beach and pool during your stay.

Double Rooms Deluxe are generous in size with a private balcony, Junior Suites offer a park view or sea view and a larger open-plan format, and a private balcony. Family suites offer further defined spaces with a separate children’s bedroom, while the villas sit separately and can sleep up to five people. The property’s signature suite, the Capo Boi Suite, sits in the centre of the hotel, accommodating up to four adults and a child, with a wide terrace and panoramic sea views.

My Suite During My Stay

During my stay, I was hosted in a Junior Suite with Park View, 35sqm in size, it’s generous in floor space, with a separate living and sleeping area. Wooden latticework features above the bed and next to it a hand-hammered Moorish lantern and delicate mosaic bedside tables. A gauze curtain hangs to close off the bedroom from the living area, which features an L-shaped sofa and a rough-hewn wood coffee table.

There is an expansive terrace with sun-loungers looking out to the gardens below.

The bathroom finished in travertine tiling includes a large walk-in rain shower.

Villa Bellavista

Set apart from the main hotel complex on a private hillside, Villa Bellavista is a full private residence with four bedrooms and an expansive lounge and dining area. Outside, an infinity pool sits next to a private terrace and pavilion that present panoramic 180-degree views out to sea and the beach below. The villa includes housekeeping, concierge and complimentary airport transfers from Cagliari Airport for stays of five nights or more.

Artigiani Restaurant

Dining at Capo Boi covers some considerable ground. Artigiani sits at the centre of the resort and is the hotel’s main restaurant. A convivial space where guests enjoy a huge buffet breakfast in the morning comprising local Sardinian and Italian produce and a large evening dinner buffet service, which is accompanied by nightly live singing. Tables are available both indoors and out on the terrace.

Breakfast

Dinner

Artigiani Pizza

Sitting above the top pool, Artigiani Pizza, offers freshly made sourdough pizza, salads and light bites.

Kento Bay

And Kento, which takes its name from the combination of the Japanese word for health and the Sardinian dialect for one hundred, a tribute to Sardinia’s status as one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live the longest. This terrace restaurant set directly by the beach, daytime offers light Mediterranean options, while after dark gives way to an ambitious pan Asian and Mediterranean fusion menu by Michelin-starred chef Theofor Falser

Daytime

Evening

Beach and Swimming Pools

The beach at the hotel is a sheltered cove of fine white sand, protected by the curve of the bay, and thanks to its marine protection status is startlingly clear. You can rent boats, SUPs, canoes, pedal boats and inflatable boats to help you explore the water further. Back from the beach, two outdoor pools serve different moods. The main pool for energetic younger guests and the upper infinity pool, for unhurried laps and uninterrupted reading on a lounger.

For Families

A resort for all age groups, the hotel’s ‘Eduitainment programme’ is split across three age groups from three upwards with nature walks, tennis coaching, football and a full weekly activity calendar. Its large indoor complex, Falky Land, provides a supervised indoor space along with a designated kids beach area, outdoor playground, vegetable patch and petting corner – Sardinian donkeys among the residents.

Acquapura Cocoon Spa

Located one floor down in the main building, connecting with the garden, the Acquapura Cocoon Spa offers a restorative space built around the philosophy of reconnecting with the Natural Sardinian landscape. The thermal circuit includes a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, bio sauna and heated stone platform, alongside a paromana pool, gym and yoga studio. Signature treatments draw on Sardinian botanical essences and natural ingredients.

Excursions

The area also provides a wealth of cultural experiences and day excursions and during the stay I managed to experience three.

Horse riding at Maneggio Tanka

Maneggio Tanka Equestrian Centre sits within the nearby Tanka estate and offers guided tours around the adjacent Tanka estate. We took a trail that passes a coastal lagoon where flamingos gather, and then climbs upwards to a headland looking out over Capo Boi.

Jeep tour around the island with Antonio from Serpeddi 4×4

We also spent a half-day with Antonio from Serpeddi 4×4, who runs guided off-road tours that are unreachable with normal vehicles. We visited the Seven Brothers range, where you can look down on the island below. The route takes in many hidden spots and steep cliff ledges before concluding in the late afternoon at sunset with a tasting of aged pecorino, charcuterie and local wine.

Boat tour with snorkelling–local company Pick and Boat

And finally, a marine adventure with Pick and Boat, whose knowledgeable Skipper took us out to remote islands and turquoise lagoons for snorkelling.

Final Thoughts

Sardinia’s south has long been an open-secret with Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi being a truly compelling reason to visit. A protected marine setting of extraordinary beauty. Moorish architecture with genuine character and amenities that suit couples, young families or a larger groups. It’s a place that leaves an indelible impression upon guests and has them planning a return trip before they have even left.