Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel: Historic 1965 Michele Busiri Vici whitewashed palace on Romazzino Bay with La Terrasse and beach pool

Cascading gracefully down the fragrant rosemary and juniper hillsides of the Costa Smeralda directly to the turquoise waters of Romazzino Bay in northern Sardinia, Italy (just minutes from Porto Cervo marina and Pevero Golf Club, 35 minutes from Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport), Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel opened in 1965 as the Aga Khan’s premier luxury Mediterranean seaside grand palace. Masterfully designed by visionary architect Michele Busiri Vici in iconic whitewashed organic sculptural architecture with curving arches and emerald ceramics, the 100-room luxury haven sits right on a private white sand beach. Featuring the acclaimed Sardinian fine-dining restaurant La Terrasse, the casual beachfront seafood grill Épicerie, an iconic outdoor heated seawater swimming pool right on the beach, an outdoor freshwater garden pool, and the serene Belmond Spa, this property is Costa Smeralda’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished 1960s Costa Smeralda jet-set glamour and emerald Mediterranean splendour: liveried valets greet guests beneath sinuous whitewashed arches on Romazzino Bay before entering the sunlit lobby with bespoke Cerasarda ceramic tiles, floor-to-ceiling sea glass, and chilled Vermentino di Gallura wine. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Sardinian yachting, beach, and culinary pursuits: walking directly onto the secluded private white sand beach of Romazzino Bay (steps away), private yacht cruising through the pink granite islands of the Maddalena Archipelago (steps away from the resort pier), playing 18 holes at the Robert Trent Jones Pevero Golf Club (5 minutes away), swimming in the iconic seawater beach pool, indulging in myrtle and sea salt therapies at the Belmond Spa, enjoying sunset spritzes at the Beach Bar, and reserving dinner at La Terrasse.

Palace living balances active Mediterranean sailing with serene Sardinian wellness: the Belmond Spa features private treatment suites set in rosemary gardens, eucalyptus steam rooms, saunas, two swimming pools, and therapies utilizing organic Sardinian myrtle, helichrysum, and marine minerals. Dining is an extraordinary Italian-Sardinian culinary summit: refined regional gastronomy at La Terrasse (featuring Sardinian lobster, culurgiones pasta, and regional Grand Crus), fresh seafood at Épicerie, cocktails at the Lounge, and poolside dining on the terrace.

Accommodations comprise 100 rooms, suites, and private beachfront villas styled in Michele Busiri Vici organic whitewashed plaster, bespoke terracotta, and private furnished terraces framing Romazzino Bay ranging from 40 to 300 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Jet-set connoisseurs, beach purists, and luxury travelers seeking 1965 Aga Khan heritage, Michele Busiri Vici architecture, and La Terrasse dining in Costa Smeralda should book Romazzino, A Belmond Hotel without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 2,800 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 3,600 reviews.