Hotel of the Week: Dolce & Gabbana CEO Alfonso Dolce’s Former Estate in Sardinia Is Transformed into a Stunning Resort
La Tiara di Cervo offers 26 Grand Suites with expansive views, impeccable Italian hospitality, and all the comforts of a Costa Smeralda home
This summer is shaping up to be the season for Sardinia with a new direct Delta flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to the island’s north-eastern city of Olbia. The seamless eight-hour journey is bolstering interest in the breathtakingly beautiful island—one celebrated for its white sand beaches, crystalline turquoise water, and distinctive, rustic cuisine. One of the newest additions to the hospitality scene is La Tiara di Cervo—“the tiara” overlooking the glamorous Porto Cervo marina—which offers guests spacious, light-filled suites with all the services of a five-star hotel and the conveniences of a residence.
Set into 24 acres of granite hillside, the complex of discreet accommodations has been designed by architect GianMaria Torno of Torno Team Architettura & Design and blends quietly into the dramatic Costa Smeralda—Emerald Coast—landscape. The two- and three-bedroom suites—as well as one pinnacle penthouse—feature spacious living rooms swathed in ecru linens and with expansive terraces (many with whirlpools) that capitalize on expansive sea views.
Fully stocked kitchens add to the comfortable atmosphere, though meals can also be ordered in-suite, and discreet butlers are at the ready to assist with everything from booking private chefs to wellness treatments and tables at the best local restaurants.
Under the stewardship of hotelier Aldo Melpignano (of Borgo Egnazia fame), the vision of Alfonso Dolce, president and CEO of Dolce & Gabbana, is being brought to life. “True luxury lives where the wild is untouched and where the world falls silent,” says Dolce of this serene perch just ten minutes from the center of town. “We dreamt of this retreat not to impress but to disappear into nature, into privacy, into a hospitality that whispers rather than shouts.” Raffia lamps, Roda patio furniture in neutral hues, teak finishes, and local granite all serve to bring the outdoors inside—with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows enhancing every relaxed stay.
“What drew us to La Tiara was not just its beauty, but its sincerity,” says Melpignano of the singular estate. “Alfonso created something deeply personal—an expression of Sardinia that feels lived, not designed. Our role is simply to honor that, and to allow guests to experience it in a way that feels natural and entirely their own.”
In addition to two panoramic infinity pools, a dedicated children’s area, and a state-of-the-art fitness space with the latest Technogym equipment, the property also boasts discreet dining spaces—for leisurely breakfasts in the main building, or by the pool for languorous lunches. Just steps away is Lu Pisantu, the relaxed-yet-refined restaurant where beautifully prepared seafood-centric dinners (local sea bass and lobster are standouts) as well as house-made gnochetti (a local Gallura delicacy) are served with dazzling views of the port below.
While some days are spent on the property swimming or lounging beneath juniper trees, others can be spent at Cala Granu—a pristine beach just a short transfer away, where coveted spots are reserved for hotel guests. La Tiara di Cervo’s team of low-key concierges are happy to organize trips to town where jet-set glamour and mega-yachts pervade and where restaurants such as Milan’s famous Langosteria provide a starry change of scenery. Visitors to La Tiara di Cervo can also book a day on the water, exploring the Maddalena Archipelago, and specifically, sailing to Cala Portese on Caprera for a quintessentially Mediterranean lunch.
La Tiara di Cervo provides a different approach in northern Sardinia; it’s the perfect jumping-off point for the exploration of the surrounding quaint coastal towns or remote grottos and beaches that are accessible only by smaller boats. The property is also a unique oasis that invites guests to relax in design-led, peaceful surroundings—possibly with a Negroni in hand. This is dialed-down la dolce vita living.