Last Updated on June 28, 2025 by Eve Dawes
Crystal clear waters, white sand & warm hospitality: Our perfect stay at Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel & Suites
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites is Sardinia’s coastal gem and one of the best hotels in Sardinia, as well as one of the friendliest we’ve ever stayed at. Tucked along the unspoiled coastline of Golfo Aranci in Costa Smeralda & the North East, Gabbiano Azzurro Hotel & Suites Sardinia is a timeless escape that captures the essence of Sardinian luxury. With its private beach, panoramic sea views, and warm, intuitive service, it’s easy to see why this gem is often named among the best hotels in Sardinia and why this Golfo Aranci hotel stole our hearts. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, dining at Blú Restaurant, or lazing on the beach, Hotel Gabbiano Azzurro offers a rare kind of elegance, the kind you return to, year after year.
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Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites amenities
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites feels modern but authentically Sardinian. With bright and airy white furnishings and shades of pale blue for a seaside ambience. The spacious reception areas are quiet in the day but turn into bar seating in the evening.
The beautiful swimming pool (13m x 7m) area has plenty of loungers and a beautiful sea view. We didn’t use this pool much as we were staying in the Pool Suite, more on that later.
There’s plenty of sunny terraces around the pool area to read a book, drink a cocktail or take in the expansive sea view.
The hotels private area of the beach in Golfo Aranci is nothing short of spectacular with calm clear aqua water you can wade out in for what feels like forever and soft white sand.
There is an extra fee for sunbeds and umbrellas on their private beach between June 7th and September 19th. However, for guests staying in Pool Suites or Luxury Pool Suites, the beach service is included in the rate.
You don’t even have to walk anywhere, their restaurant leads directly down to their private area of the beach. Equipped with sun loungers and parasols, they also have a beach bar for drinks and snacks.
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites, Golfo Aranci food and restaurants
The breakfast at Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites was the best we had all trip (Sardinia, Praiano and Rome). As there was so much choice from meats to cheeses, pastries and breads, cereals, fruits, eggs and some seriously good chocolate croissants. What made it really stand out was the view! I highly recommend sitting outside on the terrace directly overlooking the bay.
Blú restaurant
If you’re looking for fine dining and something special, Blù Restaurant is a romantic spot that offers both à la carte and tasting menus. Authentic Sardinian cuisine, thoughtfully curated and artfully plated, is enjoyed on the same scenic terrace as breakfast with uninterrupted views of the sparkling coastline.
We ordered champagne and the tasting menu and enjoyed learning more about the local cuisine while in such a beautiful setting. Food doesn’t get much fresher than this, Blú gets it’s fish straight from the fisherman on their boats not from the fish markets. I highly recommend making a booking at sunset and including the tartare and seared tuna in your order.
During the day, snacks, ice-cream and drinks are also available from the hotel’s beach bar.
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites ‘Pool Suite’ review
This Pool Suite, spread across 2 floors, took my breath away! I actually got teary eyed when I saw it as I felt so blessed to be here. From the minute you open the door you feel like you’ve escaped to your own private sanctuary.
Where to start? This Pool Suite is bright, airy and spacious (40 m²) and the sweeping views greet you as soon as you walk in. The large bathtub in the middle of the room makes it feel like a spa escape and I don’t know what they do but the room smells like one too. It’s also perfectly positioned to enjoy the views.
There’s also an inside seating area and 2 outside seating areas (1 on the lower terrace and one on the roof where the pool is). More on this below.
Bathroom
The bath and sink are in the main room and the shower, bidet and toilet in the enclosed bathroom. The shower was huge and I always appreciate hotels that have both an overhead rainfall and handheld shower as I don’t always want to wash my hair. They provided shower gel (which I need to search for as it smelled fabulous), shampoo and body lotion as well as an amenity kit, toothbrush, etc.
Bed
The bed and pillows were both really comfortable and we’d made sure to book a king bed. The rooms are quiet and well air conditioned. The only noise was from the birds at dawn but I tend to always use ear plugs wherever we go.
Pool Suite terraces and pool
You have not 1 but 2 terraces and this is the suites highlight! One off of your main suite 15 sqm) with a table and 4 chairs and a 2nd rooftop terrace (50 sqm) accessible by outdoor stairs with a private 23 sqm pool and sun loungers where you can enjoy the sea view.
Our suites pool was heated, it’s a new upgrade they’re testing and may add to all of the private pool suites. So you can take an early morning or night swim with no problems which we definitely took advantage of as it’s such a unique suite feature. I’m not going to say more, I’m going to let the photos do all of the talking.
Your toughest decision is going to be whether to drink champagne in the bath or your private, rooftop infinity pool! Or whether to even leave the room at all! I realize all of this sounds like hyberbole but it really was this good.
Pool Suite facilities in room
- Private rooftop pool
- 2 sea view terraces: one on the bedroom floor with a table and chairs and a second on the roof with the pool and sun loungers.
- Bathroom with walk-in shower with overhead and handheld shower.
- Air conditioning & heating.
- Flat screen TV with satellite channels.
- Minibar (charges apply)
- Italian Espresso Machine.
- Safe box.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Hairdryer
- Bathrobes and slippers
- Beach tote and towels for your suites private pool.
- Beach towels available at reception and the pool.
- Courtesy toiletries (shampoo/shower gel, liquid soap and body lotion).
- Shaving & toothbrush kit.
- Fresh linen every day.
- Evening turn down service.
- Telephone with external line.
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites location
Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites is right on Golfo Aranci beach, you couldn’t be closer. There are a few restaurants and a mini mart that are walking distance but we tended to drive to the center of the town for dinner.
We rented a car which I recommend if you want to explore the island and go to places like Porto Cervo (37 minute drive) and Nikki Beach (27 minute drive). The drive’s go pretty quickly as they’re so scenic. It’s also convenient for doing grocery store runs for water and SPF and getting to dinner.
Parking wise, they have underground parking but the ceiling is low so keep that in mind when choosing the car you hire. We just parked on the streets and were always lucky enough to find a spot close by but we did visit early in the season.
What makes Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites one of the best hotels in Sardinia
There are so many features that make this hotel stand out to me and make it one I’d recommend to anyone and would go back to again and again.
It’s family owned and it’s obvious they care deeply and show great attention to detail. They’re hands on, interact with their guests and it’s part of the reason the hotel feels like home. All of the other staff and managers we encountered were friendly without being overbearing.
The location of the hotel was ideal for us. It was easy to get around Costa Smeralda from here but the town still felt authentic and wasn’t too busy.
Golfo Aranci beach is hard to beat for it’s clear blue water and how shallow and calm it is. It’s also not too built up or touristy but there’s still some good restaurant options.
I’m a luxury travel editor and have stayed at a lot of luxury hotels but I’ll be telling people about this specific hotel and luxury pool suite for years to come. As well as highly recommending Sardinia as an island to visit.
Book Gabbiano Azzurro hotel & suites, Golfo Aranci, Sardinia
This Golfo Aranci, Costa Smeralda hotel is an excellent base for both couples and families who want a family run, luxury hotel that’s right on the beach that’s within walking distance of bars, shops and restaurants too.
If you’re looking for even more space than the Pool Suite, check out the Luxury Pool Suite which also has its own pool on the roof but is larger, with two rooms and two bathrooms (but no bathtub in the center of the room like the Pool Suite.)
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Feel free to reach out directly with any questions you have.
