48 Hours at NUALI - Stazzo in Gallura, Sardinia
What do we relate to luxury in 2026? And how has luxury travel changed over the last few years with an ever-changing generation of travelers? More and more, people want to dive into local cultures, discover hidden boutique gems and, most importantly, experience a personal touch. It is all getting back to the roots that once made traveling so special: the personal interaction between dedicated hosts and curious travelers. So why did we choose to visit and review a hotel that probably isn’t on your typical Sardinian luxury radar? Simply because I love mixing legendary grand hotels, unique five-star properties and one-of-a-kind boutique hotels when traveling. One of these rare examples is Nuali, with just nine rooms spread across an astonishing 19 hectares. Located on the northern shore of Sardinia, it is an ideal base for discovering La Maddalena and its breathtaking archipelago. Founded by Alberto and Lorella, a power couple from Northern Italy, the vision was to create a retreat in harmony with the surrounding nature. Their initial plan was to build something unique for their retirement rather than to generate money, a plan that has proved successful, with high occupancy and returning guests only two years after opening. If you are lucky enough to score a room here during the beloved summer months, you are in for a special treat.
Already upon arrival, Nuali shows us that it is not a typical hotel featured on Luxury Executive. Rarely are luxury hotels nowadays this personal. When we pulled up at the entrance gate, which we initially missed, the family’s only daughter, Maria Laura, passed by and gave us a first welcome from their car. The gate closed behind our rental car, and we drove up to what seemed to be a spectacular private villa among the lush greenery of Northern Sardinia. The road led past wine grapes, olive trees and vast century-old stones. A minute later, we arrived at Nuali’s main entrance, with no signage indicating a hotel or reception.
Yet from the moment Eleonora checks you in, you feel as though you have arrived at a peaceful place in the green scenery of Northern Sardinia. Rather than the conventional arrival process of another hotel on the island, it feels more like becoming part of a family. Owner Alberto arrived to greet us personally and introduce us to the concept of Nuali. Instead of simply accompanying us to our room and giving us the usual basic information, he showed us around and briefly introduced us to the other family members. Everyone seems to genuinely love what they do, and that enthusiasm is reflected throughout the property. Alberto’s daughter Maria Laura is also a passionate host and introduced yoga and meditation retreats at Nuali this year. She is also responsible for the modern representation of the property. On the other side of the house is her younger brother Giovanni, the estate’s chef and proud initiator of Nuali’s garden. The concept is strongly focused on a farm-to-table approach, with most ingredients grown on the Nuali grounds. Even the eggs come from the hotel’s own free-range chickens.
Once we arrived in our room, we were surprised by its airy and spacious feeling. The minimalist interior design blends wonderfully into the recently opened estate, while spectacular views stretch across the Mediterranean and surrounding landscape. The room itself was very spacious, with plenty of room for our suitcases and clothes. There is a fridge stocked with complimentary bottled water, which can be refilled with whatever you prefer. The king-size bed was extremely comfortable, and we did not miss anything during our stay, especially considering that we had been staying exclusively at five-star-rated properties in Sardinia. Even though Nuali feels very down-to-earth and more like a refined agriturismo, as such an estate is called in Italy, it still offers the amenities and standards you would expect from a luxury boutique hotel.
For me, this is exactly where the distinction between luxury and simply expensive accommodation becomes interesting. Nuali does not try to impress with marble lobbies, oversized chandeliers or a long list of facilities. Instead, the property creates a feeling of space, calm and authenticity that is increasingly difficult to find. The nine-room setup also means that staff quickly recognize who you are, what you like and when you might need something. It is a completely different rhythm from a large resort, and after several days of moving between more traditional luxury hotels, I found that particularly refreshing. There is no feeling of being processed through a system. Even small interactions feel natural, and that is precisely the kind of hospitality I believe boutique luxury should be about. The property’s understated architecture and connection to the land strengthen this impression rather than distracting from it. You are surrounded by nature, but never feel that comfort has been sacrificed for the sake of sustainability or design. At the same time, I would not compare Nuali directly with Sardinia’s grand five-star resorts, because that would miss the point. It offers something different, and in many ways more intimate, which is exactly why its appeal becomes so strong for the right traveler.
The bathroom features a large walk-in shower, a single sink, toilet and bidet. Everything was spotless and clearly in line with the sleek, modern interior design. Nothing felt added later or out of place. If there is one thing I would love to see changed, it would be the shower gel and shampoo, but that is hardly something that makes a stay here less appealing and, once again, fits with the property’s strong sustainability principles. All towels felt brand new and were from Zara Home, so naturally plush and comfortable. The same goes for the bedding, which was top-notch.
After such a heavenly night’s sleep, we were warmly welcomed to breakfast on the hotel’s terrace. There is a small buffet featuring mostly homegrown products. Only a handful of items are purchased, such as butter, bread and cornflakes, of course. We were served excellent coffee and could also order eggs à la minute, whether scrambled, sunny-side up or cooked to our liking. The views over the countryside and sea were so relaxing that we often stayed after breakfast had officially finished, simply enjoying the tranquility before heading out and about.
One of Nuali’s highlights is the recently opened outdoor pool, which has a very unique shape. There are plenty of sun loungers, and Nino was happy to keep the drinks coming. The bar menu was well selected, offering excellent local wines and classic drinks. There was no need to get stressed: the Aperol Spritz was one of the best we had in Sardinia. Towels were available from Eleonora and could be replenished as often as needed. I also fell for the Culti room scents placed throughout the interiors, a lovely touch that made the property feel even more like home.
Unfortunately, we missed one of Nuali’s true highlights: dinner by Giovanni using homegrown products. The four-course menu, combining vegetarian and meat dishes, costs around €70 depending on what is available and is considered a one-of-a-kind experience. Alberto told us that Giovanni had worked in some of London’s best restaurants, so the Nuali dinner experience is definitely one for a pleasant surprise.
Obviously, in such a remote location, there was no noise during the night, and I always woke up relaxed. During sunset, we loved having a glass of local wine on our balcony while the sun disappeared between Corsica and Santa Teresa Gallura. The sounds of nature and the surrounding greenery, paired with that unique light, made these afternoon hours truly memorable and proved us right: Nuali was the right decision and a perfect base from which to explore Northern Sardinia.
Considering the price, which was around €330 for two including breakfast, I would say Nuali is a genuine hidden gem, and the high occupancy rates prove them right. Make sure to book well ahead to secure one of the nine rooms. I definitely recommend renting a car to drive around and explore the stunning beaches of La Maddalena, enjoy dinner in nearby Porto Cervo or simply head to Porto Rafael for a drink. Everything can be reached in under 30 minutes.
What really makes Nuali stand out is the low hierarchy and hands-on philosophy of Alberto and Lorella, together with their children and lovely staff. Besides Maria Laura and Giovanni, front-of-house manager Eleonora and her colleague Nino made our stay truly unique. I love when boutique hotels like Nuali go above and beyond to be remembered, often succeeding where high-end luxury hotels, where a certain level of personal service is simply expected, can disappoint. This time, we were genuinely blown away by the warm welcome and stay we experienced here, and Nuali is definitely among our favorite places to stay in Sardinia. We would return without hesitation and cannot wait to try Giovanni’s evening menu too, should we be able to score one of the few rooms and tables, of course.
