The Aragonese tower sitting proudly on the adjacent hilltop has no doubt seen it all before, but for me this is very impressive.
Early October. Hot sun. Beautiful white beach. Empty.
Sardinia is like that. Through July and August Italian mothers with their families and kitchen sinks in tow descend on this beautiful island in their thousands. Then, just like that, they are all gone and the island sleeps once again.
The short tourist season is a puzzle I have yet to solve but it means, come the middle of September, hotels and restaurants begin closing so you need to choose your out of season holiday with care.
Fortunately, Pullman Tmi Ama Hotel in Villasimius remains open until the end of October, and it’s half board too, so I fill my preverbal boots.
Villasimius is a coastal town in the south tip of Sardinia around an hour from Cagliari but step outside the town and you are on miles of rugged natural coastline. Pullman Tmi Ama Hotel lies just along here at Cabo Carbonara with its own private beach and over 11 hectares of grounds.
Think Club Med does luxury hotel and you’ll get a sense of what this property is all about. 275 rooms and suites on three floors, 3 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa and fully equipped gym and, included in your room rate, a host of outdoor activities and entertainment.
I have an airy Executive room with an impressive king bed, bath and separate shower, his and hers sinks and a clutch of C.O. Bigelow toiletries. There’s a good size balcony with teak furniture and joy of joys, a Nespresso machine sitting proudly by the wardrobe.
Back downstairs, I take a walk down to the beach. It’s a ten minute walk past rows of colourful bougainvillea, an outdoor theatre (for night time summer shows) a couple of tennis courts, a five a side soccer pitch, and probably the most impressive of all, an outdoor gym circuit dotted around an island of mangrove close to the beach. All the tech you need, with instructions, for a thorough workout before collapsing on a comfy beachside sun bed.
If you’re not inclined to walk, a buggy shuttles back and forth at ten minute intervals, but I thoroughly enjoy the stroll. Along the way I pass alongside a salt water lagoon, home to hordes of pink flamingos, a reminder that this is a protected wild life area.
There’s a restaurant down here I Ginepri, offering a la carte light lunches and traditional Sardinian dining, then transforms into a fusion bar with late night music during high season.
The main food action is back up at the hotel in La Veranda for the half board breakfast and dinner buffets. Really impressive spreads of seemingly endless stations of food. I particularly enjoy the outside barbecue at dinner where various fresh fish and seafood dishes are prepared. The fresh pasta station’s not too shabby either. It’s a similar experience at breakfast; the fresh bakery is a delight, especially the thin and crispy Sardinian carasu.
The outside pool area is tantalising if you can’t be bothered with the beach. I have to confess to falling under its spell in the afternoon, just close enough to the pool bar for an emergency drink or two.
Nearby here too is an impressive Thalassa sea and spa centre with algotherapy and wellness front and centre. However, all treatments and use of the indoor heated sea water pool, Turkish bath, saunas and aromatic showers are chargeable extras.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Pullman Timi Ama. It’s a resort perfect for families with kids who can find amusement and activity everywhere, including two kids clubs (depending on ages and charged per day). But it’s just as worthwhile for singles and couples who just want to enjoy the wonderful facilities and location.
The only blot on an otherwise unblemished landscape is having to pay for bottled water at dinner. These same bottles are available endlessly at breakfast so for me to pay for them at dinner is more than a little disappointing.
Tell me more about Pullman Timi Ama Hotel
Pullman Timi Ama, Viale dei Ginepri 3
09049 Villasimius Sardinia Italy
T:: +39 070/79791
E:H3040@accor.com
Half board packages are available from May to end of October.
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