Hotel Barsalini

You come here for a proper seaside base on Elba, with the beach directly outside and the mountains behind. Hotel Barsalini is a three-star hotel in Sant'Andrea, part of Marciana, where the setting does much of the talking without needing a loud soundtrack.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Italian, German and French. That makes the practical conversations straightforward, whether you are asking about dinner, the local road or the quickest way to reach the water.

The hotel has 33 rooms, a garden and a terrace, with a free car park for guests arriving on four wheels. It is a useful choice if your ideal evening involves a swim, a meal on the terrace and very little ceremony afterwards.

The address is Località Sant'Andrea, in Marciana on Isola d'Elba. The hotel sits directly on the sandy beach at Sant'Andrea, with the sea in front and mountain scenery inland. The beach stretches for 200 metres and has sun loungers and parasols maintained by the Consorzio Capo Sant'Andrea.

You reach it by following the northern provincial road from Portoferraio, passing through Procchio and Marciana Marina. Marciana town centre is about 2 miles away, making this more of a beach-and-landscape base than a town-centre stay.

The location suits a mixed day particularly well: swimming or snorkelling close to the hotel, a drive through the island, or a guided walk into the surrounding countryside. A bazaar is also available on site for the small things that have a habit of being forgotten in the luggage.

The room range covers simple doubles, larger family arrangements and suites, so the sensible choice depends on how much room you want between yourself, your companion and the holiday clutter. Couples can look towards the double rooms with a sea view, while the family categories include garden, sea and water views. There are also larger layouts for groups of up to five.

Air conditioning, a private bathroom, television, hairdryer and safe appear in several of the standard, superior and comfort categories. Some rooms instead offer a fan, wardrobe, telephone and toiletries. In other words, check the individual room card rather than assuming that every category carries the same kit; hotels and assumptions rarely get on well.

For the view, the choice is clear enough: garden-facing rooms keep the outlook inland, while sea-view and balcony options bring the coast into the evening. Suites add details such as towels, toiletries, a mirror, telephone and safe, with sea-view versions available for those who want the water to remain part of the room rather than merely the walk outside.

Barsa Bistrot handles both lunch and dinner, serving traditional recipes, homemade pasta, and meat and fish dishes. It sits on a terrace overlooking the sea, which is the sort of table that makes a tired appetite very easy to manage.

The same venue is also the hotel's single bar, with a beach-bar setting and cocktails on the list. One place, two jobs; no need to go hunting for the evening drink after dinner.

Breakfast is a buffet and is included in the breakfast package, starting at 8:00. Chef Carlo Mancusi can create a menu to suit you, while a children's menu can be personalised. A dietary menu is available on request.

The 200-metre sandy beach is the obvious first option, with loungers and parasols already in place. Snorkelling, windsurfing, boat excursions and equipment hire are available for days when floating around is not quite enough exertion.

On land, the island offers guided walks, hiking, cycling and cultural excursions. Boat trips give you another way to see the coast, while the surrounding mountain landscape provides a reason to put on proper shoes rather than living permanently in flip-flops.

For a slower afternoon, Giardino del Benessere is a small outdoor wellness space with a sea view. It offers hydrotherapy, a Finnish sauna and massages. There is also a children's play area, and the restaurant can prepare a personalised children's menu.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 21:00, and check-out is by 10:30. The free car park is useful here, as the hotel is set on the coast rather than in the middle of a town with everything on the doorstep. Free Wi-Fi is available in the common areas.

The hotel follows a non-smoking policy in its accommodation and public areas. Guests under 18 cannot stay at the hotel alone. A separate cleaning tax is payable at the hotel, and mandatory gala dinners may apply in Italian hotels; ask the hotel about the arrangements for your stay.

The route from Portoferraio follows the northern provincial road through Procchio and Marciana Marina. There is no airport shuttle service listed, so arriving by car or arranging your own onward transport is the practical plan.

Solar panels form part of the hotel's energy system through a photovoltaic installation. It is a concrete measure suited to a place where the sea, the beach and the open sky are part of the daily setting.