Illumi's Hotel

English and Italian are spoken by the hotel team, so you can deal with the useful things in English from the start. Illumi's Hotel is a three-star address in Villasimius with the sort of facilities that matter once your dive computer is safely packed away: air conditioning, a garden, a terrace, a swimming pool and somewhere to sit with a drink.

The atmosphere is more practical than theatrical. You have a balcony, free WiFi throughout the hotel and a snack bar, while the pool bar gives you an easy place to pause without turning the evening into a full expedition. For a couple, the combination of direct beach access and nearby restaurants keeps the day pleasantly simple; for families, the family rooms and the larger junior suite make sharing the address easier.

You are in Villasimius, on the south-eastern coast of Sardinia, with direct access to a white-sand beach. Sun loungers and parasols are available there, so getting from your room to the shoreline does not require a tactical operation involving towels, bags and a rental car.

The surrounding beaches are close by as well. Spiaggia di Campulongu is about 1.2 miles away, Spiaggia Cuccureddus about 1.3 miles, and Simius Beach and Spiaggia di Is Traias about 1.5 miles. The latter is around 1.8 miles on foot, while Simius Beach is about 1.6 miles by foot. A few restaurants sit roughly 0.1 mile away, including Pepe Nero, Ayaya and Sa Tankitta. If you fancy a change of scenery on land, Monte Minniminni rises about 4.5 miles away and reaches 725 metres.

The room choice is straightforward: the Double Room and Superior Double Room suit a couple who want a king-size bed, while the Superior King Room gives you an extra-large bed when spreading out matters more than squeezing every last centimetre from the booking form. The Family Junior Suite is the useful option for a family group, with a super-king-size bed and a sofa bed rather than two separate standard rooms.

Every room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a balcony, a desk and a flat-screen TV. There is also a wardrobe or cupboard, a clothes rack and a drying rack for clothing, which is handy when swimwear has had a long day in the Mediterranean. Free toiletries, towels, a hairdryer and either a bath or shower keep the practical details covered. The balcony gives you a personal outdoor corner, while the air conditioning helps you recover when the Sardinian heat has followed you indoors.

A tea and coffee maker is available in the room, and free WiFi runs throughout the property. Daily housekeeping, luggage storage and a safety deposit box at reception add a little order to the routine. The family rooms welcome children of any age, but cots and extra beds are not available, so the room configuration you book needs to do the full job.

Breakfast is the main meal described here, and it gives you plenty of choice before heading out: continental, Italian, American, gluten-free and buffet options are available. The spread includes juice, fresh pastries, pancakes, cheese and fruit. That covers the important morning question for a diver: coffee first, then something substantial enough to stop lunch becoming an emergency.

For the hours between meals, there is a snack bar and a pool bar, plus tea and coffee-making facilities in the room. Wine and champagne are available as well. Nearby, Pepe Nero, Ayaya and Sa Tankitta are each around 0.1 mile away, giving you three named alternatives when you want a proper meal without making the evening dependent on a long drive. Packed lunches are also available for days when the coastline wins over the restaurant table.

The infinity swimming pool, garden and spacious terrace give you three ways to spend a surface interval without putting on anything more demanding than sandals. Add the direct white-sand beach, with loungers and parasols, and you can choose between a proper swim, a slow stretch of shade or the time-honoured diving holiday activity of doing absolutely nothing while discussing the next meal.

The hotel also offers full-body and back massages, with massage services available on site. For a change of pace, bicycles can be rented, golf is available within about 1.9 miles, and cultural excursions are offered. On the water, you can arrange snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions, with equipment rental available. Board games and puzzles provide a quieter fallback when the wind is up or your legs have voted against another outing.

Cagliari Elmas Airport is about 37 miles away by road, with the drive taking around one hour. An airport shuttle is available as a paid service, and car hire can be arranged. Free public parking is available nearby without a reservation, which is useful if your plans include several of the beaches around Villasimius rather than one fixed stretch of sand.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 20:00 and check-out from 08:00 to 11:00. Luggage storage is available, as are laundry and dry-cleaning services, a concierge and daily housekeeping. Card payments are accepted and cash is not. Children of any age are welcome; pets are not allowed, and parties or events are not permitted.