Unless you happen to be the millionaire owner of a superyacht, chances are you might be unfamiliar with Porto Cervo. The formerly quaint fishing village on Sardinia’s breathtaking Costa Smeralda was transformed into a playground for the uber wealthy by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the mid-1960s. Yet, despite a brief spell in which it looked to rival the glamour and popularity of the South of France, the resort’s relative remoteness and slower pace of life saw it instead become the go-to for an elite set that prized privacy and exclusivity over buzzy nightlife and society hotspots.
In modern times, Porto Cervo retains its small town feel despite growing interest from wealthy tourists looking for a change from the Med’s usual summer hotspots. Life revolves largely around the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – home to numerous sailing yacht regattas – and the adjoining Piazzetta with its luxury boutiques and fine dining restaurants. Superyachts, both in the harbour and anchored offshore, are ubiquitous and, accordingly, prices remain high – with homes in prime positions ranking among some of the most expensive in Europe.
But what you get for your money can be truly impressive. On the market with Savills (with price on application, naturally), Villa Rock occupies one of the most coveted spots on the Costa Smeralda. Built into the hillside at the entrance to Porto Cervo and designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, this classically Mediterranean home sprawls across 12,000 square feet with almost every inch offering unbeatable panoramic views of Sardinia’s famously clear waters.
Set across two storeys, the ground floor offers large living areas, including a TV room, dining room and spacious kitchen. This floor is also home to the vast master suite, with private bathroom, sitting area and hot tub, as well as three of the five guest bedrooms – each with a private bathroom and relaxation area.
Downstairs are two further double bedrooms as well as the villa’s main entertainment area, which comprises a home cinema, billiards room, wine cellar and bar. Fulfilling its duties as an exceptional holiday home, the basement level also contains a spa with Turkish bath, hydro massage bats, massage rooms, sauna, gym, bar and changing rooms. The property also offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms for staff use.
Accessed from this level via floor-to-ceiling French doors, tropical-style landscaped gardens play host to a swimming pool, hydro massage pool, numerous smaller pools and a cave with waterfall. Expansive terraces on both the first floor and the villa’s lawned roof also offer further spaces for entertaining, relaxing and swimming. Covered parking – a huge bonus in the quintessentially tightly packed Italian town – is also available for multiple cars.
And with the marina just moments away and the exquisite waters surrounding La Maddalena island at your fingertips, this may be a holiday home, but once you’re there you’ll never want to leave.
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