Janna e Sole

We stayed at this hotel for a week in September and although we had a relaxing holiday we found it to be far off the mark for a Tui hotel which is advertised as Platinum for next year. On arrival, we found the staff to be a bit surly, unwelcoming and unapproachable although the resort itself looked quite attractive with low rise buildings spread out over spacious grounds. We were given a map of the resort but there was no one to assist with the luggage and so we had to find the way to our room on our own. At night we found it a bit tricky and confusing to find our way to the room but once there we found it to be clean, fresh and bright with a big bed and some rustic furniture comprising of a wardrobe and a desk with drawers. The cupboard and desk drawers didn’t close properly in our room but that wasn’t a major issue and it was perfectly adequate for a week away. The safe was tiny, too small to fit and iPad in it, so perhaps be selective about the tech you take with you unless you’re happy to leave it out of the safe. The air conditioning worked very well and the mini bar was stocked up once, refills were chargeable. There was no phone in the room as advertised in the ‘leaflet’ you are handed on arrival. All rooms either have a patio area or balcony. Be careful with the patio doors, there’s a bit of a knack to locking them and it felt quite insecurely locked until we got the hang of it. There was a clothes dryer outside our room which was very handy, however we had to bring it inside the room for two days due to rain and storms outside. The bathroom was spacious but with very basic toiletries fitted in dispensers on the walls. If you are fussy about your shampoo etc then you would be better off taking your own supplies with you. Also, the hairdryer is very poor. A word of warning, the housekeeping staff will walk into your room even if you have the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door ! After our initial arrival, we found our way to the restaurant where a selection of basic cold food was laid on for us. I had noted on my holiday request for one vegetarian option but this was not taken into consideration and all that was available to me was some bread. Meat eaters were given a selection of cold meats, fish, cheese and bread. The beach was approx 7 mins walk away down a dirt track. We found this walk to be a lovely way to burn off some calories but it was not suitable for elderly or infirm visitors which meant the little land train got very busy at key times. The beach itself was stony but the water was beautifully clear and clean. It was ideal for swimming as it got quite deep, quite quickly. There were limited and very old sun beds available but these were taken very quickly in the mornings and afternoons by the Italian guests and passers by who were not staying at the hotel. However, once the sunbed man recognised us from our return visits, he always managed to find us a bed. I have to say, he was the most polite and friendly member of staff in the whole resort. There were no other facilities at the beach so be warned if you need food or drink or a toilet, there aren’t any ! There were a lot of Italians on the beach every day when we visited and they were very loud, constantly chatting and the Italian entertainment staff laid on exercise classes in the water, just for them. It was impossible to just relax in the peace and quiet.The Italians were also catching carrier bags full of sea urchins every day and eating them on the beach which we found to be quite gross and unnecessary at an all inclusive resort. There is a lovely little forest by the beach which was relaxing to explore and the scent of the pine trees filled the air. Beautiful. Others have commented how poor the hotel beach is compared to other nearby beaches. To be honest, the hotel beach is not the most beautiful in Sardinia, there are other more pretty beaches if you walk in either direction but these beaches are also more busy with tourists and some have lots of seaweed. We visited La Cinta beach for a few hours by booking the shuttle from the resort. Beware, the coach picks up guests from other hotels and takes ages to reach the beach, only to return a couple of hours later.....to be honest, we couldn’t wait to get back to our hotel after that couple of hours there. Although La Cinta beach is stunningly beautiful with Caribbean clear water, it was absolutely packed with tourists. Honestly, we were lucky to find a small patch of sand to be able to sit down. The water here was very shallow, you wouldn’t be able to swim unless you went far out and unfortunately, there was some floating debris ! There were some water sports available here if that’s what you’re in to. We much preferred our less scenic hotel beach. The food. Where do I start. It was basic but adequate. There was not a massive choice but there was just enough so you won’t go hungry. The best bits by far were the homemade pizza and focaccia bread, the ice cream selections and the balsamic vinegars/oils selections....all very tasty! There was wine, beer and water on tap....not great quality.....and useful jugs for those who liked to stock up. At meal times there were lots of tables reserved for the Italians which meant that the rest of us had a struggle to find anywhere to sit. Other English guests were complaining that there was no where to sit as well so I complained to the Tui staff but she just said that it’s been noted previously. Also, the Italians were treated to bottled wine rather than the ‘on tap’ stuff which the rest of us had to make do with. In general, we found the Italian guests to be really rude to the English guests. The Italians would literally push you out of the way to get to the food first or push in if there was a queue for food, which at times there was. The restaurant staff in general were young and polite, with one particular lady who was very friendly. The staff tended not to clear away and plates until you were completely finished everything, so tables became very crowded with used plates but I think this was just the way they work at this hotel. The restaurant manager we found to be very rude. He would never say hello or goodbye to us entering or leaving the restaurant even though he often stood at the door and ŵe noticed that he would not assist the other staff in clearing away plates which needed clearing away, other than on one occasion when he cleared away the plates for the hotel manager who was having his dinner. The restaurant manager would often come into the restaurant and shout at the hard working youngsters before swanning around and doing nothing obvious to help them. This looked very unprofessional and we felt sorry for the other staff. There were two bars in the resort and the management of these bars seriously needs looking into. The first bar by the taverna/ reception area had lovely chill out areas, white sofas etc...but the all inclusive stopped at 6 pm, so after this time everybody headed to the main bar and this lovely, comfy and relaxing area was left deserted. Perhaps, the management could consider making this an adult only area after 6 pm to make the most of the facilities here. It was much nicer and moe comfortable here than the main bar area and it was a completely wasted facility in the evenings. The main bar area near the restaurant was constantly busy and noisy as you could hear the loud music from the amphitheatre next door. Especially in the evening after dinner, it would’ve been nice to relax with a drink but instead the atmosphere was drowned out by the kiddie entertainment and stage shows. This bar was constantly busy, with long queues to get drinks as there was no table service and also the other bar by the taverna was no longer all inclusive. It was a struggle to find seats in this area as literally everybody was here. Once again, the Italians would regularly try to push in front in the queues but the waiters were quite good at keeping an eye on this and were trying to serve guests in the correct order. Once again, the Italians got preferential treatment at this bar. They were served drinks in glasses whilst everyone else was served drinks in small plastic cups, this included cocktails. The amount of single use plastic used in the resort is disgraceful. We ate at the taverna one evening. It made a nice change even though the food wasn’t really to our taste. A set menu of small tapas dishes which were flavoursome but very oily. The structure of the building on the outside was prettily rustic but inside looked like a cross between a children’s nursery and a gym, with weird Ikea type modern furniture and gawdy, bright blue / green chairs. It was very bright in there with lots of lights all switched on and weird europop music playing. It would’ve been a much nicer experience if the decor inside had been traditionally rustic with ambient lighting and more relaxing music. There were two pools. One kiddie one by the restaurant which we did not go to and an ‘adults only’ one by the taverna which we did go to but it still had kids there. It’s was a relaxing place close to the amenities just a shame about the children’s noise. There was also a snack bar near to the taverna which we didn’t try. It honestly didn’t look that clean or fresh. Fast food was presented in out dated fridges and things like crisps / biscuits placed in bowls for all to dip fingers into...no thank you ! Lots more use of single use plastic here which would blow off the tables and around the bar area floor. Botttled water was available in fridges near the main bar. My husband has never been to Sardinia before this trip and he said that although the island is beautiful, he has never stayed in any hotel where the staff have been so rude and unhelpful. Unless you are Italian or have kids ( we have moved on from the children stage) then the staff are not interested in you. It is definitely aimed at families and not couples. I know it sounds like we’ve slated this place but overall we had a relaxing break and hey, we were not at work for a week .....but I cannot understand others who have commented that this place was amazing because it absolutely wasn’t ! I wonder where they have stayed in the past?! Tui, you need to get your act together on this one as it is very far away from Platinum standards, would stay it is 3 star max...and we absolutely would not recommend it or return.

Fabulous, relaxing, welcoming resort which is just perfect for couples and families alike. Food is exceptional and all staff are friendly and helpful. Can’t speak highly enough of this resort and it’s staff.