Torreuja Hotel

We have just come back from a 2 weekd family holiday at this hotel. I am not sure how some of the bad reviews that i have read have been arrived at. I found the whole experience a lovely one. The hotel was very clean and the facilities were well maintained. We had a problem with the shower head in our room and within 15 minutes of reporting it there was a brand new one brought to the room and fitted with the minimum of fuss. The reception staff and in particular Davide, were charming and helpful and when we asked if we could have a look at one of the villas Davide was only too willing to show us round, even though it was mid day on a Saturday which is generally transfer day. (I should have picked a more appropriate day to make this request but nothing was too much trouble). The staff in the resteraunt were lovely and efficient and although most spoke little English we had absolutely no problem with all our requests. The food was also great. A word of warning though, there is no kids menu so those with little fussy eaters, maybe its not the place for you. My two will eat anything and loved all the fish and seafood which was simply cooked but Fab. We used the spa a number of times and that was sheer luxury. The treatments actually lasted for the length of time stated. In the past where ever i have been an hour massage would consist of 50 minutes massage and 10 minutes relaxing, not here we got the full hour and then relax if you wished. The resort of Isola Rossa is quiet, There are a few little places to eat and have a drink, The beaches are clean and well maintained and the coastline breathtaking. We didnt hire a car but did hire a motor boat from the little harbour for the day. It was well worth it and we just set off up the coast, dropped anchor whenever we felt like it, and jumped it. The water is crystal clear and we snorkled and saw thousands of fish. I would reccomment this place to people who dont want the hustle and bustle of city life, dont want shops to wander round all day, dont want 500 channels on the TV, dont want mobile phones ringing all day long, dont want to worry about trussing yourself up in a suit and tie (dress code is informal within reason) dont mind going to bed at 11 pm and to someone who wants to relax, chill out and take life at a slower pace and re-charge their batteries. After all is that not what holidays are for. I would definately go back again. We loved it.

We've just returned from what is probably the most relaxing holiday we've spent anywhere. (Please note: You do not go on this holiday for nightlife and entertainment). If you've read all other reviews before booking you should not find any nasty surprises: clearly we all like different things and have differing expectations and experiences. However, there are one or two subjects in relation to this hotel which seem to keep cropping up which I'd like to comment on in particular in order to present a balanced view. Firstly, the sun-shade issue. It is true that the hotel pool does not have sunshades. The main reason for this is said to be a safety issue. The pool is very exposed and is subject to very strong winds which can reach speeds of 80 mph. During our 7 night stay we experienced 2 days like this and on those days shades would have been impossible (in fact on the sunbathing platforms further down on the rocks where shades are provided our attemt to put one up on one of these days was futile). However, this is no real excuse for not offering full shades on the calmer days. I also wonder whether the very strict planning regulations have anything to do with it as the Sardinian coastline really is outstandingly beautiful and most newly built areas appear to be very cleverly concealed within the existing landscape. This, for us, was one of the best things about the hotel. The sunbeds do have individual head shades which seem perfectly sufficient for the first and end parts of the day, providing several hours of 'sun-bathing time.' However, for people who like to lie in the sun all day every day then perhaps this hotel would be best avoided for this reason. This would be a shame as the pool is large, quiet, spotlessly clean, has a lifeguard on duty twice daily and is never over-busy. We thought it was just perfect. Food, too, seems to be a debatable issue. This does appear to be a bit variable but I think this has more to do with the English palate than the quality of the meals. For example, there is heavy reliance on local vegetables such as artichokes, chicory and aubergines and a variety of herb flavourings and garnishes which are less commonly used at home. The four courses included in the half board option are sometimes too much but we welcomed these on occasions as it was not always possible to find four items which we paricularly liked. There were always three choices for each course but the menu was not always particularly well-balanced. Therefore either fish or meat may predominate on any one day. We were also not told about the salad bar which was available every evening. We only discovered this on our 4th day. This was a very welcome addition as it acted as a 'filler' for the days when not all courses were suitable and was presented with an amazing selection of oils and vinegars to create your own variations. Food, especially starters and sweets, was always well-presented. Restaurant staff were courteous and helpful, especially towards our 11 year old daughter who, despite trying, really struggled to find much to her taste. The head waiter noticed this independently and, without prompting from us offered her chicken and chips and chocolate ice-cream for the rest of her stay. This, for us, is what good service is all about. Accommodation was spotless and well-catered. New towels were provided daily and beach towels changed once during our stay. Although none of the rooms have either a pool or a sea view the complex is laid out in such a way that all are fairly private due to clever use of shrubs and greenery. The gardens are delightful and a pleasure to walk through. We were a bit disappointed in the quality of the 'sofa-bed' provided for our daughter. I think it's a shame that a hotel of this quality does not supply proper beds for their 'younger customers'. Places of interest in the locality can only be reached by car or tour operator excursion. We would highly recommend a trip to Bonifacio in nearby Corsica, although time there is limited if on a tour. Similarly we would not recommend Castelsardo unless you need a few souvenirs to take home. However, once again we're all different and we found fellow travellers both agreeing and disagreeing with us. We would suggest knowing what you want and then asking as many people as you can before you book to get a balanced view. Overall we had a wonderful, relaxing holiday and would certainly go back to the hotel in the future if looking for somewhere to 'chill out' rather than exploring or seeking nightlife or adventure.

We stayed a week in july. Never been there before, but we think to go back. Perfect place, never too crowded, quite and relaxing. All personnel kind and helpful, very reactive to requests and alert to critics. Maybe typical area cuisine would be better. No sunshields on the pool whatsoever, that' s true, but if you are afraid of skin cancer.......... you better dont go to a beach place!

Unfortunately this hotel is hit and miss and it makes this review that bit harder. Its positives are its location and scenery, its staff and its facilities which definitely make it a 4star complex. Its negatives are its rooms and their ridiculous approach to umbrellas. We hired a car from algerho airport and took the very relaxing and very scenic 2 hour drive to isola rossa. We very pleasantly surprised by the surrounding village and the facilities in the village. The complex is well laid out and the overall complex is spread out around the central reception block and all apartments are accessed by their own door. On arrival you have to make your way to the reception which is a little bit confusing and at the top of a large staircase. There is a ramp to the side but it is an unusual introduction to this hotel and not very welcoming. Compared to other 4 star half board complexes on Sardinia the food here was exceptional. The choice on the lunch buffet was vast and fresh. The evening choice seemed to cater for all tastes but the fact you have to choose your evening meal at breakfast was frustrating. The staff generally were very helpful and professional and they were very accommodating. I know this sounds an unusual criticism but there are no umbrellas on the pool but this is a serious issue. It is extremely uncomfortable to HAVE to lie out in the sun all day and there is no shelter, particularly if you are fair skinned. If you are paying the amount to stay in this hotel it is extraordinary to have no alternative than to lie in the sun. We were lucky than we were only staying for 4 days but if I had to stay for two weeks it would have been a much bigger issue. There are some umbrellas on decks on the rocks which are amazing but they are gone before 8am The room we stayed in (125) was more like a cupboard than a room. It was accessed from the courtyard and faced the road (not busy) but I was unsure of the security. It also faced the evening sun which meant that you could never open the doors or curtains and could not sit out in the evening to read your book or relax. The air conditioning was next to useless and it looked like a second hand relic that you would not expect in a 4 tsar complex. It was very noisy and had to be left on all night as it wasn’t very good The negatives which I have highlighted above were an issue for us but did not seem to bother other people and on this basis I would largely recommend this hotel as a very relaxing self contained holiday.

We have just returned fom 4 nights at the Hotel Relax Torreruja where we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Isola Rossa is a lovely resort with a small harbour, two local beaches and a few shops and restaurants. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and perfect for gentle coastal walks. Nightlife is low-key to say the least with just a few bars and gelaterias on the seafront. The hotel itself is in a peaceful location, a short walk from the harbour and beach. Accommodation seemed clean, modern and was tastefully decorated. Our standard room was a bit on the small side but had a modern bathroom and comfortable bed. The pool area is impressive and was nice and quiet during our stay. Sunbeds were always available although the only sun shades are at the seated bar area. The food at the hotel was fine. We stayed on a full board basis and were happy with all our meals. Generally the food and accommodation compared favourably with 4 star hotel resorts we have stayed at in the past. The reception staff were particularly friendly and helpful. If you want to venture outside Isola Rossa you are going to need a car. The fabulous beach at Badesi Mare is well worth a visit, and you can arrange to take your lunch at Delphina's Dune Village Hotel here (or at any of their other hotels for that matter - just ask at reception). The stunning town of Castelsardo is also worth a trip. Overall we enjoyed a lovely relaxing time at Hotel Relax Torreruja, and would certainly be happy to return in the future.

We stayed here the middle week of June 2007 for one week. The location is pleasing to the eye and the local village and marina of Isola Rossa is a real positive (some good restaurants and cafes). The coast line is also impressive and the sea clear, clean and pleasant to swim in. The rooms and hotel design are fine but there are some major problems too. The hotel will not allow any sun shades around the massive pool area and a limited number in the bar area. There are a pitiful nine umbrellas to be grabbed by the rocks (a five minute walk from the pool) but these are gone by 8AM. Otherwise you have to walk 30 minutes to a busy local public beach and hire sun beds with shades. All the hotels in this chain (5 in total) adhere to the no sun shade policy and it is simply irresponsible. Skin cancer is a killer and for this hotel to expect clients to roast in 35 - 40 degrees of heat without any protection from the sun is scandalous. Unless you walk to the beach, there is simply no where else to go except your room. We were informed by ALL the staff that the owner is fully aware of the hundreds of complaints from clients about this situation but is determined to do nothing about it. The food was hit and miss. At lunch time, the buffets could be good but at breakfast and evening meals, the food was cold and white wine was warm and the service patchy. I would NEVER return to this hotel, although l might go back to Isola Rossa one day. There is a newly refurbished hotel in the town and it comes highly recommended and they have sun shades to boot!!

We wanted a quiet, friendly, seaside holiday at a good quality hotel for discerning travellers. We found just that at the Hotel Torreuja on the North Sardinian coast in the small (and I mean small) fishing village of Isola Rossa. It's a 4 star but I think they rate things differently in different places. If you rated the position, yes, 4 stars, the room we had was a good 2 star, borderline 3 star. We flew from Gatwick, which gets worse every time we visit, it's a hole and should be knocked down. It took 2 hours to get to Alghero airport in the North of the island. The flight was good and the airline staff, friendly and helpful. We paid extra through Thomson for extra legroom seats, they were the emergency exit seats. Alghero airport is very small, no duty free shop, which is worth noting for the journey home. Our rep was good and native to Sardinia so knew the area well and what to do in the resort. The journey was around 1 and a half hours from the airport and we passed through the very nasty Porto Torres, an industrial town on the coast. We arrived at the hotel and were dealt with quickly by the reception staff who were very helpful and welcoming. The hotel looks very impressive on arrival and is tucked down below the top of the hill. The only part of the hotel on top of the hill overlooking the sea is the restaurant and the reception area. None of the rooms have a sea view. The staff took our cases to our rooms and it all happened very quickly. We paid extra for a superior room, thank goodness we did because i dread to think what a standard room would be like. The superior room had room for a small armchair but not much more. I would imagine that the standard room is very very small but then you don't spend much time in there so not the end of the world. The decor in the room (our bedroom) was a bit tired and the room smelt like it could have done with an airing before we had it. The bed was quite firm and the sheets and pillows lovely. We like two pillows so asked for an additional one which arrived the next morning. The decor in the indoor bar was dated and tired. The furniture in the main areas was old and tired, ugly and uncomfortable. The shower was a bit temperamental and the water pressure was rubbish. We didn't really mind but we think the cleaner must have noticed it wasn't quite right and that day the maintenance man was in there fiddling about with it. That night we couldn't get any hot water so the maintenance man came back and sorted it out, although the shower was still very tricky to get just right, a nudge too far one way and you could have taken the top layer of skin off! We paid for half board and have to say it was a really good decision. Mainly because the food was superb and a very high standard with a great variety of local dishes but also because there really wasn't very much going on in Isola Rossa apart from a couple of pizza restaurants, a few cafes and two supermarkets. There were also a couple of gift shops, a diving shop and a book shop. Unfortunately the book shop didn't sell any English language books and I was desperate for a new read as I'd read all of the books at the hotel, all 2 of them! Not grumbling, my own fault for not packing more! Anyway back to the food.... We have always been very wary of hotels and the half board option, simply because we can't stand International Buffets and all that entails. Pork chops with mustard sauce, chicken in red wine, watery vegetables and that stink of gas burners as the giant stainless steel thingys do their worst to the already overcooked food within. No need to worry here. Although there were a couple of nights a week when there were buffets available, it was all local food and all perfectly cooked. Generally though it was a 4 course meal in the evening and we were given the menu at breakfast and asked to decide what we wanted for dinner. Some people struggled with this but we didn't. We had a good breakfast aswell. Local produce again including fruit, pastries, meats and fresh bread. The bread was beautiful, so fresh and tasty, I had bread and local jam every morning. The pool bar served pannini's at lunchtime and the staff there were particularly friendly and helpful. They also make a mean cappuccino, like no other I've tasted. The pool is a saltwater pool and the saltwater is pumped up from the sea below. To be honest this was about the only downside to the position of the hotel, that it wasn't on the same level as the sea and if you are a little unsteady on your feet it can be a bit hairy getting down to the platforms (sunbathing decks) that are dotted about in the rocks. These are wonderful though and their position is amazing and allowed us to simply sit and stare at the sea all day, we couldn't have been more relaxed, it was fantastic. We popped up to the pool bar for a take away pannini and cappuccino and skulked back down to the deck for an afternoon of gull/wave and small boat watching. Simple pleasures! A walk past the platforms and on for about 20 minutes brings you to the beach at Marrineda. There is a charge here for sunbeds and an umbrella, we paid 12 euro's for a day's use but you can pay for half a day. The beach attendants are very professional and will regularly sweep for litter with their fishing nets and they will also bash the beds and fluff up towels when you go for some lunch. It is very lovely and has a wonderful white sand beach with beautiful water, a few beach restaurants and many many hawkers, trying to sell you everything from necklaces to cheese (yes, pecorino on the beach!) but they were all very pleasant and I can recommend the massage from one of the ladies that visit every day. Very reasonable too, massage in the sunshine, watching the waves bashing down on the shore, does it get much better than this. We had a lovely time and we will be going back. We would recommend it to friends and family but will probably go for a deluxe room next time. Happy Holidays!

Set in a beautifully sculptured mediterranian landscape this hotel boasts wonderful views of the sea and the local Aragonese tower. The sunsets are truely magical when viewed from sea-water pool or the rocky beach below the hotel. However, before booking a holiday here there are several things you need to know. The food is appaling both in terms of the menu selection and the quality on the plate. I have never eaten this badly in a hotel in Italy. Given that all the brochures and web sites that advertise this hotel make special note of the food I think it's important that travelers understand that this is not a hotel for foodies. The other point that the hotel brochures and web sites mention is that there are two restaurants. There are not. There is a roof terrace but it only seats 40 and competition is fierce -expect to sit up there perhaps twice during a weeks stay. If you do get a spot on the roof terrace you will enjoy an amanzing view of the sunset, which will unfortunately be marred by the very limited service available. There is no choice for diners on the roof terrace, you will simply have to have the meal of the day with no options for any of the 4 courses. The drinks and spirits selection is also very limited with only a few wines and spirits on offer. The food itself on the terrace comes from the same kitchen as the main dining area on the ground floor and is of just as poor quality if not worse. The worst meal of our stay was on the roof terrace. Overall I would recomend this hotel only to those who are not at all interested in food. Unfortunately, no B&B options are available which means that those seeking decent food will go searching for somewhere else to eat by the third day.

We had booked in for 4 night stay but cancelled our reservation after 2 days. The best aspect of this hotel is the pool which is good, but bedrooms are poor - not 4 star and food was v disappointing. The menu choice for dinner was v limited and most guests were either missing courses or not finishing meals. Reception was mixed with attempt to overcharge. We moved to Hotel Corallo nearby which has been recently refurbished and much better option - family run hotel with good food - ask for terrace overlooking harbour.

we spent our silver wedding anniversary relaxing at the Hotel relax Torreruja. The hotel is in a lovely spot with views out to sea with pink rocks and lots of wild flowers. The surrounding area is very beautiful, we took some lovely walks. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful. The hotel, gardens and rooms are well cared for. The room was a little basic with no tea or coffee making facilities, but the bed was comfortable. The food was very good and well presented. Fillipo the barman was very friendly and make good cocktails. We had a wonderful holiday. We would recommend this hotel. Sandra & Kevin Brown Holt Norfolk England.