Almar Timi Ama Resort & Spa

Almar Timi Ama has no golf course and offers no golf services to guests. The local reference is Tanka Golf Villasimius, 18 holes in the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, over 40 hectares near Simius beach. To play, book directly with the club.

It opened in 2007 and Il Mondo del Golf magazine named it Italy's best new course. The design is credited to Luigi Rota Caremoli. The first nine holes call for a variety of shots, while the second nine are flatter and offer more breathing room; the regional tourist board speaks of Mediterranean aromas and the salt carried from Simius beach. There is a driving range with covered stations and a putting green.

The resort provides free bicycles to reach Villasimius and a sports programme of padel, tennis, basketball, five-a-side football and beach volleyball, handy on days when companions are not playing.

The resort stands in the Notteri area, 2 km from the centre of Villasimius and its marina, on eleven hectares of Mediterranean scrub. According to the hotel the bay is dominated by an ancient Aragonese tower, and the salt lagoon beside it is home to pink flamingos. The white-sand private beach is 500 metres away, reachable on foot or by electric train.

There are 238 rooms and suites. The Signature Suites carry sea names: Turris, inspired by the Torre di Porto Giunco, has an 80 m² terrace; Lunaria (65 m²) has a 95 m² terrace; Coralia (95 m²) has a private spa with sauna; Aqualis is a 60 m² Junior Suite that can connect to Coralia. Signature Suite guests get a front-row gazebo on the beach and free access to the wellness area. The hotel holds the Green Key certification.

Almablu Thalasso & Spa covers 1,000 m² and focuses on thalassotherapy. The Sensory Path starts in a seawater pool at 34 °C with hydromassage jets, then a salt room, sauna, steam bath, ice waterfall, aromatic showers, an emotional room and an herbal-tea room. Treatments use Thalgo products.

For sport there is a gym overlooking the pool, padel, tennis, basketball, five-a-side football, beach volleyball and an 18-station fitness trail along the path to the beach. The daily programme includes free aquagym, yoga and pilates. Children have a free Miniclub (ages 3-11) and teenagers up to 17 a Teen Club.

La Veranda, by the pool, serves breakfast from 7 to 10.30am and weekly-changing themed buffets in the evening, with open kitchens for grilled first and main courses. Solar offers Mediterranean cooking for lunch and late dinner. Ginepri Bistrot, among juniper trees near the beach, serves reinterpreted Sardinian seafood cuisine, with dinner from 8 to 10.30pm. Pizzeria Anfiteatro, a Vinoteca and bars complete the offer.

Cagliari Elmas airport is about 55 km away, and the resort says an hour by car. From the SS 554 you continue on the SS 125 and then the SS 125 var towards Villasimius. The resort offers car rental and a private airport transfer.

• Flamingos in the lagoon. The salt lagoon beside the resort shelters pink flamingos.
• A tower as inspiration. The Turris Suite is inspired by the Torre di Porto Giunco.
• On horseback to the tower. Among the excursions is a horse ride to the historic Aragonese tower.
• Reclaimed water. The resort says it waters its gardens with reclaimed water.