See the fabulous project my dear friend Laurel Barrack just completed on the breathtaking Costa Smerelda, Italy. Translating to “Emerald Coast”, there is no wonder why the pristine destination is a top choice for the jet-setting traveler. Not only does Laurel oversee 4 of the most exclusive hotels, including the recently renovated Hotel Romazzino, but she has constructed 6 brand-new private villas at the Hotel Pitrizzia.
Located in Italy, between Golfo Aranci and Baia Sardinia on the northeast side of the island of Sardinia, lies a strip of coastline known as Costa Smeralda – 55 kilometers of sandy beaches and coves snuggling the vividly colored Mediterranean Sea. Costa Smeralda is renowned for being one of the most beautiful sailing waters in the world and one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean for yachting. A mini-state within Sardinia, Costa Smeralda has an independent security force, a private fire brigade and a Capital – the fishing village of Porto Cervo, which boasts ancient archways, external staircases and loggia, fronting world-class designer shops and superb restaurants. Porto Cervo Marina lies in a well-protected harbor, helmed by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda which offers yacht repair facilities. Private jet and helicopter access is located at Olbia. The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, polo matches, film festivals and vintage car rallies are held in Costa Smeralda.
The Hotel Pitrizza on Costa Smeralda has 56 rooms including various suites. The three new Pitrizza Villas have just opened on the Hotel Pitrizza property, all overseen by Laurel Barrack.
The new opulently appointed, environmentally-conscious Pitrizza Villas took nine months to build. All of the building materials are one-of-a-kind. They include hand woven carpets; Loro Piana home collection fabrics intertwined with custom-made Sardinian hand woven fabrics; hand-crafted sinks from local artisans carved from Basalti Sardinian lava, glazed Esmeralda green to match the Mediterranean; unique fixtures handmade by local artisans including custom-designed sterling silver door and drawer pulls by a local jewelry artist to look like sea anemone and seaweed; Italian sconces hand-carved out of Sardinian limestone; and local Sardinian falegname- (carpenter) created hand-carved doors and cabinetry. The Pitrizza Villas are accessorized with unique ceramics and paintings all developed by local Sardinian contemporary artists. The floors and countertops at the Pitrizza Villas were constructed with Marmo Orosei Sardinian marble.
The Pitrizza Villas offer ultimate privacy and luxury including the finest linens and amenities, private butlers, heated floors for cool days and cool floors for warmer days, individual private heated pools for every Villa, the latest multiple flat screen TV’s and Wifi. All bedrooms, baths and pools offer stunning views of the Sea, Sardinian rock islands and clear-day views of the island of Corsica.
Located in one of the most iconic locations in Italy, a unique feature of the Pitrizza Villas is that all of the Villa roofs are covered in grass, with granite exterior walls, which over time, will make these luxury, environmentally-conscious Villas seem to disappear into the stunning landscape, while providing extreme comfort and at-oneness with nature.
Laurel Barrack engaged lead interior designer, Joan Behnke of California, to carry out the concept that she envisioned having travelled extensively to the island over her lifetime. Laurel then enlisted Beatrice Bez of Berenice design in Sardegna, to assist as their onsite design liaison. Tonino Fadda of Studio Fadda is the Architect.
The Villas at Hotel Pitrizza are open from March through October.
Joyce Rey is an exclusive member of the Haute Real Estate Network. She is one of only two Executive Directors of Previews International, (Estates Division of Coldwell Banker) in the United States. She also co-founded the first company to exclusively represent properties over 1 million dollars in America. Read more about her here.
