Despite being considered the World’s Leading Resort by the World Travel Awards, the leadership at Forte Village, Sardinia, never rests on its laurels. With the 2014 season set to be another record breaker, BTN takes a look at some of the new developments at the resorts designed to wow guests afresh.

In response to popular demand, Forte Village has announced the opening of an additional luxury villa ahead of the resort opening for its 2014 season. This elegant new 272 m² villa will be the largest on the resort and will be surrounded by a Mediterranean garden, lending it a sense of tranquillity which will be echoed by the villa’s open plan spaces and natural colour tones chosen to reflect its stunning environment.

The villa’s interior will boast an immensely chic décor, featuring original, contemporary Sardinian craftsmanship. The ground floor will feature two magnificent bedrooms with king-size beds, each with their own sumptuous travertine bathroom offering a separate bath and shower; two living rooms with sofa beds with views of the garden; a well equipped kitchen; two dining rooms, one indoors and the other outdoors with a barbecue area, ideal for enjoying Sardinia’s balmy evenings.

The first floor will also offer two further splendid bedrooms with king-size beds, each with a bathroom and terrace providing outdoor living space. The private garden will offer a fabulous private pool split into three parts – one for dipping, another for swimming and a third whirlpool area. The sumptuous Sardinian garden surrounding the pool will provide privacy, colour and aroma. A dedicated butler and personal chef will ensure that a stay in this remarkable villa is truly memorable.

Hotel Castello
In addition to a stunning new villa in 2014, Forte Village is also increasing its luxury accommodation with the creation of a magnificent Imperial Suite which will be located on the fourth floor of Hotel Castello. Covering an area of 250m² in total, the suite will offer spectacular views of the Mediterranean as well as the surrounding pine groves and mountains. The suite includes a stunning bedroom with four poster bed, 2 bathrooms with imperial sized bathtubs and showers and a living room featuring hand-made earthenware floor tiles with adjoining terrace.

This stunning Presidential Suite will feature new fixtures and fittings in 2014. Of particular note will be the hand-made earthenware floor tiles and a stunning new ceiling design. The Presidential Suite terrace will be like no other, offering an oasis of lemon trees, hibiscus, bougainvillea, ivy and perfumed herbs as well as a beautiful pergola, fountain and superb whirlpool tub.

The 30 plus Executive Mare Rooms at Hotel Castello are also enjoying a fresh make-over in preparation for summer 2014. What will make the rooms truly unique is the choice of stunning colours and materials, from the travertine floors to the mosaic in the bathroom, in addition to a new Mediterranean inspired shower. There are further surprises in the super-chic design of the furnishings and the new veranda, which extends the room outwards with views of the sea.

A new, contemporary Reception area will also welcome guests to Hotel Castello this year. Featuring a comfortable seating area, coffee bar and library, this newly refurbished area will feel like an elegant home. Natural colour tones from the white walls to the dove grey delicate wood panelling, in addition to new floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, will enhance the feeling of serenity.

The enchanting swimming pool at Hotel Castello will boast a new look when the resort re-opens in 2014 with elegant ‘washed stone’ tiles in shades of white and sand. The sunbathing area around the pool will also be redesigned to ensure greater privacy and a direct link to the beach.

Main Avenue
Summer 2014 gets off to a great start with a brand new design for the avenue leading up to Forte Village, named after the resort’s founder, Lord Forte. The design will include improvements in landscaping, colour, light and vistas. Forte Village’s wellness centre, Thalasso del Forte, will also now on be opening in winter as well as summer due to the addition of a new canopy covering the sea oil, aloe and relaxation Thalasso tubs. Additional water based treatments and massages will also be available.

New Bio Park
What could be more delightful for children than to have a chance to wander freely and safely among a variety of animals, including exotic species? Young guests at Forte Village will have the chance to do just that in the resort’s new Bio Park, opening in 2014.

Forte Village’s main square and the hub of its evening entertainment, the magnificent
Piazza Maria Luigia, will offer an extraordinary new feature in 2014: four wonderfully chic private boxes located above the auditorium. A truly exclusive way to experience great music and entertainment, whilst enjoying the finest champagnes in the company of close friends.

Michelin star
Forte Village has announced the Belvedere will re-open in 2014 with a Michelin star, recently awarded to this magnificent restaurant at Villa del Parco, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Antonello Arrus, a 52 year old Sardinian, has been the proud chef at the Belvedere for the past ten years. Antonello combines the great flavours of Italian cuisine with local Sardinian ingredients and his own innovative and imaginative flair to provide a fresh and memorable culinary experience.

In addition to Forte Village’s already very extensive collection of restaurants, the resort is opening a stunning new Bistrot in 2014. Open until late at night and set in beautiful gardens overlooking the sea, the Bistrot will offer an enchanting combination of Italian cuisine, live music and breath-taking views.

Great news for keen tennis players – next summer Forte Village will be converting two of its tennis courts into clay courts. The resort’s Tennis Academy boasts 12 high quality courts in total and will be hosting the prestigious ITF Futures between March and November 2014, which includes a total of 40 International Tennis Federation tournaments (male and female).

Offering prize money of $10,000 a week or a total over the period of $420,000, The ITF Futures are aimed at young talented players aged between 16 and 30, some of whom will undoubtedly become the future’s next tennis stars. In addition the resort will be hosting tennis champions between July 21st-28th for the ATP Challenger tournament with prize money of just under $50,000.

Further to the success of the Sports Academies at Forte Village, the resort will be adding a Boxing Academy in summer 2014. The Academy will be run by a well-known boxing champion who will be sharing their expertise and instilling the thrill of this popular sport in all those who participate.

Top of his game in the UK and one of the most well-known personal trainers in the world, with celebrity clients that include Tom Ford, Naomi Campbell, John Galliano, Trudi Styler and Sting, fitness guru Matt Roberts will be lending his name to a brand new Fitness Academy at Forte Village. An extraordinary opportunity to discover the secrets of the perfect body; tone up in summer for year-long results.

Forte Village Triathlon
Following the immense success of the resort’s first triathlon in 2013, which attracted athletes from all over Italy and Europe, planning for the 2014 Forte Village Triathlon has already begun. This world class event is open to everyone – from professionals to amateurs of all ages. The second Triathlon will take place on 26 October 2014, taking full advantage of the spectacular Sardinian sea and landscape with challenging, tailor made circuits for swimming, cycling and running.

Following the contest, competitors and their families can relax and enjoy all the pleasures provided by this stunning resort.

More Information
Forte Village - a collection of high-profile hotels, where the beauty of nature, charm and well-being come together - is set against the magnificent background of the south-west coast of Sardinia. The high quality services together with the captivating beauty of the surroundings have made of Forte Village the ideal destination for families, couples and all those looking for relaxation, sport and fun at competitive levels.

This is also an astonishing world able to satisfy the most refined palates with 21 restaurants, besides the specialties prepared by four Michelin starred chefs Gordon Ramsay, Rocco Iannone, Giancarlo Perbellini and finally the wonderful, truly deserved Michelin star, that is now shining on the talent and professional growth of Antonello Arrus: the proud Sardinian who has been chef for the past ten years at the Belvedere, the magnificent restaurant at Villa del Parco, pearl of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Forte Village is moreover a source of wellness with its Thalasso del Forte: seven pools with different salt density, that become the perfect place to relax and restore balance to body and mind. Lauded as a leading spa, Thalasso del Forte houses the thalassotherapy centre and all the wonderful spa treatments.

Spectacular sport activities are also included in collaboration with worldwide famous players and trainers from Chelsea Football Club, English rugby with Austin Healey and Will Greenwood, golf in cooperation with the Wentworth Golf Club, cricket with Alec Stewart, Michael Vaughan and Paul Nixon. Last but not least, tennis with Rocky Loccisano, the famous trainer of Pat Cash, the basket academy in cooperation with CSKA Moscow and the brand new boxing academy.

Furthermore Forte Village is designed around children and their dawn to dusk needs. For kids, from toddlers to 12-year-olds, the emphasis is on fun in a safe, secure environment. The ‘Citta dei Bambini’ is not a typical ‘Kid’s Club’ shoved off into a corner - it’s at the heart of the village, a city on a children’s scale, run under the watchful eye of our caring qualified staff. The children’s city offers fantastic workshops where kids can learn to work clay, cook pizza and play and dance, complete the scenario.

For more information head over to www.fortevillageresort.com.