Liscia Eldi Resort is rustic and charming, fitting perfectly into its rocky surroundings. Rooms are all at ground level, winding along serpentine pathways that crisscross five acres of gardens and lawns. The lobby and entrance set the tone for the whole place, with rock walls, curving stairs, brick walkways, and brightly painted stucco. There’s a quiet pool for chillaxing, and one with Euro-pop piped in all day long, where guests can do water aerobics and kids can play. One bar looks over the pool; the other is poolside. Sandwiches, snacks, and cocktails are available to eat at poolside tables or while lounging on sunbeds catching rays. The pizzeria with its wood-burning oven is open for dinner and evening takeout only, and the food is tasty.

Il Portico, the buffet restaurant, serves an Italian menu from a spot overlooking the pool and garden, an ideal vantage point for the ravishing Sardinian sunsets. The wooden tables and chairs and gabled ceiling give the place an intimate feel, despite the large number of seats. Indoor and outdoor tables are available, but reservations are required. Il Portico doesn't take cash; guests must put money on a smart card before dining here.

The Liscia Eldi is located less than a mile from the center of San Teodoro, although the walk covers several substantial hills, and the road is treacherous and dangerous for pedestrians because there’s no shoulder. There’s nothing in the immediate area of the property except the sea, but the hotel runs shuttles to town and to the beaches every thirty minutes. The shuttle to town stops running early in the evening, so guests interested in nightlife may have to take taxis unless they have a rental car. Olbia’s airport is a 30-minute drive to the north.

Liscia Eldi Resort bungalows can be far from the main buildings; if walking is difficult, request a centrally located room. Pretty wrought-iron beds, pine cabinets, charming dinette sets, knotty pine floors, and painted furniture have a rustic Sardinian feel. Bungalows have private patios with tables and chairs. Not all spaces have air-conditioning, and there are no microwaves. Bathrooms are tiny, with minuscule shower stalls that take maneuvering to use. In-room safes are not big enough for laptops, and TVs are small with no English channels. Guests must leave rooms pristine or a cleaning fee will be charged upon checkout.

The Liscia Eldi has two lovely pools ringed with sunbeds; one is for quiet contemplation, while the other is a hive of activity, including kids' programs, water aerobics, and piped-in musical accompaniment. Both pools have shallow ends as well as deeper water. There’s a path from the resort grounds to the nearby beach, and a shuttle runs to other beaches along the shore. A game room offers Nintendo, foosball, and table tennis, and there are two outdoor tennis courts as well as a soccer pitch. A buffet breakfast is served each morning for an extra charge.