Hotel Cala di Volpe challenges our expectations. Unlike most renowned hotels steeped in history, Cala di Volpe throws a curveball. At first glance, it appears to be a charming, weathered enclave - a quaint fishing village or perhaps a 15th-century castle. This is precisely the effect architect Jacques Couëlle intended.
The hotel's design is a masterfully crafted illusion. A jumble of colorful houses, towers, terraces, staircases, and arches unfolds before you. It appears to be an organic, ramshackle collection that predates modern building codes. Imagine a fierce competition among villagers, each painting their homes in a different vibrant hue, some perhaps even too poor to afford paint at all.
But here's the twist: Cala di Volpe is a complete fabrication. This whimsical world wasn't built until the 1960s! In 1960, the location was nothing more than a desolate valley, far from civilization – a place you wouldn't dare spend the night. Known then as Cala di Volpe, which translates to "cove of the foxes," the area was utterly untamed.
So how did this fantastical village come to be? The story begins in 1962 with the formation of the Consorzio Costa Smeralda, a consortium of Sardinian landowners that included the prominent Aga Khan. Their vision was to create a luxurious and sustainable tourism destination on the island.
The 1960s marked the birth of Cala di Volpe, and it quickly became a magnet for high society during the summer months. The destination thrived under the Aga Khan's leadership, but financial difficulties in the 1990s forced him to relinquish control. The hotels along the Costa Smeralda, including Cala di Volpe, changed hands several times over the next decade. Sheraton took over in 1994, followed by Starwood, the American real estate giant.
In 2003, Starwood sold Cala di Volpe and several other properties to Colony Capital in a multi-million euro deal. Starwood, however, retained a management stake and continues to operate the hotels under a long-term contract.
Cala di Volpe's story is a fascinating blend of visionary design, high-society allure, and shrewd business maneuvers. It's a testament to the power of imagination and the ability to craft a timeless atmosphere, even in a place as young as Cala di Volpe.
