Do you remember the the Waltons? For those who are too young it was set on a farm, in America.The family were very family orientated and at night all of them called out Goodnight to each other. John Boy was the name of one of the sons.
Sardinia is such a beautiful island that we decided to return and explore more of the island last September. We organised a fantastic apartment and booked flights to Alghero, which was on the opposite side of the island, but it was much cheaper than flying into Olbia. Arriving early morning, we had all day to drive to the east coast and enjoy the scenery, but decided to spend a few days at Alghero before returning home. Having browsed the hotels on the internet, we settled on the Hotel Calabona, which was on the edge of the town and we were planning to drive south before crossing to the west coast it should be easy to find!
Wonderful! It was so easy to find as we came along the coast road from Bosa
, we turned into the drive and had plenty of parking to choose from, some spaces covered with a wooden roof covered in wonderful flowers, which we decided would keep the car out of the sun. Check in was after 1.00pm and it was now after 2.00 and still very hot. Strolling over to the main entrance with our cases, we admired the pretty gardens and the sea view and an amazing
tent like structure called "Le Vele", where meals were sometimes served. The building is white and traditional in style.
The reception/ lounge area or the lobby as they describe it, felt pleasantly cool, low settees and chairs were available to relax in and some glass show cases displaying local handcrafts. We were quickly greeted and booked in, the receptionist spoke good English but I think was actually German that day. Someone else took our cases and then took us to the lift, rather small for 3 adults and 2 cases! And we hurtled up a couple of floors. The corridors were carpeted but with marble tiles at the edges, and we went through a door back into the sun on a large terrace, and walked along to our room. The swallows dived around us and into their nests where the wooden beams joined the walls. There was a notice in the rooms saying that the cleaners tried to keep the floors clean, but they were honoured that the swallows choose to reside at their
hotel!
The door was opened and we walked from the bright sunshine into a very dark narrow corridor leading to our room. The receptionist quickly pointed out the air conditioning, fridge and bathroom and left us to settle in.*Our Room*
First impressions are important. It was cool, which was great after being in the hot sun. It was dark, not so good as we needed to switch on a light, which looked as if it had come out of the ark! It swung precariously from the ceiling and was a huge metal affair, so we soon opened the French window onto the balcony. Unpacking, like packing is my job! I only partly unpacked as most of our clothes had been worn and we were only staying for 2 days. The cupboards and wardrobes were in the dark corridor between the door and the bedroom, it was hard
to see what you had put on the shelves, and hung in the wardrobe!
The rooms are described as being Sardinian style. The wood is very dark and it seemed old fashioned to my eye, but adequate. The beds were twin and comfortable enough, covered in a bright gold throw, which matched the
floor tiles (ours were white and gold) and rug and curtains. There was a wooden shutter which could be closed at night and the windows left open, we did try this the first night, but heard all the comings and goings, all the people on their balconies having a last drink or cigarette, a baby crying etc that we decided to close the window and put the air con on! Mechanical noise versus people won the order of the night! The fridge was stocked with both
soft drinks and
wine and beer, but although it said not to use it for your own drinks, which we did, as we had some left from our
self-catering holiday. There was a
television, which received some satellite channels, and we caught up on the news, after 11 days without radio or television! There was a desk/
dressing table, mirror and bedside tables, plus a wonderfully low and comfortable seat. There is a connection for a
laptop and
telephone.
Outside on the balcony was two padded
wooden chairs with tilting backs which were very comfortable and a
small table, the disadvantage on the balcony was the doors fastened back and left the balcony very open to your neighbours, all conversation was heard by every balcony near you! I had to resist saying, "Look at that woman, if I was as fat as her, no way would I wear a bikini!" I knew there would be comments all along the balconies if I did, as the day someone sneezed, people all said "Bless You" "Bless You" as it seemed to ricochet all around the hotel! I could see over to other rooms, and they had different coloured tiles and matching covers and curtains, some green and some turquoise. The bathroom had a bath with shower, which had a good handrail, and there was also a handrail by the toilet, but it would have been almost impossible to get a wheelchair in and shut the door. The washbasin was large, and there was a mirror above it and the hairdryer was attached to the wall between the sink and the door. There were the usual free toiletries, adequate but nothing special and nice white towels.
There are single, twin, triple and quad rooms, but we didn't see inside these. Room service is available from 08.00 to 21.30, baby-sitting is available and there is a laundry service, but we didn't need to try these out.
*The Pool and Garden*
We looked down onto the pool area, where there were plenty of sun beds and umbrellas and a shower. There was a separate children's pool. Towels were available at reception, it was very quiet around this area and not being a great swimmer, I didn't try it out, as we were more interested in exploring the Catalan town, with some beautiful historical buildings, more of the town is in a separate review. There was a covered area with a tensostructure, giving people protection from the sun where you can sit and enjoy a drink or a light meal from the bar.
Steps down, from the pool area, lead through a gate and down to the tiny private beach. Woops, I blinked in the sunshine and nearly missed it! There were a few sun beds and umbrellas neatly placed in a row, with a neatly raked strip of sand, a little rocky cove completed the scene. This back way also led out to the promontory and the path into the town avoiding the busy main road.
*The Lounge Bar*
We did sample a few drinks from here and enjoyed a pannini for lunch one day. The bar was very quiet that day, the turquoise and
cream leather sofas remained empty, as did the little
tables and chairs. The Captain and a First officer perched on stools at the bar consuming espresso coffees and a sandwich before departing for the
airport and a plane of holidaymakers. Most people who were in that day chose to sit outside. The drinks and food were slightly overpriced compared to a cafe in the town, but convenience evened things out. At night, they were more people around after the evening meal.
*The Restaurant*It was downstairs, there was a lift going down for disabled people, but we used the stairs. The first night we went down read the menu and beat a hasty retreat. It was very limited in choice, and not at all Sardinian. We had been enjoying marvellous food, in assorted
restaurants and when confronted with a choice of, melon, soup or pate for starters. Roast meat and vegetables, fish or salad and assorted sweets, we felt we were back home in a mediocre cafe. To me this choice of food was for the majority of the hotel, which were from coach parties. We had discovered 3 coaches parked in the car park and at least one was a Saga tour, who had part of the
Dining room cordoned off for them. There were linen tablecloths and a buffet breakfast, which I cannot fault. As well as the usual hot and cold dishes and
fresh fruit, there were some lovely
sweet cakes and the most wonderful homemade
sponge fingers, which were about 10 inches long and melted in your mouth! Unfortunately, we had an early departure and missed breakfast on the last day, but a simple selection was left out for early travellers and businessmen and we were grateful for that.
The second night when we returned from eating out, we could hear music and went to investigate. Dinner had been served in the tent like structure called "Le Vele" overlooking the gardens and sea. It can also be used for conferences and weddings, and you can see the chefs preparing the food.
*Solarium and Sauna*
It was so warm outside that I didn't feel the need to search out these facilities, but they were advertised, at an extra charge.
*Staff*
All the staff we dealt with spoke enough English to understand us and were very helpful. Getting the bill printed to pay proved a slight problem as the computer was dealing with all the updating of the evening meal when we went to pay at 10.00pm, but they did apologise.
*Cost*
Between 65€ and 109€ per person, per night for
bed and breakfast depending on the time of year. It is worth searching around to find the
best rates, and there are some offers for Honeymooners and also for children.
*Conclusion*
The Hotel Calabona faces the pretty
Riviera del Corallo (Riviera of Coral) of Alghero, and offers a spectacular view from the promontory of Capo Caccia . and about 15 minutes from the historical centre of the Catalan town of Alghero. It is an excellent base, easy to
reach wonderful restaurants, shops and churches in the town.
Swimming is possible in the clear sea just in front of the hotel, or a few minutes clambering over the rocks. All good points. A great base for touring that part of Sardinia.
Perhaps another week there would not be coach loads of people, which spoiled it for us. The noise of people shouting to one another about what trip they had been on and when they had to be up the next morning was not the hotels fault, it was ignorance on their part, as not everyone wanted to listen to their voices. This was not just our view but of the nice
couples in the next room.
And now "Goodnight John Boy" and everyone else who is reading this! Goodnight and sweet dreams.
Goodnight John Boy! 
