Stay in the swishest hotels along the emerald coast of stunning Sardinia

YOU hear the greatest word in the world moments after stepping off the plane in Italy.

As soon as you stumble through your first attempt at “Grazie” at customs, back it comes with theatrical emphasis and a roll of the R: “Prego!”

It means “You’re welcome” and either all Italians are better actors than Al Pacino, or you really are welcome.

And on an island such as Sardinia, the welcome is that much warmer.

The people here have a lot to be happy about — pristine beaches, pretty villages, spectacular mountains and a reliable climate.

It can stay sunny into October — if a little windy — and the locals know they are on to a winner.

Francesco Muntoni certainly does. He is an entrepreneur who made his fortune from his string of posh properties along the Emerald Coast, the swishest corner of the island, in the very north.

You can holiday in Sardinia quite cheaply but Signor Muntoni’s firm, Delphina, is decidedly upmarket.

Even so, he’s still very much the local. He was on a nearby table when we had lunch at his Hotel Capo D’Orso, looking more like a builder than a tycoon.

So it is no surprise his hotels feel more like a stylish home than a generic retreat.

But what do you do once you’ve sipped your perfect cappuccino of a morning? Well, nothing much.

Sardinia is the sort of island that encourages pottering.

Maybe another cup of coffee while watching the waves lap the shore. Then a stroll down to the beach for an hour with a good book, and what do you know? It’s time for lunch.

That’s pasta, normally — carb-loading for an afternoon jog in the gym (yeah, right).

An action-packed day of nothing ends with a two-hour dinner, savouring the prospect of doing it all
again tomorrow.

We escaped only once, to nearby Castelsardo, with its warren of ancient streets climbing to the castle at the top.

The highlights were lunch with a view (more pasta and fish) and a visit to a church that displayed a terrifyingly realistic-looking Jesus in a box by the altar.

Other than that, we were happy to stay close to our hotels — they really are that agreeable.

We visited three of the Delphina chain and stayed at two.

The 5star Valle dell’Erica, close to Santa Teresa Gallura, was the best all-rounder — gorgeous rooms, a fab location, top-notch childcare and a decent spa.

The food was good, too, with fancy buffets at some restaurants and table service at others.

Also 5star, the Capo D’Orso is more exclusive, in a breathtaking spot near super-hip Costa Smeralda.

It is in one of the most beautiful coves on the island and you can’t imagine they would allow a hotel to be built there.

But they did, and the well-heeled guest is the beneficiary.

You don’t find many children here — it’s the sort of place you’d take a loved one for a special occasion.

The 4star Le Dune, farther to the west, is aimed more at families.

It has a great stretch of sandy beach, several pools, family clubs and activities a gogo.

We loved the pizza restaurant, the pools and the evening entertainment in the bar.

So take your pick and be sure of one thing — you’re welcome.

Prego!