The Maremma is a wild and rugged part of Tuscany. Punta Ala on the coast is anything but rugged. If you love water sport and golf, this is the place to come, and the Hotel Cala del Porto is definitely the place to stay. One hour south of Pisa, on the coast facing Elba, Punta Ala is famous for exclusive elegance in a stunning location.
Entrance to the hotel
Lush pine forests and scrubs surround the small marina, and the hotel is set on the hill above the bay, offering gorgeous views of the sea.
View from the hotel.
The perfectly manicured gardens kept me happy for hours. The roses alone are reason enough to stay at Cala del Porto.
Rose in the garden
Our room was beautiful and the staff the friendliest I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Everybody took time to talk to us and make sure our stay was a wonderful experience.
Our lovely room
We stayed in spring and I couldn't wait to dive into the fabulous pool. If the weather had been a little warmer I would have loved to have gone swimming in the evening, when it looked particularly inviting.
Pool
The hotel restaurant serves delicious local food. We had lunch on the outside terrace to take advantage of the views. Breakfast was an amazing buffet, which we enjoyed in the elegant dining room.
Mussels for Lunch
The hotel is an easy walk to the marina, which has several excellent restaurants to choose from and interesting shops. There are beaches nearby and lots of water sports to keep you busy. We loved our stay at Punta Ala and look forward to a return visit. It makes an excellent base to explore this amazing part of Italy.
Debra Kolkka writes two blogs, Bagni di Lucca and Beyond and Bella Bagni di Lucca. With a background in fashion, this Australian splits her life between her home country and her beloved Italy, enjoying the best of both worlds. You can find Debra on her blogs.
Concierge tip: Intrigued by Punta Ala? Follow the hashtag #WhyILovePuntaAla on Twitter and learn more about this luxury beach destination and the Hotel Cala del Porto where Debra stayed.
