Diana Zancheddu, owner of the Abi d’Oru, talks about heritage, restoration and conservation

Abi d’Oru was among the first hotels in Porto Rotondo, opening as Costa Smeralda was just emerging. What are your earliest memories of the hotel, and how have its origins shaped its identity today?

“Our family acquired the hotel in 1998, after it had changed hands several times. To understand its origins, we reconstructed its story through vintage photographs and archival footage, including a Vespa advertisement shot in front of the hotel and a historic Istituto Luce newsreel announcing its opening in the summer of 1963.

“During renovations we rediscovered many hidden details—among them hexagonal ceramic tiles decorated with bees, which we restored to the walls. These discoveries helped us understand the meaning behind the name Abi d’Oru and the symbolism of gold and bees.

“The hotel was designed by Sardinian architect Antonio Simon Mossa, who took inspiration from the geometry of beehives. Its irregular form embraces the sea while respecting the surrounding park. That idea of the hive—community, cooperation, and care for nature—has become a guiding principle for the hotel, reflected today in our beekeeping initiatives, educational activities, and honey tastings that celebrate the territory.”

The hotel has undergone major restoration. How do you balance heritage with modernisation?

“Modern comfort is essential, but the soul of the place must remain Sardinian. In the renovations we preserved local materials and traditional details—fabrics, marble, antique chests—while updating the spaces for contemporary hospitality.

“Northern Sardinia is often reduced to Costa Smeralda, the visionary project of Prince Aga Khan. But the region is far richer. Olbia is a dynamic city, and Porto Rotondo – our neighbour – has always maintained a genuine Italian spirit shaped by artisans, families, and long-time visitors.

“Our vision of luxury reflects that atmosphere: elegant but relaxed, less ostentatious and deeply rooted in place.”

Abi d’Oru is known for its environmental initiatives. How did these begin, and what role can the hotel play in sustainable tourism?

“Our connection to bees led us to collaborate with Gicoias, a project supporting Sardinian farms while providing employment opportunities for young people with disabilities. We also produce our own honey, caring for fifteen bee families.

“Sustainability has grown naturally from there. By reducing night lighting, we earned certification as one of the “Most Beautiful Skies in Italy,” and now host evenings where guests lie back and observe the stars.

“We also share Sardinia’s culture and landscape through garden walks, botanical workshops, cocktail classes using herbs from the park, traditional cuisine, and small touches like Sardinian proverbs left in the rooms each evening. Our aim is simple: to help guests feel they are staying in an ancient and authentic landscape — one that still carries the scent of granite and honey.”