The Hotel Cala di Volpe's exterior was conceived by his creator 'sculptor of houses' Jacques Couëlle to look like an ancient Mediterranean fishing village – a private compound of interconnecting terracotta rooftops, turrets, porticoes and terraces abloom with bougainvillea. The interiors give way to Couëlle's extraordinary surrealist vision. Graphic bursts of Mediterranean-inspired colours accent the white stucco. Dramatic archways and angled columns support the beautifully beamed wooden ceilings. Curved walls lead down angled passageways and up winding staircases, while the large-scale stone masonry echoes the wind-swept rock formations found outside. Superb Sardinian crafts celebrate the venerable artisan traditions of hand woven textiles, intricate woodcarving and vibrant tile work that have been found here for centuries. The effect adds up to a setting of dynamic proportions, grand yet intimate, rustic yet undeniably sophisticated.
Jacques Couëlle's son, Savin, followed his father's extraordinary footsteps, continuing the unmistakable family legacy. Known for his fascinating designs all along the Costa Smeralda, Savin's villas have become collector's items. In 2001 and 2008, Savin oversaw the renovations of the Hotel Cala di Volpe, employing only Sardinian master craftsmen to bring his complex technical ideas to life, while retaining the original spirit and beauty of his father's artistry.
In 2021, it has unveiled the third phase of its restyle that has been executed by architects Claire Betaille and Bruno Moinard of 4BI & Associés, who took inspiration from the precious heritage left by Jacques and Savin Couëlle, elevating hotel guests' experience starting from the sense of arrival, thanks to a fully refurbished lobby and lounge, and new luxury rooms and suites. The renovation brought a new light into the spaces, combining state-of-art technology and custom-made pieces of design created by skill local artisans.