If you have someone in your family who is mad about horses, then Mandra Edera is definitely the place to be. More amateur horse lovers, like us, are bound to have a wonderful time here as well. Its location is a bit far from Sardinia’s hustle and bustle, yet that’s part of the resort’s appeal: to take distance from the frenetic pace of everyday life. The Country Hotel is large enough for children to make new friends but small enough not to feel overcrowded.
There’s a wide selection of horses, including ponies for young children. The horses are well cared for. We get horse riding lessons from the patient Daniele, who entertains both young and older guests by performing dazzling horseback acrobatics. Guests can go horse riding every day, either in the outdoor arena or on a two-hour hack across the lovely countryside through the maze of little lanes surrounding the hotel. With our daughter asleep in our suite and the baby phone system turned on, it truly is a unique experience. Another option is to go for a beach ride. It’ll be high on our list the next time we come here.
Pool at Mandra Edera
It’s not really a hotel; most of the rooms are dotted around the estate as small bungalows. The guests stay in one of the suites scattered around the grounds. Our clean bungalow is ideal for a family of four, with a generously sized double bedroom for us and two single beds for our daughters in what can easily be called the suite’s living room. The bathroom is large and has an efficient shower and plenty of clean towels that are changed daily. All rooms have a view of the park, some over the small vineyard and the surrounding countryside.
The Country Hotel is immersed in a park of age-old oak trees and surrounded by fields and paddocks. It is great to see the horses peacefully and carelessly wandering the grounds. Our daughter also loves the dogs and cat around here; it all adds to the sense of tranquillity. You might expect some supervision as there are more quite young children around the place, but apparently that’s not necessary and our daughter enjoys seeing the animals. Quite unusual, yet in a very positive way.
The food is hearty, rustic and pure. If you want lunch, you’ll just need to notify reception in the morning - there is a decent choice including tasty salads and pasta dishes. Dinner is served in the dining room where you can watch the chef prepare the food while you savour the traditional dishes. There is no menu, but the quality is good and the waiting staff is really friendly and chatty. They serve excellent local wines and a powerful spirit called Mirtilo, a regional speciality.
First ride for our daughter
Mandra Edera has an unheated pool in the park. So if you plan to come here in October, it could be too cold for a swim. Next to the outdoor pool, separated by a large window, is the Solarium. The indoor heated pool is part of the Wellness Centre with changing and treatment rooms. Another two large heated pools – one has salted water and a hydro-massage – with differentiating temperatures complete the wellness area. The programme also mentions horse riding followed by a massage…
And then there is Sardinia! Sardinians are proud of their island – and so they should be. It’s unrivalled, shaped by its own language and traditions, cuisine and culture. There are amazing coastal trails, mountains to climb and bays to kayak. It has some beautiful beaches, waterfalls, caves and islands. If you are interested in the island’s history though, we recommend you to explore a Nuraghic tower. In the old days, they served as a safe haven in case of emergency. There’s a tower only five minutes down the lane from Mandra Edera; this one is intriguing because of its picturesque abandonment. For the children, it is an adventure to look for hidden tunnels and to walk with a ‘torch’!
WOW
# Mandra Edera is a mecca for horse lovers and has excellent and entertaining horse riding instructors.
# Not only the horses and ponies are well cared for; we highly recommend the service offered to guests. At dinner, during horse riding, but also the housekeeping staff who are all very fond of our baby daughter…
# A great place to indulge in country life.
