The most exclusive club in Europe

The New York Times has described it as one of Europe’s most beautiful summer clubs. Of course, this accolade owes much to the ceaseless work of mother nature over millions of years – carving, polishing and gilding the cliffs of a small bay looking out towards the sunset. The location is northern Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, an 88 km stretch of coastline that has become the most important upscale tourist resort built in Italy since 1960. The crystal clear sea, the granite sand beaches, the jagged cliffs, the ancient trees and the Mediterranean scrub that dominates small bays of untamed beauty are the unique elements that have made this region of Sardinia synonymous with exclusivity and savoir vivre. The bay in which this club is located is sheltered to the east by a hill called Colle Battistoni which offers a splendid view of the Costa Smeralda. Standing at its base is the Cappellini naval fortress, built by the Piemontese army in the late 18th century, an architectural jewel set amongst the rocks. Built next to a small beach that rises towards the smooth pink cliff, Phi Beach is a luxury club where guests can spend entire days soaking up the sun in the comfort of outdoor canopy beds. It offers a wide range of services, including breakfast on the beach, lunch sheltered by the cliff, musical aperitifs, a moonlit dinner or an open-air disco for dancing until dawn. The enormous success that Phi Beach has achieved since it was opened in 2008 and its status as one of Sardinia’s most popular summer nightlife venues owes much to the process of continuous renovation carried out by the management.
The architectural project carefully balances the needs of hospitality with the forces of nature, opting for mobile yet supremely comfortable furnishings, many of them made from natural materials, and walkways consisting of wooden planks and ceramic, capable of withstanding the onslaught of the wind, salt, rain and salt spray. In 2013 the most exclusive areas of the club underwent renovation: the terrace, the perfect place to relax in a natural environment during the day and evening, and The Rock Club, an oasis of privacy for the most discerning and famous clients wishing to spend discreet evenings away from gossip and paparazzi. On the terrace, the Phi Beach management opted for a wood-effect ceramic tile (Seasons, from Serenissima) that provides both camouflage and outstanding technical performance. The tile surface combines a highly realistic reproduction of wood grain with outstanding resistance to wear, foot traffic and the elements. The Rock Club was created – without altering the natural landscape – in an opening between the granite rocks and the walls of the Cappellini fortress, while the paving displays a unique, contemporary style reminiscent of a tattoo.
The project has created a peaceful yet entertaining venue while maintaining a natural appearance in keeping with the location. The characteristic presence of the stone fort, the small patches of Mediterranean scrub, the beach and small coves and the smooth rocks where one can sit in solitude make Phi Beach a truly unique resort. It is an exclusive, charming location, ideal for people who love simplicity and style, sophistication and the beauty of nature.