Falkensteiner has signed an 18-year lease to operate Arbatax Park Resort in Sardinia and plans a €30 million sustainable upgrade.
Summary: Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group has signed an 18-year lease to run Arbatax Park Resort in Sardinia from February 2026 and will invest €30 million to renovate and reposition the 900-room complex while maintaining its eco credentials.
Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG), headquartered in Vienna, will take operational control of Arbatax Park Resort under an 18-year lease beginning in February 2026. The move adds a second Sardinian property to the group’s portfolio alongside Falkensteiner Hotel Capo Boi and signals a major expansion of its Mediterranean footprint.
Arbatax Park Resort: location and recognition
Set in the Ogliastra area on Sardinia’s eastern shore, Arbatax Park Resort occupies some 60 hectares inside a protected natural park. The region is noted as one of the world’s five Blue Zones, known for longevity and pristine environments. In 2025 the resort was named the World’s Best Eco Resort, reflecting long-standing commitments to responsible tourism.
Planned investment and phased modernisation
FMTG has committed to invest €30 million over the coming years to modernise the resort while preserving its ecological and cultural sensitivity. The properties include around 900 rooms in total; the group says the first renovation phase will refresh more than 500 rooms and is scheduled to finish ahead of a planned reopening in May 2026.
- Lease term: 18 years, effective February 2026
- Total rooms on site: approximately 900
- Planned investment: €30 million
- Initial renovations: 500+ rooms to be completed before May 2026
- This becomes FMTG’s second Sardinia property, alongside Falkensteiner Hotel Capo Boi
Rebranding and new guest experiences
FMTG’s plans include structural and brand changes aimed at different segments of travellers. In 2027, the group will merge four existing hotels — Ville del Parco, Telis, Cottage and Dune — into a single 620-room complex to be launched as Club Funimation by Falkensteiner, targeted at families and active holidaymakers.
Another area of the resort, Borgo Cala Moresca, will be completely restyled and rebranded by 2028 as a premium Falkensteiner hotel of roughly 250 rooms designed to echo a traditional Sardinian village, with narrow streets, squares and stone-built facades that reflect local architecture.
FMTG will also introduce Monte Turri, a small adults-only boutique hotel featuring 17 suites, aimed at guests seeking a quieter, more intimate stay away from family-focused areas of the resort.
Strengthening the family and club tourism offering
With Arbatax Park Resort joining its portfolio, Falkensteiner aims to consolidate its position in the Mediterranean’s family and club tourism market. Otmar Michaeler, CEO of FMTG, has said the acquisition will reinforce the group’s Mediterranean brand and help deliver distinctive family, active and sustainable holiday experiences.
Sustainability remains central to the plan
FMTG has committed to uphold and expand the resort’s sustainability model. Future upgrades will prioritise eco-friendly infrastructure such as renewable energy, waste reduction and conservation measures, aligning with the resort’s protected-park setting and its recognition as a leading eco resort.
Why this matters: travellers and industry implications
For travellers, the deal promises refreshed accommodation options across categories — family club hotels, premium village-style lodging and an adults-only boutique — while preserving the resort’s protected natural setting. For the hospitality industry, Falkensteiner’s investment underscores growing demand for sustainable, experience-led resort products in the Mediterranean and signals confidence in Sardinia as a long-term destination. So what? Guests can expect improved facilities and more segmented offerings at Arbatax Park Resort, and operators will be watching how a major brand balances modernisation with environmental stewardship in a protected park.
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