Wind-sculpted seascapes, luminous reefs, sparkling sugar-fine beaches – Sardinia boasts ethereal vistas just waiting to be explored.
North of Tunisia and south of Corsica, Italy’s second largest island has become a playground for luxe-seekers with a deep love of the outdoors. Though it’s tempting to bliss out on the beach all day at Conrad Chia Laguna – summer read in hand, espresso in the other – there are plenty of picturesque pockets to explore on a hike, by bike, or even on horseback this side of the island.
Having just opened a slew of new sporting facilities, the Conrad promises a long weekend of active pursuits, refined cuisine, and plenty of downtime by the pool. Hit the open road and discover secret coves laced by hiking trails, e-biking from beach to beach past flocks of pink flamingos that gather in protected lagoons.
STAY
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia
Part of a wider resort that feels more like a mini-village, Conrad Chia Laguna is stacked on a hilltop on the coast of southern Sardinia, complete with its own piazza, a sprawling spa, multiple restaurants, and two private beaches. Cagliari is the closest city and airport, just an hour’s drive to the resort through the wild countryside.
The island’s laidback charm permeates the entryway to the lobby – a vast, airy space with lofty ceilings and original rock formations that jut out of the walls to cool the interior. Shelves are adorned with carnivalesque masks and Sardinian vases traditionally used as wedding gifts. Save for a few paintings, every item in the lobby has been sourced locally, crafted by ceramicists and artisans such as Pretziada and Striano Creazioni. Oversized plants have been positioned strategically to flourish in areas of natural light. Even the sheer white curtains by reception are a strategic design flourish, flowing theatrically or in slow motion depending on the day, rippling in tandem with the island’s Mistral breeze.
The hotel reopened its doors in 2021 following an extensive renovation by Studio Marco Piva. The 73 contemporary rooms are dressed in a sandy colour palette, some boasting a two-part lounge and bedroom area. Byredo products are an extra treat, including shampoo and conditioner in Mojave Ghost – a woody fragrance from the luxury perfume brand. The balcony isn’t massively private, but there’s a neighbourly element to the resort’s sprawling layout, huddled in rows among the rolling hills. At golden hour, the sunlight drapes across the rooftops, casting stipples of light in all the right places. On a clear day, coral sunsets shroud the landscape in a fluorescent hue.
EAT + DRINK
La Terrazza, Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia
Breakfast is served at La Terrazza every morning, a sprawling buffet of honey-infused yoghurts, eggs of your choice, and tantalising sweet treats washed down with authentic Italian coffee. The sleek, open-air terrace at La Terrazza is transformed into an elegant dinner spot that comes alive at golden hour, when the lagoon begins to glow in the dwindling light. Opt for a glass of sparkling Tagliamare wine on arrival, which tastes exceedingly better than the Prosecco we get back at home. The menu is refined and heavy on the seafood, including a red prawn starter that’s doused in gazpacho, followed by mains of seabass sloshed down with local wine. For dessert, a serving of the panna cotta is the anti-palate cleanser: delightfully creamy but not too sweet. Dessert number two awaits at the resort’s piazza, essentially an entertainment zone packed with souvenir shops, bougie boutiques selling strappy bikinis, a games room with air hockey and table football, as well as an ice cream parlour.
Sa Mesa, Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia
For date night, Sa Mesa is the place to be. Get dressed up and head straight to the terrace for a romantic meal à deux. If it’s your first time in Sardinia, the traditional Sardinian dumplings are a must-try, stuffed with potato and pecorino cheese in a rich tomato sauce. Keep it traditional for dessert with Saedas, a quintessentially Sardinian cheese parcel soaked in warm honey.
The To Do List
E-Bike
Hopping from beach to beach with your bum in the saddle is the best way to see Sardinia. E-bike over to Spiaggia di Tuerredda for a rejuvenating dip, a public beach that’s a family favourite. The Caribbean-style white sand draws in the crowds, so be sure to get there early – ideally before midday otherwise you risk being turned away. The beach bar and restaurant serves weighty homemade pizza slices at lunch.
Still wild and untouched, Dune di Campana captures the very best of Sardinia’s unpretentious coastline, with its no-frills bar serving soft drinks and paper cups of Italian espresso. After an active cycle in the heat, you can refuel at the Conrad’s second private beach, Monte Cogoni, which has a sheltered café with an assortment of paninis and ice-cream cornettos. In June, the sea isn’t immediately warm on your toes, but that doesn’t make it any less inviting – leaving you with the only option to dive straight in.
Padel and Tennis
Padel is all the rage at the moment, a hybrid of squash and tennis played inside a transparent, ceilingless court with high walls. Conrad Chia Laguna has recently jumped on the bandwagon, with two new courts a short golf buggy ride away from the main property. In a private session, you’ll learn all about posture and technique, hitting tennis ball after tennis ball until the balletic two-step-and-swing feels slightly more natural. Spoiler: it’s harder than it looks, requiring you not to overthink, which in turn makes you miss the tennis ball (or hit it high enough for it to somehow land beyond the four walls of the court. It happens to the best of us). With the arrival of four clay tennis courts and a new beach volleyball arena, there’s a sport for each day. Looking for a challenge? Certain classes are instructed by renowned professionals and instructors, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta.
Spa
A multi-activity itinerary is incomplete without a trip to the spa. Here, there’s a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, including a plethora of saunas and steam rooms, plunge pools and three Jacuzzi-pools with therapeutic massage jets. The spa garden is permanently fragranced by the surrounding juniper trees and lentiscus plants, scents that are said to get more aromatic as the summer progresses.
After an hour or so of sauna rituals, you’ll have a roster of invigorating treatments to choose from. The myrtle and honey massage leaves you floating on a cloud, restoring your glow with an express facial at the end. Starting from the tips of your toes, the full body massage follows an ashtanga-like sequence, starting on one side of the body first, from right to left, kneading away any knots. The end result? Exceedingly zen, strangely ravenous, and like a weight had been lifted. Don’t forget to ask for a touch of reflexology to keep an eye on the areas in your body that may need some TLC. Any feelings of discomfort can point to a potential problem area before physical signs begin to show. It’s fascinating.
Archeological Sites
Pack a pair of comfy trainers on a hike or a run to the Capo-Spartivento lighthouse. History buffs can take a leisurely stroll to the Spanish Tower (Tower of Chia) nearby, originally built in the 16th century. Nora, the oldest town in Sardinia, is an archaeological site worth seeing in person. Stroll through the ruins, admiring Roman temples and the remains of a public bath. Horse excursions are also available in collaboration with the Chia riding school.
All image credit: Conrad Chia Laguna
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