Cala Rosa Club Hotel

The Hotel Cala Resort is more resort than hotel: The place prides itself on its bountiful services and beach-centric activities. It's surrounded by a large, beautiful park, and the atmosphere is peaceful, elegant, and relaxing. The grounds are carefully cared for. The grass is verdant and well-kept, shrubs are trimmed, and gardens full of green trees are manicured. Views of the (kinda distant) Mediterranean Sea are still lovely.

The hotel’s design is inspired by a tourist village. Small abodes are scattered around a lush garden, and the rooms are located in small, pink-rust-colored buildings.

The hotel offers a large number of services specifically designed for families and children, and much of the clientele is families with kids in tow -- though couples are generally happy here, too.

The Cala Rosa Club Hotel is tucked away in a gated community, secluded among a gorgeous garden and fringed by the dreamy Pelosa Beach, with its fine white sands and vivid green water. It's a 10-minute walk or free shuttle ride from the hotel to the ocean. Leading to the water is a private dock, where guests can leave for boating excursions. The hotel is a five-minute drive from the center of the charming, touristy marine town of Stintino, in the Natural Park of Asinara, on northwestern-most coast of Sardinia.

Rooms are scattered around the hotel’s grounds in seven distinct bungalow-style units, and each has a private entrance. Many rooms offer breathtaking views of the sea. All rooms come standard with air-conditioning, flat-screen satellite TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. Each is spacious and bright, with big windows and a cheerful, modern, simple style. Big beds, bright-colored walls, and tiled floors give the rooms a clean, cheerful vibe. Suites have roomy living rooms. Bathrooms are well-equipped with toiletries and hairdryers, though stall showers are pretty basic.

The breadth of Cala Rosa’s activities is what sets it apart. The hotel has a lush garden, and there’s ample room for lounging in the large main pool or the kids' pool. There are bicycles to rent, a tennis court, soccer fields, a playground, and a long lineup of activities and entertainment for adults and kids that includes windsurfing and scuba diving, aerobics and dancing on the beach. There’s an abundant buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a seaside restaurant focusing on Sardinian seafood. A spa specializes in massages, and a conference center is available to host meetings and events. The on-site gift shop sells beach gear and a few artisanal souvenirs.