Chia Laguna - Hotel Village

Four large flapping flags and a semi-circle driveway greet guests at the entrance of the minimalistic Chia Village - Chia Laguna Resort. Indoors, the decor is simple but stylish and contemporary. Wicker furniture and basic lime green furnishings dot the lobby while bright, floor-to-ceiling windows light the large space, which actually feels a bit barren. In the corner sits a glass-encased model of the entire resort area. Heading outside, footpaths lead guests through the tranquil gardens, with flowering plants abounding. The hotel's main pool is huge, and guests can soak up sun on nearby wooden sun loungers or pop open an umbrella to read in the shade. The buffet restaurant is spacious as well with a cafeteria-style setup of long tables and individual seating areas.

Chia Laguna Resort includes four different sections: Hotel Village, Hotel Laguna, Hotel Oasis, and Hotel Baia. Located in the northern area of the resort complex, Hotel Village is close to three of the resort's four pool areas. Dune di Campana Beach can be reached on foot within several minutes, but the hotel also offers rides to the sand on the cute Chia Express train (which the little ones typically enjoy). The resort is sprawling but nothing is more than a 10-minute walk away. Almost everything of need is offered somewhere on-site -- even a market with basic provisions, including medications. Guests can easily reach either Chia itself or visit the ancient watchtower known as the Tower of Chia, both short drives away. The closest big city is Cagliari, a little more than 30 miles north.

The 240 spacious rooms and cottages at Hotel Village were all renovated for the 2012 tourism year and feature a design geared toward families traveling with kids. They mix country and beach decor influences, with terracotta tile floors, classic white wooden furniture, blue and purple fabric accents, big beds, huge windows with lots of light, and high ceilings. All come with minibars, flat-screen TVs, AC, and clean, modern bathrooms with colorful mosaics. Some rooms also have private garden spaces or balconies overlooking the pool. The big downside is that the children's sleeping quarters aren’t separate from the main bedroom and are basically single beds doubling as a couch, not ideal for parents with older kids who may want privacy.Hotel Laguna rooms, located in a three-story structure, are a bit more upscale, and all have at least a partial view of the sea, as well as terraces, balconies, or gardens. They're a bit more suited to couples, though extra cots can be requested for a single child (up to three years old in some rooms, and up to 12 years old in others).The "Oasis Space" (Spazio Oasi) section of the resort is the newest, with 34 rooms that are a bit more contemporary in style. All but the most basic have separate living areas and can families of at least three or four; the Oasi Suite Balcony is the biggest, with two bedrooms. This section is named after, and located closest to, the Oasi waterfall-style pool.

Hotel Village is kid-friendly, and new parents will be thankful to travel with lighter luggage, since the resort provides items like strollers, cribs, baby baths, bottle heaters, cots, and changing tables in limited quantities for children up to 35 months. Among Hotel Village's many kid-friendly amenities are the Bimbi Restaurant, which lets kids learn about the foods they eat, select from a kid-tailored menu, and eat with new friends. The various kids’ clubs offer age-specific activities such as crafting, team sports, and live shows. And the kids-only pool is open to children from all four of the resort's hotels (the Hotel Village, Hotel Laguna, Hotel Oasis, and Hotel Baia). Space may be limited in peak season. Physician services are available as well for a fee.A range of adult activities like mountain biking, jeep and quad excursions, scuba diving, and windsurfing can be arranged, while the shared wellness center has treatments ranging from chocolate massages to manicures. For evening shenanigans, adults can choose any of the resort's bars and lounges, a nightclub, or theater and cabaret shows in the outdoor pavilion. There’s even a free shuttle that travels around the grounds and down to the beaches if you don't feel like walking. Dune di Campana Beach is shared with Hotel Village, Hotel Laguna, and Hotel Oasis guests; guests at Hotel Laguna receive free VIP access to umbrellas and loungers closest to the sea, while Village guests pay a fee.Guests at Hotel Village get access to the big, chic Club House pool, which has an infinity edge and is surrounded by lots of cushioned loungers. The Oasis pool is for Hotel Laguna and Hotel Oasis guests only; it is much smaller and has a waterfall feature.Bouganville Restaurant is buffet-style; breakfast and dinner for Hotel Village guests (included in the half board rates) is served here. La Terrazza, with upscale Italian a la carte dishes, as well as an outdoor terrace and sea views, serves breakfast and dinner for Hotel Laguna guests. Le Dune Restaurant at the beach serves seafood as well as casual fare such as pizzas, and Luna Restaurant is a gourmet Mediterranean option.