Falkensteiner Resort Chia

Away from the town itself, the hotel was designed to be a somewhat self-sustaining holiday village for families. It has a simple terraced design centered around a pool, with stone and wood accents amid landscaped grounds. Flanked by a nature park, the stoned pathway to the hotel's private beach is lined with juniper trees and other plants.

Inside, Parco Torre has a contemporary vibe. The lobby is floored with stone tiles and the reception desk is just beyond a UFO-type table. Cushioned wicker furniture provides seating and glass tube lights hang from the ceiling. A couple of computers and laptop plug-in areas comprise the four-seat business center, just past reception. There’s also a lobby bar where guests can access free Wi-Fi while having a drink. Another bar is found outside on a shaded wooden terrace, overlooking the park and grassy pool area.

Built on a hillside overlooking Chia, reaching Parco Torre on foot may test your fitness levels. In close proximity to the beautiful beach of Porticciolo and a natural park, the hotel offers eastern and southern views of the sea, with distant views of Chia Tower to the west. Local shops and bars are located in town, a short drive or 20-minute walk away, and additional beach options are easily accessible as well. The closest big city, Cagliari, is a little more than 30 miles north.

With the hotel’s proximity to the water, guests in the majority of Parco Torre's 234 rooms and cottages have the benefit of hearing the Mediterranean's crashing waves and smelling the light sea breeze. Decor and design is more basic than one would expect from a four-star luxury hotel. Big beds with thin comforters, plain white furniture with sea green accents, and large orange tiled floors populate the sometimes slightly cramped spaces. Bathrooms are tiled and feel a bit outdated but come with a full range of toiletries and standard Italian bidets. The best feature of the rooms are the private terraces or patios. Suites have a bunch of built-in extras like free sparkling wine and fresh fruit upon arrival and unlimited use of wellness center facilities, with additional service discounts.

After walking two minutes down a stoned path through the adjacent nature park, guests can spend the day relaxing in the sun and swimming in the sea. And with a convenient beachside snack kiosk, there’s no need to abandon your lounge chair for long. Back at the hotel, children are entertained at the kids’ club (ages 3-12) and have their own dedicated swimming pool and dining area. Parents can take time to pamper themselves at the wellness center's sauna, spa, and Turkish bath or hit the state-of-the-art gym.

Guests can have drinks in the lobby bar or outside on the deck with snacks, and the on-site Torre Chia Tanca S'isca Restaurant takes care of breakfast and dinner, buffet style. While cuisine is international, guests can also try local dishes. (The hotel offers either a bed and breakfast or half-board breakfast and dinner option.) Wi-Fi is free, but only available in certain areas in or near the lobby. Services like airport transfers, babysitting, and gym access generally cost extra, though booking a suite has some related perks. For company travelers and conventions, Parco Torre has a large meeting hall that can hold up to 300 people.