‘This lesser-known European island has beaches as good as the Caribbean – it’s just hours away’

Situated off the west coast of mainland Italy, the island of Sardinia is known for its sugar-white sand beaches and pristine turquoise waters, along with mountains, lagoons and breathtaking coastlines. We discovered the perfect base to explore these unspoilt shores at the stunning Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia hotel – and uncovered a paradise for foodies along the way.

Where to stay in Sardinia

We were charmed by the chic interior of Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia, which made this five-star resort feel special from the moment we stepped through the door. Our room featured golden tones and gorgeous decor that made us feel like we’d arrived at our own private Italian villa, with a stone-and-marble bathroom, a generous living area and a balcony that overlooked a lagoon populated with pink flamingos.

The lagoon was such a spectacular sight, which we could enjoy in even closer detail through binoculars, and our balcony was also the idyllic spot to enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings as we relaxed into our Italian getaway.

Sardinia’s best beaches

Just a 10-minute walk – or you can take the private shuttle – from the Conrad hotel and its sister property Baia di Chia Resort next door, we discovered the secluded Monte Cogoni beach. It has been dubbed one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches – and we could see why.

Monte Cogoni is a tranquil haven of crystal-clear water and soft golden sand that can quite accurately be described as paradise. We made the most of the resort’s private area for guests with sun loungers, parasols and towels, before taking a refreshing dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

We also spent time at the nearby Campana Dune beach with its inviting blue waters and stretches of sand, where we enjoyed the gentle sea breeze and listened to the soft tunes coming from the beach kiosk.

What to do in Sardinia

We made the most of the resort’s e-bikes and headed to the province of Capo Spartivento along the ancient Roman road, where we found a spectacular red lighthouse on the edge of the south coast. After another steep ride, we arrived at the historical Chia Tower, where we were rewarded with breathtaking views. It’s well worth the trek to admire this beautiful area from above.

This resort has plenty of other activities on offer too, from water sports and horseback riding to tennis and beach volleyball, plus gorgeous pools for guests to soak in across both the Conrad and Baia di Chia resorts. One of our favourite places at Conrad was the Bioaquam pool, a secluded spot with views out to Chia Bay.

For some TLC, we visited the Conrad Spa, where you’ll find treatments, saunas, a Turkish bath and more. We swam in the three outdoor pools in the spa’s gardens, while on the rooftop we enjoyed the pool with massage jets.

Where to eat in Sardinia

With 10 restaurants across Conrad and Baia di Chia, we found ourselves on a foodie journey. Breakfast was served at the Terrazza restaurant with a picturesque backdrop of the mountains, making this a stunning way to start the day. We sipped Italian coffee before placing our eggs order and sampling the extensive buffet of meats, fruit, cooked items and cakes, even treating ourselves to a morning mimosa.

Two of our evening meals were spent here too while watching the sunset. We were spoilt for choice with our four-course meals. Highlights included paccheri pasta with crustacean bisque, crunchy-skinned sea bass with saffron cream and lemon meringue and sorbet – all accompanied by a glass of local white wine.

We also dined in the patio setting of Sa Mesa, where we enjoyed marinated local prawns, macarrones de punzu (Sardinian pasta with fresh sausage) and pane carasau flatbread. We stopped at Le Dune lounge bar on the way to Campana Beach, for tuna tartare. Conrad has a huge selection of gelato at its ice cream parlour – we just wished we had more time to try them all.

How to book

Prices at Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia start from £343 per night. Ryanair offers direct return flights from London Stansted to Cagliari from £118.95.

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