Hotel Spartivento

Hotel Spartivento is a one-storey resort built from natural materials, including stone and wood, with a large garden looking across the western Sardinian coastline. It sits beneath Monte Setti Ballas and Monti Filau, in a landscape shaped by the mistral and by a coastline of old granite formations rather than manicured resort architecture.

This is a sensible base if you want your days split between the water, the garden and a proper meal rather than a programme of organised entertainment. The outdoor pool has a children's area, the grounds include Mediterranean planting, and the restaurant works with local food. The hotel's website is available in Italian, German, English and French, which makes planning easier before arrival; the staff languages are not specified.

The hotel is in Chia, on Sardinia's southern coast, at the end of the island's western-facing coastline. Its position is coastal and backed by the hills, with views towards the sea and a setting described as protected from the mistral. The landscape carries a bit of history as well: Phoenician, Arab and Roman populations all passed through this part of Sardinia.

You are not stepping straight from the bedroom onto the main beach. Campana Dune Beach and Su Giudeu Beach are about 0.7 miles away by the direct listing distance, while Cala del Morto Beach and Monte Cogoni Beach are about 0.8 miles away. Chia Beach is about 0.9 miles away, with the listed driving distances to these beaches generally around 1 mile.

For dinner away from the hotel, Crar'e Luna is about 0.8 miles by road and Ristorante le Dune about 1 mile. S'Antigu Cunventu is around 1.8 miles away, with the same distance listed on foot and by road. Cagliari Elmas Airport is 37 miles away by car, with a stated driving time of about one hour and one minute.

The room choice is mainly about how much space you need and whether the coastline should be part of the view. A Double Room with Sea View suits a couple who would rather open the curtains onto the coast than spend the whole evening watching the satellite channels. For three or four people, the larger room categories use a king-size bed alongside a sofa bed, giving families somewhere to put everyone without pretending that a sofa bed is a second bedroom.

Every room has air conditioning, satellite TV, a wardrobe and a private entrance. Soundproof rooms and soundproofing are part of the accommodation facilities, useful when you want the night to stay the night rather than become an accidental social event. A minibar, room service and WiFi in all areas cover the practical details when you return warm, salty and not especially interested in going back out.

Bathrooms include a shower or bath, toilet, bidet and hairdryer, with private bathrooms available. Children of any age are welcome; cots can be requested for babies, while extra beds are not available. Daily housekeeping is included, and laundry and ironing services are available when a week of saltwater has started to win the clothing battle.

The restaurant serves local food, which is the useful part of the description when you have spent the day in the water and want something recognisable on the plate rather than a themed international buffet. The main dining room has an open fireplace, giving the evening meal a more substantial setting than a bright room full of identical tables.

In summer, meals can also be served outdoors, so you can choose between the fireplace and the open air depending on the season and your own tolerance for sitting still. The hotel also has a bar, a coffee house and a minibar in the rooms, with wine and champagne available as well.

Breakfast details and the board formula are not set out here, so check the arrangement attached to your chosen room before booking. Room service and breakfast in the room are available, while special-diet menus, children's meals and fruit are also part of the food and drink services.

The outdoor pool is the obvious place to spend a non-diving afternoon, with a children's section and sun loungers around it. Pool access is seasonal: the stated closure period runs from 10 March to 1 June 2025, so dates matter if swimming is part of your plan. The garden, terrace and patio provide the less chlorinated alternative, with outdoor furniture for sitting down and doing very little.

If you need to move rather than lounge, there is a fitness centre, a tennis court and tennis equipment. A games room, board games and puzzles keep the evening options uncomplicated, while live sports broadcasts and themed dinner nights add something to do without turning the hotel into an activities camp.

The wider stay can include snorkelling, canoeing, windsurfing, windsurfing equipment, horse riding and access to a private beach area during summer. These activities are listed separately from the standard hotel facilities and may involve an additional charge. Babysitting, children's outdoor play equipment and kids' meals also make the property workable for a mixed-age trip.

Arrivals are accepted from 14:30 to 20:00, and departure is between 08:00 and 10:30. Private check-in and check-out are available, along with concierge service, a tour desk and luggage storage. That last one is handy if your room timing and your travel timing refuse to cooperate.

Free private parking is available on site without reservation, and car hire is available through the hotel. An airport shuttle service also exists; arrange the service with the hotel before travelling. Cagliari Elmas Airport is about 37 miles away by road, with a driving time of roughly one hour and one minute.

WiFi is available throughout the property, and rooms have air conditioning and heating. Cash and ATM cards are accepted. Pets are allowed on request, and facilities include ground-floor units and wheelchair-accessible units. The hotel also has a safety deposit box, non-smoking rooms, a shared lounge and room service.