The Best Room At: ... Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia
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Just approximately 116 miles off mainland Italy lays a dreamy oasis called Sardinia. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, the island (the second largest in the Mediterranean) has become a top destination for jet-setters around the world during the summer months. For those looking for a stay with breathtaking views, rustic cuisine, and extraordinary experiences, the Conrad Chia Laguna won't disappoint.
Nestled in the hills of Chia, just southwest of Sardinia's vivacious capital Cagliari, the newly-opened retreat boasts 107 bedrooms (each with specifically unique layouts) that overlook the picturesque turquoise sea and offers a range of impressive accommodations—from a state-of-the-art spa to top-rated restaurants—perfect for all sorts of travelers. Here, the Conrad Chia Laguna's general manager Marco Pedna tells T&C what sets this magical resort apart from other hot spots in the area.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
The best room is the Shardana Presidential Suite which is located in the main building on the top floor. It has the floor all to itself and spans over a 100-square-meters inside and out, and has a brilliant 360-degree terrace that overlooks the entire bay of Chia. You can see the Mediterranean, the tower of Chia—you basically get the whole landscape from that terrace. It has a private jacuzzi with its set of sun beds, and then also a covered dining area on the terrace. It's a fantastic space.
How much does it cost per night?
In the shoulder season—which is from April until June, and then from September to October—the Shardana Presidential Suite starts at around €5,000 per night (approximately $4,900).
How would you describe the guests that stay at the resort and the general atmosphere/vibe?
We have some different types of clientele because we cater to a few different segments. As a resort, we have a lot of families that come in, and they're obviously looking for the family experience. And because it's located in a wider complex, you have the beaches, which are obviously fantastic, but then you also have the piazza nearby, which is the central hub of the resort where you have entertainment in the evenings and live music. And then there's a Kids Club, where you have an activity program throughout the day.
And then for our couples or our guests that are also very much looking for a more quiet, exclusive, secluded experience, there are the areas like the pool and the Bioaquam Circuit at the spa, which are much more quiet and relaxed. If you want to be away from the buzz, in the Conrad, you find that exclusive environment.
What are the best things to do in the resort?
We've got a fantastic spa offering. It spans three floors, and it's got five different whirlpools, including a rooftop solarium pool with a fantastic view. We do yoga sessions up there, too. On the second floor, there's a brand new gym with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, fully equipped with new technology and equipment. Then there's the refreshment bar on the first level, and then on the bottom level, there's a circuit with three outdoor whirlpools, one indoor whirlpool, as well as a sauna, steam room, and experience showers. You could really spend a day in the spa.
There are also food and beverage outlets. We have the main restaurant, La Terrazza, which is the Italian Mediterranean restaurant, and then there's the second restaurant (opening next season) which will serve authentic Sardinian cuisine. Everything will be served in a traditional sharing kind-of platters format. The Bollicine Bar is fantastic, too, and is really popular in the evenings for the aperitif, pre-dinner, after dinner, on the terrace.
And then, of course, there are the beaches. Guests have two choices: You have the Monte Cogoni beach, which is on the east side, which is calm and serene. And then you have Laguna on the other side, which has more people, and it's a bit more buzzing.
What feeling about the region do you hope to impart to visitors?
It's really important that we really connect with the local culture and history. We don't want it just to be a cut-and-paste hotel. So we try and create experiences that give you that opportunity to see what people here are eating and what the history was about.
The beaches sell themselves—they're award-winning beaches—so that's the first reason people come. Then we really want to be able to share what else there is to experience in the surrounding area, so we partner with local providers. That could be going horseback riding, going on a boat tour of the island, or visiting wineries—there are all these partnerships that we want to share with our guests that we have with the local community.
What is a local attraction that you always recommend to guests?
One of the most fun things is cycling on the old Roman road. On this biking excursion, you can rent the bike with or without a guide, and just basically go down the Roman road and you have the whole coastline on your right. That's a fantastic nature experience.
There's the Argiolas Winery. It's a local winery with its own local grape varieties, which you won't find anywhere else. They do a nice tour, and then give a nice wine-tasting session at the end. Then there are a lot of historical, ancient sites of Nuraghe and Bithia, which are these old Roman cities and Sardinian towns from the original Sardinian population. There are also the old mines because there was a big mining culture here on the southwest coast. So you have a lot of options, you could fill a week with activities.
What do you think sets the Conrad Chia Laguna apart from its peers in the area?
One of the real brand pillars, which is what separates us from the rest, is the importance of having that connection with the destination, having the story and the meaning behind it, and creating those experiences for guests that really are fulfilling. It's not cosmetic. It's an experience. It's something that makes you feel fulfilled, like you've accomplished something. And making that connection and being able to do that in the area, in the local destination, so it's not just about the hotel. It's the whole 360-degree experience. Whereas maybe some other hotels are just focusing on the physical element that you can touch, we're looking at more of the overall wholesome feeling and fulfilling experience that you go away with, and you remember.
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