Family Travel
19 of the best family hotels in Sardinia
Sardinia is in many ways the perfect family destination. With its gorgeous beaches, rugged nature trails and pretty hill towns, there is more than enough to keep visitors of any age entertained. The Costa Smeralda, in the north of the island, was designed by Aga Khan IV in the Sixties and is still renowned for its glitz and glamour today thanks to the luxury yachts, exclusive golf courses and five-star hotels. Things get quieter further south, where deserted beaches and protected nature reserves provide ideal child-friendly explorations. Treks inland lead to wild landscapes and Bronze Age ruins while visits to larger towns and cities, such as the capital Cagliari, add a touch of art and architecture.
To make the most of your stay you need to choose the right base and luckily there are plenty of hotels dotted around the island that cater well for families, with a range of services and amenities to suit everyone. So from kids’ clubs to pools, private beaches to babysitting services, here’s our top selection of family hotels in Sardinia.
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1. Almar Timi Ama, Villasimius
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for family-friendly luxury
On the southeastern tip of the island this five-star resort blends luxury with a relaxed, family-friendly nature. Its location within the Capo Carbonara protected marine area makes it ideal for flamingo-spotting, diving and snorkelling, while the hotel’s complimentary bicycles can be used to explore the flora-and-fauna-filled reserve or nearby Villasimius. Choose between a family room or Prestige family suite with terrace, and make the most of the hotel’s huge pool and private beach. There are clubs for younger children and teenagers as well as a babysitting service, giving you plenty of opportunities for adults-only time at the spa or wine cellar.
2. Hotel Portoconte, Porto Conte
£ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for beachside fun
A smart, low-rise complex fronting a sheltered bay near Alghero, the Hotel Portoconte is conveniently situated right on a private beach, just steps from the crystalline water. Children will love the activities, which include a kids’ club, mini-golf, table tennis, swimming pool and play park, while the hotel’s location in the Porto Conte natural park provides ample options for trekking, biking and nature-spotting. Double rooms can come with an extra bed, but for more space opt for the interconnecting family room that can sleep up to five.
3. Cala di Volpe, Porto Cervo
£££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for a Bond moment
Catapulted to fame when it appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me, this hotel likewise comes with a PG rating. Parents, simply guide your offspring to the kids’ club and you will discover ample opportunities to channel Roger Moore and Barbara Bach. Cala di Volpe was built in the Sixties but is still pretty swinging, with elegantly sinuous bedrooms and suites (including the extravagant Harrods Penthouse), several fashionable restaurants, plus tennis courts and shaded cabanas around the saltwater pool, claimed to be one of the biggest in the Mediterranean. The hotel’s pink-sand private beach is reached, rather glamorously, by boat, which only adds to the sense of being luxuriously cocooned.
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4. Borgo di Campagna, Gallura
£ | POOL | Best for a chic countryside stay
Although Sardinia’s beaches attract most of the hype, its countryside is equally lovely. This farmhouse-style hotel offers the best of both worlds — a rural retreat in a hilly hinterland dotted with olive trees, and under seven miles from the coast. Its 18 rooms are styled in a winning mix of neutral decor and colourful textiles; one is a family room and another is a self-contained apartment with its own garden. Children will love exploring local nature trails on foot or by bike, as well as swimming in the oak-shaded outdoor pool, which is close enough to the restaurant for parents to keep a watchful eye while enjoying classic Sardinian dishes at lunch.
5. Hotel Club Saraceno, Arbatax
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for a good-value all-rounder
Part of the local Bovi family’s hotel group, this resort sits on Sardinia’s eastern shores in the historic province of Ogliastra. The more upmarket of its 150 rooms have been refurbished in oceanic shades but there are family-friendly options to suit most budgets. Saraceno’s crown jewel is its huge, palm-fringed seawater swimming pool, which backs onto a private sandy beach. In the summer children over 12 can take part in free group courses in windsurfing, canoeing and sailing — or head to the complimentary kids’ club. Dinner and breakfast are buffet-style, but there’s also a beachside bar-restaurant offering drinks and light meals.
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6. Chia Laguna Resort Hotel Village, Chia
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for age-appropriate kids’ clubs
This hilltop resort on Sardinia’s southernmost tip has various accommodations and the spacious bedrooms of its elegant Hotel Village are well suited to those travelling with children — Family Superior cottages even have private patios. The pool here is also the largest on the resort, with a shallow area especially for little ones. Right beside it is the Mezze restaurant where all ages dine on simple dishes under sun umbrellas. The four kids’ clubs are split by age, with everything from baby discos to adventurous activities for teens.
7. Abi d’Oru, Porto Rotondo
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for water babies
Sardinian for “Golden Bee”, this five-star resort sits beside the white sands of Golfo di Marinella on the Costa Smeralda — and all Family Classic rooms have terraces overlooking the tempting waters of the Mediterranean. The kids’ club is included in the price of the room and even extends to supervising children in the swimming pool; there’s also a play park, mini football pitch and tennis court. Parents can have a night off in one of the complex’s many bars or places to eat while their children enjoy one of the restaurant’s “no grown-ups allowed” evenings. There’s also a crowd-pleasing pizzeria.
8. Le Palme, Forte Village, Santa Margherita di Pula
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for on-site activities
Le Palme is just one of a whopping eight hotels located within the sprawling Forte Village resort in southern Sardinia — its lovely family bungalows happily sleep two adults and two children. It was one of the first resorts to introduce academies for children, so they can choose between sports programmes focused on rugby, fencing, netball or dance, or sign up for lessons in magic or chess. Parents should spend their well-deserved time off in the Thalasso spa or flitting between the complex’s many restaurants.
9. Colonna Resort, Arzachena
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for getting away from it all
Occupying a relatively isolated position on its own private beach, this low-rise, terracotta-roofed resort is a relaxed option for a family holiday. There are seven seawater swimming pools, including one just for children, and staff are on hand in a well-equipped play area to entertain those aged from 4 to 12. With wooden ceilings and tiled floors, the 220 rooms are decorated in timeless Sardinian style; balconies or terraces benefit from a sea view or one overlooking the palm-dotted landscaped gardens. There’s a free shuttle service to Porto Cervo, but those wishing to explore further afield should consider hiring a car.
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10. Lantana Resort, Pula
£ | POOL | Best for a small-scale stay
Just over half an hour’s drive from Cagliari airport this charming, diminutive hotel is set among rolling lawns on the south coast of Sardinia. Book well in advance to nab the family room, which comprises a generous double and a smaller twin, or consider choosing one of the resort’s 32 apartments. Youngsters can make the most of complimentary children’s entertainment in the swimming pool during July and August (two hours a day, three times a week), and will doubtless spend hours playing with the water feature in the shallow end.
11. Baglioni Resort Sardinia, San Teodoro
£££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for beach-lovers
This hotel in the island’s northeast sits behind what some argue is Sardinia’s finest sandy beach, Lu Impostu, a half-mile arc lapped by shallow waters ideal for younger children. The kids’ club caters to creative and nature-loving types as well as offering the usual array of sports — and there are exceptional opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, diving and snorkelling. Family rooms are generously sized, with a balcony or patio.
12. Su Gologone, Oliena
££ | POOL | Best for creative couples with kids
One of the island’s best boutique properties, this arty enclave beneath the Supramonte mountains is a great pick for aesthetes not yet ready to embrace a fully fledged family hotel. As well as offering art itineraries and baking courses, its 71 rooms and suites are individually decorated with work by local painters and sculptors, and several can accommodate an extra bed. The unheated pool is manned by a lifeguard, and there’s also a small children’s play area. Guests of all ages will love the food — from handmade pasta to spit-roasted meats, served either in the herb garden or on the hotel’s delightful terrace.
13. Is Morus Relais, Pula
£ | POOL | Best for a bargain private beach
This is a rare beast — an affordable hotel with its own beautiful beach. It’s ten minutes from the celebrated Forte Village resort and benefits from an almost-as-idyllic coastal location — and guests can book into one of the 87 rooms at Is Morus Relais for a fraction of the cost of its neighbour. Mature trees and Mediterranean gardens surround the hotel’s traditional white and terracotta-roofed buildings and eight villas, and staff are friendly and attentive. There are two restaurants — La Terrazza is particularly lovely, serving Italian dishes with a sea view — as well as a children’s play area and a devoted pool for kids.
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14. Jazz Hotel, Olbia
£ | POOL | Best for a pre-flight stay
A very short hop from Costa Smeralda’s main airport, this bright and modern hotel is a great pick for families keen to squeeze every last drop out of their holiday — the pool is particularly lovely, surrounded by tangerine-coloured sun umbrellas and potted cacti. Rooms are decently sized and the hotel can add rollaway beds for a small surcharge. Nearby Olbia is often overlooked, but has a charming historic centre packed with atmospheric piazzas. If parents want an evening out in the city, the hotel can arrange babysitting, but alternatively there’s a good bar and restaurant on site.
15. Falkensteiner Resort Capo Boi, Villasimius
£££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for active families
This chic, low-rise hotel combines understated looks with an above-average offer for families. Alfresco cinema and boat trips into the bay are just some of the activities available and facilities include tennis courts, indoor and outdoor play areas, and multiple pools — children can be enrolled in a swimming academy. The kids’ club is creative, offering puppet theatres, a petting zoo and photo workshops, as well as the usual gamut of sports.
16. VOI Colonna Village, Golfo Aranci
£ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for babies and their parents
This all-inclusive hotel on Sardinia’s northeast coast makes good use of its location overlooking the Golfo Aranci, even providing guests with free canoes so they can explore its shores. All bedrooms have balconies but it’s worth plumping for one of the superior rooms nearest to the beach. Decor varies from fresh to a touch dated, but accommodation is well thought-out for families. The hotel’s summer childcare programme caters for babies up to 17-year-olds, including an assisted sleeping room for the smallest guests, so tired new parents can unwind in the wellness centre or get horizontal beside the more relaxed of the hotel’s two pools.
17. 7Pines Resort Sardinia, Porto Cervo
£££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for laid-back luxury
7Pines Sardinia follows the model that’s been so successful at its sister resort in Ibiza — combining second-to-none facilities with exceptional service in a stellar coastal location. Its 75 individually designed rooms overlook either impeccably landscaped gardens or the Maddalena Archipelago, which can also be explored aboard the hotel’s fleet of luxury yachts. Cherishing the planet is a cornerstone of the kids’ club philosophy — sustainable activities include upcycling and gardening, and your children will be able to put theory into practice at the hotel’s lovely private beach.
18. Park Hotel Cala di Lepre, Palau
££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for sea views
Situated in Sardinia’s north, this is part of the well-regarded local hotel group Delphina and prides itself on its family-friendly credentials — just like its sister property, the Le Dune resort in Badesi. The kids’ club hours are unusually extensive (9.30am to 6.30pm), entertaining ages from 3 to 14 with activities from beach volleyball to dance classes. The bougainvillea-strewn L’Arcipelago restaurant is a charming spot for lunch, while rooms are tastefully done out with white walls and fabrics featuring local motifs. Many have knockout views of La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, which can also be explored on a boat trip booked through the hotel. The full-day tour aboard the Pulcinella, a period wooden sailing ship, is particularly atmospheric.
hotelcaladilepre.com
19. Valle dell’Erica Thalasso & Spa Resort, Santa Teresa Gallura
VALLE DELL’ERICA THALASSO & SPA RESORT
£££ | KIDS’ CLUB | POOL | Best for eco-luxe family travel
This two-hotel complex is the very definition of sustainable luxury. Although there are 271 rooms and suites, four swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar), and seven restaurants spread across its lush gardens, the resort’s low-rise profile and abundant use of natural materials makes it feel at one with its environment. No expense has been spared to make family visits stress-free — as well as an adventurous kids’ club (with in-house pizzeria), there’s a doctor and pharmacy on site too.
hotelvalledellerica.com
Read our full review of Valle dell’Erica Thalasso & Spa Resort
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Additional reporting by Julie Alpine and Maria Pasquale
Family fun finds home at two new Andalusia destinations
Published 4:30 pm Friday, August 1, 2025
- LEFT: Adalynne Butler enjoys play time at Aunt Dawnie’s Indoor Playground. RIGHT: Fully-trained macaw parrots are ready for your visit to Andalusia Animal Adventures. Both businesses opened to the public in Andalusia approximately three weeks ago. (PHOTOS BY KELLEY SCHEPPER)
Written by Kelley Schepper for the Star-News
Two new businesses in Andalusia are giving local families something they have long hoped for: safe, fun and imaginative spaces for children to explore. From hands-on animal encounters to indoor pretend play, the newest attractions in town are drawing praise and foot traffic from residents eager for more family-friendly options.
Aunt Dawnie’s Indoor Playroom: “Big Smiles and Little Giggles”
Inspired by a social media video and a lifelong love of children, Dawn Baker opened Aunt Dawnie’s Indoor Playroom this summer with the goal of sparking joy and imagination in young visitors.
“I watched a TikTok of a grandma’s playroom and thought, why can’t I do that here?” Baker said. “I’ve worked with kids for 35 years. It’s all I’ve ever known.”
The space is filled with hands-on, screen-free play areas like a pretend vet clinic, mini kitchen and market, all themed to spark curiosity and creativity. Baker said she intentionally keeps the play space small and simple.
“The only machines here are the kids’ feet,” she said with a laugh. “It’s all about using your imagination.”
Baker described the playroom as a place for “big smiles and little giggles,” a phrase she chose carefully. “I want kids to be excited from the moment they walk in, and I want parents to feel welcome too,” she said. “It’s open and relaxed. Parents can sit and watch or even join in. The space is designed for connection.”
Aunt Dawnie’s also plans to host rotating monthly themes, like a construction zone or dress-up party, along with limited-ticket seasonal events. She is already brainstorming holiday celebrations like a Nutcracker-themed day or a dino dig party.
“I get bored easily,” Baker said. “So I plan to change things often. That way, it stays fresh for the kids and for me.”
Though the playroom has only been open since late July, the community response has been strong.
“I haven’t even had my grand opening yet,” Baker said. “People just started showing up as soon as we got the green light from the city.”
With plans to host mommy meetups, small group classes and more interactive fun, Baker hopes Aunt Dawnie’s becomes a regular part of the community.
“If you’ve got the heart for it, it’ll work,” she said. “We prayed about this from the start, and the support from the town has been incredible.”
Andalusia Animal Adventures: An Up-Close Safari for All Ages
Another new option, Andalusia Animal Adventures, is offering a different kind of family experience, one where kangaroos, spider monkeys and sloths take center stage.
Owner Shea Hensley, a lifelong animal trainer and educator, brought the attraction to Andalusia after decades in the film and wildlife industries.
“I’ve owned four big animal facilities and trained animals for movies for 35 years,” he said. “We didn’t know anyone in Alabama, but Andalusia just felt right.”
The facility is home to dozens of animals, including kangaroos, spider monkeys, tortoises, exotic birds and more. What sets it apart from a traditional zoo is the level of interaction.
“Every one of our animals is trained for handling,” he said. “You don’t just stand behind a fence. You go into the habitat with one of our handlers and sit with the animals.”
Visitors can feed and hold spider monkeys, cuddle baby kangaroos and even watch birds that talk and climb custom-built trees indoors.
“I’m so anti-cage,” he said. “Our birds don’t live in cages. They live in trees inside the building. One even started laying eggs after we brought her here.”
Education is at the heart of the mission. Each visit is led by a handler who provides facts and context about the animals. Many staff members are former teachers, and the center offers special programs for children with autism or developmental delays, all free of charge.
“We want people to feel something different when they walk in here,” Hensley said. “It’s not just about the animals. It’s about making memories together.”
Though the center is still expanding, including a sloth pen and an indoor show space, it has already welcomed a steady stream of school groups and curious families.
“We’ve been open three weeks and haven’t had a five-minute break,” he said. “There’s been so much interest, and we haven’t even advertised.”
The team also runs traveling programs, bringing animals directly to schools for educational events. Inside the facility, large group visits are welcome, with space to host up to 100 guests at a time.
“There’s nothing else like this in the entire United States,” he said. “Not just in how close you get to the animals, but in the feeling you get when you walk through the doors.”
A Community With Growing Options
With both Aunt Dawnie’s and Andalusia Animal Adventures opening their doors in the same season, local families now have more ways to spend time together indoors, safely and memorably.
“It’s about creating joy,” Baker said. “Not just for the kids, but for the parents too.”
Hensley echoed that sentiment. “We want people to build memories,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
As Andalusia continues to grow, these two businesses offer a glimpse into the community’s future, one filled with creativity, connection and care.
For Paris Hilton, family traditions and luxury hotels go hand in hand. Over the last two years, the iconic world traveler has been posting stunning photo albums of her young family’s stays at the Grand Wailea in Maui for their holiday vacations on social media, sharing that it’s been a family tradition since she was two years old, with her sister, Nikki Hilton, chiming in: “Favorite hotel.”
So what makes the Grand Wailea—a Waldorf Astoria Resort and one of the premier Hilton properties—the Hilton sisters’ favorite? Paris Hilton talked with Travel + Leisure earlier this month, revealing why the resort means so much to her family, including husband Carter Reum and their young children, son Phoenix and daughter London. “Grand Wailea is one of my favorite places on Earth. It’s just so beautiful and peaceful. The second we land, I feel like I can just relax and get away from it all,” Hilton shared with T+L. “It’s become such a special place for my family. London actually took her very first steps there, which I’ll never forget. Now it’s where we make new memories together, and that means everything to me.”
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Choosing to spend Christmas and New Year’s at Grand Wailea is not just “sliving the dream” for Hilton; it also means she has experienced the transformation of the resort throughout its multi-year, $500 million renovation, which included the debut of the 50,000-square-foot Kilolani Spa, newly appointed guest rooms and suites, and wellness collaborations with Erewhon and The Biostation, culminating with the opening of the first Nobu restaurant on Maui in early May. Hilton launched skincare brand Parivie this May, so she’s naturally a fan of the state-of-the-art super-spa, which integrates Native Hawaiian moon rituals in its treatments. So far, she has indulged in two signature treatments. “The new spa is amazing. I had the Lomi Lomi Massage and a facial that left my skin glowing,” she said. “I’ve always been super into skincare, especially now with launching Parivie, so I love when a spa really gets it.”
11:11 Media
Hilton says she appreciates the other upgrades at Grand Wailea, too. “It’s gotten even more gorgeous over the years. I love how it still feels warm and relaxed, but now with these really beautiful, elevated details. And I’m so proud of my friend Melissa Wood-Tepperberg. Seeing her MWH workouts featured on the in-room TVs at the resort is so cool. She’s such a beautiful soul and has built something so inspiring,” she shared. “As a mom, I appreciate how easy it is to be at the resort with kids—they’re having fun, and I still get to relax. When we’re there, we love just hanging out by the pool, going on beach walks, and snuggling up for family movie nights.”
With Paris Hilton
First thing you do when you check in?
Take a mirror selfie and check out the view.
In-room essentials?
My full Parivie skincare routine, my pink silk sleep mask, and my iPad loaded with baby videos.
Go-to room service order?
Truffle fries and green juice.
Favorite lounging outfits?
Velour tracksuit or a soft matching set—always cozy.
Best thing about staying in a hotel?
It feels like a reset: calm, cozy, and a little magical.
Any Paris-inspired hotel partnerships in the works?
We’re working on some exciting ideas right now that I can’t share just yet, but let’s just say I’m dreaming big. And we’re definitely looking into ways to bring Parivie into Hilton hotels soon. That would be such a dream come true.
Rich Polk/Getty Images for Hilton/11:11 Media
Of course, the international influencer and hotel scion—who has partnered with Hilton’s “It Matters Where You Stay” advertising campaign since it launched in 2022, in collaboration with her own 11:11 Media company–has a few other must-stay hotels on her list. As part of the campaign and to celebrate her “Infinite Icon” album release last fall, she collaborated with The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on the creation of Paris-inspired “Stay Like An Infinite Icon” pink-on-pink suites. And, while you might think that Paris, France, would hold a special place in her heart, it turns out that it’s another city across the pond that truly calls to her. “London is my favorite city. It’s where I feel most inspired, and of course, we named our daughter London,” Hilton told T+L. “I love the London Hilton Park Lane. It’s classic, elegant, and feels like a true home away from home.”
11:11 Media
Another longtime personal favorite: Waldorf Astoria New York, which Hilton recently toured with Gayle King for CBS Morning News ahead of its eagerly anticipated grand reopening this summer. “It’s such an iconic building. It was so great getting to chat with Gayle. She is amazing, and we talked about so many beautiful memories,” Hilton said about her times living in the flagship hotel, laughing about her escapades sneaking out to hit hotspots in the city that never sleeps when she was young. “I’ve spent so much of my life in hotels—they’re a huge part of my story.”
CBS
Over the years, Hilton says she has perfected her hotel rituals. Her go-to hotel tips as a new mom are “unpack right away, bring some familiar little extras for the kids, and stick to your routine.” To make her family’s hotel suites feel more like home, “I always set up my skincare and makeup right when I arrive. I like having a little glam station.” Like most of us, Hilton also admits that one of her hotel habits is lounging in her hotel robe. “I pretty much live in the hotel robe as much as possible.”
While slaying her stay and nonstop traveling with her family in tow has become a way of life for Hilton, she says she doesn’t take anything for granted. “I am grateful to be in this era of my life— getting to travel, spend time with my family, and create new traditions. Truly feeling like a ‘Sliving Mom!’”
Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku is a Hawai‘i Island-based freelance journalist and travel writer. She has had the privilege to visit all six of the major islands in Hawai‘i and has written about them for such publications as Fodor’s Travel, Matador Network, Hawai‘i Magazine, SF Gate, Trip Advisor, Local Getaways, and others. Her writing carries with it the kuleana (responsibility) of helping to produce more educated, conscientious visitors to this culturally and ecologically sensitive place, advocating for tourism that is sustainable and ethical. Laurie’s areas of expertise include Hawai‘i hotels, family travel, luxury travel, food & beverage, Indigenous excellence, animals, sustainability, voluntourism, and nonprofits. You can read her work on her website, or follow along with her on social @hawaiitravelwriter.
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