“Are you going shopping? What will you buy?” I asked my two-year-old, who was already pushing along a mini trolley in Mario’s Village, a delightfully pint-sized replica town tucked inside Forte Village’s Children’s Wonderland.
“Bananas and raisins!” he replied, as he toddled off towards the pretend supermarket without a backward glance.
Simple moments like this became the heartbeat of our stay at Forte Village in Sardinia, a sun-drenched resort that seamlessly marries luxury with active experiences.
Set in the south of the island, about 45 minutes from Cagliari airport, Forte Village feels less like a resort and more like a Mediterranean village in its own right.
Think winding paths shaded by verdant trees, little squares, beachside restaurants and quiet gardens, all woven around a network of eight hotels and 13 villas.
We stayed at Le Dune, a beach-adjacent enclave whose deluxe bungalows had just been refreshed in calming turquoise tones, a nod to the nearby sea.
Our room was thoughtfully prepped for family travel with a cot, leaving us free to enjoy, not just endure, holidaying with a small child. It also featured spacious wardrobes and drawers, air con, a private patio/garden and bathroom with a separate bathtub and shower complete with toiletries utilising local produce.
While Le Dune doesn’t offer interconnecting rooms, agents should note that other hotels within the resort do: Hotel Castello, Bouganville, Le Palme and Pineta all accommodate larger family groups with accessible options available, including adapted bathrooms and step-free layouts.
But the magic of Forte Village isn’t confined to the rooms.
It’s in the thoughtful touches that make families of all ages feel not just catered to, but genuinely welcomed. Take the children-focused Mario’s Restaurant, for example.
Open daily from 12-1pm and 6-7pm, it features toddler-sized tables and serves a buffet of pizza, pasta and chips alongside desserts and drinks. For us, it was the perfect pit-stop after chasing our son around the Acquapark. He happily tucked into a burger with cauliflower and chips while we sat nearby with our own mini meal.
Speaking of the Acquapark, Forte Village has one of the best I’ve ever encountered. The pirate ship with smaller slides and splash zones were ideal for our two-year-old to wander, while the Olympic pool offered space for adults to swim a few laps or simply bob along. There were even six full-sized slides that also provided endless fun.
And when we needed a moment of peace? Forte Village’s Children’s Wonderland was a dream. With qualified nursery staff on hand, we dropped our son off for a supervised morning of play, while my husband and I tiptoed into the serene Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa.
The adults-only retreat features a six-pool circuit of thalassotherapy pools surrounded by lush palm trees. There, in magnesium-rich waters and whisper-quiet surroundings, we felt ourselves return to centre.
For clients wanting even more privacy, agents can book the Private Spa – designed for groups of up to 10, complete with its own sauna, hammam, treatment room and solarium. And to take relaxation further, suggest a massage; I enjoyed a salt and honey signature treatment by therapist Ludovica, which was the cherry on the cake of a wonderful day at the spa.
As someone passionate about wellness, I couldn’t resist the resort’s biomechanical assessment – an in-depth evaluation of posture, movement and reflexes.
The tests, conducted under the watchful eye of coach Luca Temperini, were simple – like standing on one foot and walking on a treadmill – and fun. I got surprisingly competitive during the light reaction game – thank you, netball training! Once analysed, my results gave real insight into how my body works and where its strengths and weaknesses lie.
“This exclusive technology synergistically coordinates all the screening equipment and produces more accurate and reliable results for evaluating biomechanical analysis, balance test, posture test and functional analysis,” Luca said.
Dining at Forte Village is another highlight, both for its variety and its inclusivity. One evening, we dined under romantic fairy lights at Cracco, a new beachside pop-up by the eponymous Michelin-starred chef.
Its elegant seafood menu was elevated yet relaxed enough to welcome children. Our little one chomped away contentedly on chicken nuggets, entertained by the warm and friendly waiting staff, while we savoured a multi-course tasting menu with a view of the sea.
Breakfast at Le Dune felt quietly luxurious – fresh fruit, made-to-order pancakes and waffles and just-baked pastries – and the setting alone made it feel like a treat. At night, we dressed up for dinner at Belvedere, located upstairs in Villa Del Parco overlooking leafy palm fronds. Sophisticated without being stuffy, it served one of the best desserts I’ve had on assignment: a decadent chocolate flan with artisan gelato.
Forte Village doesn’t just offer families a luxurious escape – it invites every generation to make their holiday what they want it to be.
Teenagers can head off to the youth club, joining watersports sessions and training with elite athletes at the sports academies.
Active grandparents can choose between tennis on one of the 12 courts or an afternoon at the spa. Smaller kids can spend entire days cycling between Mario’s Village and Barbie House (a standout from the resort’s decade-long exclusive Mattel partnership) and the Nature Park.
By the beach, there are catamarans, canoes, pedalos and windsurf boards galore. Parents? We get to dip in and out of all of it, choosing family moments altogether or going solo as couples.
In between meals, naps and swims, there’s bowling, go karting and even padel courts for the more sport-inclined. Through the concierge, families can also book hiking or explore the grounds on bikes – every villa and many hotels offer them, complete with child seats and helmets.
Forte Village has a 50% repeat rate and it’s easy to see why: it is a versatile, all-in-one solution for clients seeking a multigenerational escape thanks to a wide scope of activities on offer. And with plenty of new additions in the pipeline – namely a star gazing observatory and zip line – clients will surely enjoy coming back for more. As my family and I certainly plan to.
How to book it
Forte Village Sardinia offers double rooms from €370 per room per night based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Bungalow on a half-board basis, excluding drinks.
What agents need to know
- New at Forte Village this year is the Nature Park, which invites guests to explore scenic trails and learn about wildlife conservation. Some of the animals rehomed here from other local sanctuaries include Sardinian donkeys, Giara horses and Shetland ponies.
- Among its latest green initiatives is a desalination system that will convert 600 m3 of seawater into fresh water daily, reducing pressure on local water resources.
- Forte Village’s onsite Forte Arena is an open-air theatre that plays host to musical performances by international and Italian artists. Recent events have included Sting and Mika. If you have clients who are music fans, time a stay with an event to elevate their experience.
