Idea Hotel Cagliari Santa Maria is a mid-range, chain hotel with 129 rooms in dire need of an update. Room furnishings are worn, and the decor looks as if it were haphazardly slapped together. The hotel is short on amenities, but it’s a 10-minute drive from the airport and provides a generous, free breakfast buffet with a variety of items. Guests who want more amenities may want to check out the Holiday Inn Cagliari, a modern hotel near the airport with a pool and fitness center -- and higher rates.