A charming guest-house in the heart of Bastia, A Casa Reale provides a taste of authentic Corsican living without compromising on your creature comforts. It’s a great spot from which to explore both Bastia and wider Cap Corse, with it’s unspoiled beaches and pretty villages.
There are only 4 rooms, and the current rate (for May 2023) is £210 p/n. My pick is “chambre grise” with french doors opening to a sunny terrace.
A short boat-ride from Porto Vecchio transports you to a hotel which feels worlds away, a lesson in low-key luxury epitomised by its casual, beach-y feel. It’s a 5* hotel with award-winning dining options and an enviable stretch of private beach, but the friendly, relaxed service makes this a great option for families.
The current rate for the most basic room option (for May 2023) is £290 p/n (breakfast included). In the basic room category, no distinction is made price-wise between rooms with a sea view and those without, so make sure you email in advance requesting one!
This 4* spa hotel attracts a young, low-key crowd; days are spent flopped on one of their two private beaches, exploring secret bays by boat or staying active with paddle boarding and petanque. There is an emphasis on wellness, encapsulated by the locally sourced produce served at meals and twice-weekly complimentary yoga classes.
The current rate for the most basic room option (for May 2023) is £338 p/n (breakfast included).
This 5* hotel is a slice of paradise in Corsica’s less-trodden Cap Corse peninsula. Offering 29 stylish rooms, plus a handful of villa’s for ultimate privacy, it’s small enough to maintain a ‘boutique’ feel, but provides a full-service spa, gym, private beach and exemplary restaurant.
The current rate for the most basic room option (for May 2023) is £275 p/n, while £347 gets you a sea-view (breakfast included).
Cap Corse is the peninsula situated at the northern tip of the island and less developed than other areas; renting a car is a must, and my favourite villages are: Erbalunga, Porticcilio, Nonza, Centura, St Florent, L’ille Rousse, plus Barcaggio beach.
Porto Vecchio is a glamorous town in the south of the island; it’s perfect for those that want variety and aren’t willing to forgo fine-dining and retail-therapy.
Désert des Agriates national park is an area in Haute-Corse (just south of Cap Corse) which is largely uninhabited and home to some of the island’s best beaches. Saleccia is a favourite, and best explored by hopping on a boat in St Florent; getting there by car is possible but I wouldn’t recommend anything smaller than a 4x4 for navigating the dirt roads. Its inaccessibility means you can usually enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters in relative peace.
I Scalini is perched on top of a hilltop village and offers simple, fresh food for reasonable prices. I’d recommend going early enough to catch the spectacular sunset from the rooftop and, if you’re not staying in Sant’Antonino, to dedicate at least an hour to exploring the pretty village’s winding streets.
This casual restaurant offers an elevated beach dining experience without venturing far from your sun-bed; perfect for fuss-free lunches and dinners.
Casadelmar is one of the most luxurious hotels on the island and offers a 2-Michelin Star restaurant to match. This is one for a special occasion, it’s a gourmet experience with both an exquisite setting, and seafood.
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