11 Best Hotels in Corsica, France

Protected by thick foliage in a peaceful bay of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, the Grand Hôtel Calla Rossa emanates the feel of a tropical retreat. Stone pathways lead to a luxuriant garden of olive and palm trees and masses of oleander, jasmine, and lavender, fringed by a white-sand beach. Some rooms include balconies or terraces; there are also suites available as well a one-bedroom treehouse. Highlights of a stay here include sunbathing on the raised outdoor patio or beachside and enjoying complimentary boat rides across the gulf to the Massif de l’Ospendale. A seven-treatment room spa by NUCCA is of Japanese design with cedar floors and all facilities, including pool.

This hotel sits on a manicured hill with marvelous views of the town and citadel and feels like a private Mediterranean villa. Beyond are panoramic vistas of surrounding mountains and sparkling waters. Most rooms are within the central hotel complex, but there are also hacienda-style villas, each filled with apartments opening onto breezy patios. The ambience is au naturel, with sweet-smelling foliage and flora including olive, fig, and pine and cedar trees, as well as sage, rosemary, and lavender. Terra-cotta roof tiles, traditional-style dwellings, and stone pathways blend seamlessly into the environment.

One of the island's finest hôtels de charme, this graceful, ivy-covered Genoese-style retreat rambles down through terraced gardens to a private beach overlooking the Golfe d'Ajaccio. The best rooms have direct views of the sea from private balconies; some have whirlpools. At the candlelit restaurant L'Arbousier, a blend of traditional and nouvelle cuisine is served in the cozy interior room with ancient beams recycled from what was once the Ajaccio prison. Try fish tartare, scrambled eggs with truffles, or lobster specialties. On warm days you can dine on the terrace and enjoy the panoramic views.

More a walled château than a medieval fortress, Hôtel Castel Brando sits across from the harbor town of Erbalunga. The central building, surrounded by three outlying ones, is awash with charming old-world knickknacks: Grecian urns, wicker lamps, teapots, and candlesticks. Sumptuous furnishings include Queen Anne chairs and crimson boudoir sofas. Some rooms, cozy with vaulted ceilings and glazed tiled floors, stand along a gravel pathway lined by rosebushes, with balconies overlooking a small swimming pool screened by an orange grove. A larger outdoor swimming with a hot tub sits close to the main building.

On the edge of the Old Town, this friendly and welcoming hotel has been run since 1948 by three generations of the Holzer family. While the building is old, the rooms are regularly modernized and spruced up.

Set amid acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this luxury property sits in the shadow of mountains near Bonifato Valley. From the minute you step onto the honeycombed terra-cotta tiles of this historic 17th-century country manor—a former Genoese estate bestowed by King Louis XV—you'll see why it's part of the luxurious Relaix & Châteaux collection. Interesting artworks on the grounds include a statue of two women wandering through the garden. All rooms have a balcony or terrace. There are also apartments and villas. Amenities include an outdoor pool, a large indoor hot tub, and a modest sauna, steam room, and gym. The breakfast buffet is generous, ranging from wild strawberries and figs to local cheeses and cold cuts to five varieties of bread, including one made from chestnut flour.

A block off Cours Napoléon, this seven-story hotel with wooden shutters and friendly service is quiet enough for a peaceful sleep, yet close enough to stroll to the city's liveliest neighborhoods. Good luck opening your suitcase though—some rooms are extremely small. However, the roughly five dozen rooms each have the necessary amenities, including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi access.

At the end of a quiet promenade near the water's edge, this former post office turned hotel lies close to Place St-Nicolas and the Citadelle. The rooms are basic, with wood floors and windows you can throw open to catch the breeze. Ask for a room with a sea view. There are also a few much-appreciated extras, such as free Wi-Fi access.

On the edge of the Old Town overlooking the ramparts and sea, this friendly hotel—housed in a property that was once the home of Napoléon's nanny—offers comfortable rooms that make an ideal base for exploring Ajaccio. Rooms have a simple modern decor, and those on the Golfe d'Ajaccio side get an abundance of morning sunshine—the perfect way to greet the day on the Isle de la Beauté.

Spread out over whitewashed terraces at the edge of the Golfe d'Ajaccio, this hotel is known for its sea views, and also for its restaurant, which ranks as one of the island's better establishments for its stylish interpretations of traditional Corsican dishes. Rooms are less exciting, although they are comfortable and have been jazzed up with some modern furnishings. There are three apartments available as well.

With a charming garden overlooking the glistening waters of the bay, this four-star hotel offers great views of the picturesque town of Porticcio. Inside, a bright decor features Art Nouveau wall lamps, Queen Anne chairs, gold-leaf mirrors, colorful ceramic vases, and a spacious lobby that boasts a delightful contrast of crimson and white furnishings. Rooms include Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs, and some have sea views. For a day of relaxation in the sun, there are chaise lounges around a heated saltwater pool and hot tub and, a private hotel beach with offshore rocks—a perfect place for snorkeling. There are also two restaurants and a rooftop, open-air spa treatment area.