Hotels

The best and most beautiful hotels in South Corsica

Whether you want to explore or just relax, indulge or fill up on activities. From Ajaccio to Bonifacio, from Porto Vecchio to Cavalo, Yonder has selected the finest hotels in South Corsica.

Close your eyes. The intoxicating scents of the maquis and the steady song of the cicadas. The lazy waves kissing the sand. In the distance, a polyphonic chant. And the sun, alternately scorching and soothing: Corsica, the southern part of the island, where we long to rest for a few days of eternity.

1. Les Oliviers de Palombaggia | Porto-Vecchio

The pitch: a family story.

Just a few kilometers from Porto-Vecchio, in southeastern Corsica, Les Oliviers de Palombaggia stands on the idyllic blue waters of the Mediterranean, enveloped by the estate's centuries-old olive trees. With its stone architecture and Roman tile roofs, this South Corsican hotel blends in perfectly with its surroundings. And with good reason. On this family estate handed down from generation to generation, the traditional sheepfolds were renovated 30 years ago by the current owners. An ode to Corsican tradition and a deeply human address.

les Oliviers de Palombaggia

This succession of renovations has given rise to an estate that's all about authenticity. Its resolutely elegant, rustic feel gives the place a serenity connected to its heritage. Here, everything is done to promote this family history, from the local materials used by Corsican craftsmen to the fresh produce from the vegetable garden, henhouse and cheese dairy, to be enjoyed over breakfast on the terrace.

What's the hotel like? While you can enjoy the communal areas and gardens, the whole concept of the estate lies in its intimate accommodations, 7 villas and 6 suites, each with its own private pool or spa, fully-equipped sun terrace and outdoor bathroom.

One of the two junior suites has a whirlpool bath, while the other boasts a swimming pool. The four 50m2 Pools Suites, nestled in the heart of the maquis, also offer a design perfectly balanced between the charm of the countryside and the purity of luxurious, handcrafted furnishings. Here, stone and wood - juniper, olive and chestnut - take pride of place, with rusticity and authenticity the watchwords. Baroque gilded mirrors combine with white stone arches, wooden and wicker lamps, and raw-wood sliding doors, a simplicity that enhances the sea views through the pine trees that gently dance in the breeze.

A harmonious atmosphere and a wilderness setting that can be found in the various villas, with panoramic views over the region, and accommodating the whole family and friends (from 4 to 6 people). Here, too, the history of the estate can be seen in the pebbles that form the floor of the showers, picked up on the beach, or the cupboard doors, former cheese-making boards, where you can still see the imprint of the tommes.

les Oliviers de Palombaggia

Why book? For that incomparable feeling of freedom when you find yourself bubbling away by the pool, without a care in the world. The hotel's services take over from there: breakfast basket with local produce, aperitif preparation, cheese delivery from the Casa di Petra farm, boat hire by the day or half-day, electric bikes, paddles... boredom and overwork impossible!

Les Oliviers de Palombaggia is also the perfect setting for a wedding overlooking the sea, a wellness retreat in the heart of nature or a christening in the reception building with its picturesque arches. In this romantic, bohemian-chic setting, the team at the hotel in Corse du Sud will do their utmost to create a memorable event, catering to your every need and making the most of the lush gardens and olive groves for an unforgettable setting.

les Oliviers de Palombaggia

Les Oliviers de Palombaggia
6 suites and 7 villas, from €500 per night

3-night minimum stay for a suite, one week for a villa
Route de Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio

2. Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa

In the heart of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, the Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa is a 5-star hotel that epitomizes Mediterranean elegance. Located in the large private estate of Cala Rossa, this family-run hotel features 39 rooms and suites with shaded terraces overlooking the pine forest or the sea.

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Families will particularly appreciate the ground-floor suites, equipped with outdoor spaces, while couples will be seduced by the exclusive cabana perched on the seafront. The surrounding sandy beach and coves provide an idyllic setting for relaxation. As for the stilt restaurant, you can enjoy the island's finest dishes with your feet in the water. On the menu are Italian specialties such as Vitello Tonato, Italian-style Tigelles and Octopus Carpaccio.

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The 500 square metre Nucca spa is a real tribute to Corsican nature. Treatments include products inspired by the essences of the maquis, such as cistus, immortelle, myrtle and lavender. Facilities include a hammam and sauna, but that's not all... There's also a hairdressing salon and a herbal tea room, offering a complete wellness experience. A destination of choice for lovers of luxury and tranquillity in Southern Corsica.

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Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa
39 keys from €263 per night
Cala Rossa, 20137 Lecci

3. U Capu Biancu | Bonifacio

The pitch: a winding road through the maquis, 20 minutes from Bonifacio. At the end, or almost at the end, is U Capu Biancu, a 4-star hotel (worth 5) run by a passionate couple. Nestled in superb gardens above the Gulf of Santa Manza and its three beaches, it has all the makings of an address to keep to yourself. This deceptively cluttered estate features 41 rooms and suites, plus two villas for even greater privacy. After all, serenity is what you come here for.

You'll quickly feel the vacation home feeling, the bohemian, wild and authentic spirit that makes this a most welcoming hotel. The cuisine is equally astonishing. Not because most of the produce is local - when it isn't from the permaculture vegetable garden - and naturally seasonal, and the jams and cakes are homemade. But because the chef, Gadio El Hadji, happily takes Corsican cuisine and, with a certain audacity, slips in flavours from Senegal, his country of origin. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy Corsican cheeses and charcuterie accompanied by an equally local wine. Between June and September, the main restaurant is joined by a straw hut overlooking the bay, just a few steps from the small beaches. There are three of them, within easy reach (and inaccessible from anywhere other than the hotel, as they are surrounded by cliffs and scrubland), each with its own ambience: active and noisy, just in front of the straw hut, a private pontoon, for kayaking or paddle-boarding; quietly laid out for daydreaming, installed on a four-poster bed; or wild and secret, the time for a robinsonnade. The spa, too, is discreet and intimate. Ideal for a massage for two, with the scent of the maquis. A swimming pool, as sublime as a lagoon, playing with its curves and shades of blue, a pool table for friends and a gym for a yoga class. We'll have to wait until Monday for the melancholy of a few polyphonies to resound in the bar.

Breakfast at U Capu Biancu © DR

What are the rooms like? From rooms to suites with the most beautiful sea views, each key is an invitation to escape and has been designed by Sylvir Limongi, the owner's love of antiques and a decorator bubbling over with ideas, who draws her inspiration from her travels and Corsican tradition. Some keys even feature a pool or jacuzzi, a fireplace, a terrace... No two rooms are alike.

chambre standard maquis hôtel de luxe u capu biancu bonifacio corse du sud

What makes the difference? Borrowing a kayak provided by the hotel to paddle along the cliffs and find a virgin beach for timeless moments.

The room to book? One of the villas with private pool: two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and toilet. With a garden where you can swing a hammock, a summer kitchen and its plancha, you're in for a real vacation.

What's important to remember? A charming boutique hotel with simple luxury, pleasant service and just the right amount of activities. One of our favorite Corsican hotels, and our favorite in southern Corsica.

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U Capu Biancu
41 keys, from €410 per night.
Domaine de Pozzoniello, 20169 Bonifacio

4. Casa Santini X roc seven | Porto Vecchio

A strange name for the rebirth of this hotel, a house that tells a story. That of a small restaurant, the first in Porto-Vecchio, opened in 1922 by Florinda Santini. It wasn't until 1963 that the rooms of Le Goéland were added. 60 years later, named after its current owner, Jean-Marc Santini, it has been cheerfully renovated by the Fahrenheit Seven group. With the port and the Citadelle as its neighbors, Casa Santini X roc seven nevertheless shelters from view love 34 rooms and suites from 16 to 47m2. With or without terrace, but always with a view over the bay of Porto-Vecchio.

rocsevenportovecchio ©erouanet chambre 2w

A Mediterranean garden planted with maritime pines and palm trees, a well-combed lawn, a private beach: the site is enchanting. And the cuisine? Inevitably Mediterranean, with a generous spread of dishes from Corsica, Italy and Spain, the better to savour summer and all its fresh produce. A terrace on the water's edge, whether you choose the shade or the sun, the sea is there, at your fingertips.

rocsevenportovecchio ©erouanet extérieurs 3w

We particularly like? You can even arrive by sea: the private port has 20 moorings for mooring, lunch and, why not, hospitality.

Casa Santini X Roc Seven
34 keys from €149 per night

Avenue Georges Pompidou, 20137 Porto-Vecchio

A Mediterranean garden of maritime pines, palm trees and well-combed lawns, a private beach: the site is enchanting.

5. Casa Santa Teresa | Ajaccio

Ajaccio and its market square are just a few minutes away by car. Take the road to the Iles Sanguinaires, and there it is, a villa straight out of a fifties film, its foundations facing the sea. It's a real home, 400m2 in size, where you can't wait to get away from it all. Architect Amelia Tavella, a native of the area, took great care in renovating the villa. Drawing her inspiration from everything that makes the Mediterranean so charming, she gave it a streamlined look, communicating with nature through its large openings. White, of course, with its shades of azure and sand that have seeped in to magnify everything.

Casa Santa Teresa ©Thibaut DIni

Terracotta, wood and ceramics, rattan and leather: the materials, too, borrow from nature. 5 rooms, which welcome the sun's caresses. From the kitchen to the living room, from the terraces to the pool, from the chaise longue to the long table: the perfect setting for a family or friendly gathering, an invitation to get away from it all.

We particularly like? The fantastic location overlooking a secret little beach with direct access.

Casa Santa Teresa ©Thibaut DIni

Casa Santa Teresa
5 rooms for up to 12 people, From €980 per night for the whole house, 3 nights minimum.

20000 Ajaccio

6. Hotel Don Cesar | Porto-Vecchio

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Hotel Don Cesar offers a spectacle of natural beauty and dazzles with its privileged position in the bay of Porto-Vecchio. Designed by Édouard Cardi, architect and husband of owner Marie-Ange Cardi, this five-star establishment, set in a two-hectare pine forest, preserves its relaxed, family atmosphere while offering refined luxury... Decorated with classic furniture and precious fabrics, all 39 rooms and suites have a balcony or loggia overlooking the sea or the old town of southern Corsica. The outdoor facilities, with 2 pools (one of which is infinity-edge) and direct access to the beach, invite you to relax to the sound of the waves. Behind its large picture windows, the gourmet restaurant - headed by Italian chef Yuri Longobardi - celebrates Mediterranean terroir, while the waterfront paillote offers an unforgettable culinary experience during the summer months, as the sun sets over the bay. As for the Nuxe spa (the only one of its kind in Corsica), the space promises moments of pure relaxation with its relaxation pool, treatment cabins and fitness room.

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Hotel Don Cesar
39 rooms and suites 7 villas. From €650 per night.

Rue du Commandant Dominique Quilici, 20137 Porto-Vecchio

7. Hotel & Spa des Pêcheurs | Cavallo Island

Its name sounds like an ode to simplicity, and that's exactly what Hotel & Spa des Pêcheurs stands for, the only one in the Lavezzi archipelago, a marine sanctuary south of Bonifacio and Corsica. a 15-minute boat ride and the island of Cavallo looms into view. A solid granite house, bungalows with balconies overlooking the sea and a few rocks: the beach is private. 48 rooms and suites, contemporary furnishings in gradations of beige and white, again promoting a certain modesty. The accents of the staff are often transalpine; Sardinia really isn't far away. It even creeps into the main restaurant. The pop-up Beach Restaurant "Antica Pesa Mare" is also well worth a visit. Two swimming pools and a wide range of activities: a small spa, bike hire - and even electric buggies to discover the island at your own pace. There are no cars here, but boats and a diving center will satisfy your desire to get moving.

Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs, the only hotel on Cavallo island, arguably the most luxuriant of the Lavezzi archipelago © MTC

What do we particularly like? The guaranteed change of scenery and tranquillity of a car-free island.

Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs
48 keys. From €400 per night.

Cavallo Island, 20169 Bonifacio

8. Hotel Casadelmar | Porto-Vecchio

A delicately dolce vita atmosphere pervades this member of Leading Hotels of the World. Facing the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, nestled in the heart of a two-hectare park planted with trees, this boutique hotel boasts contemporary architecture and 34 tastefully decorated rooms. We choose it for the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. The space too - from 35 to 78m2. The warmth of the wood, the well-matched tones, the detail of a photo, everything is carefully arranged. The 2 restaurants, from the Grill under the pergolas to the 2-Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, are full of well-mastered Mediterranean flavours, where chef Fabio Bragagnolo magnificently brings Italian specialties to life.

Hôtel Casadelmar © Fabeinne Rossi

We particularly like? The superb infinity pool, from which you can enjoy the soothing panorama without ever tiring of it.

Hôtel Casadelmar © Fabeinne Rossi

Casadelmar
34 keys. From 530€ per night.

Route de Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio

8. A Cheda Hotel & Spa | Bonifacio

You have to know how to meander above Bonifacio, take the time to abandon yourself and discover, almost by chance, this jealously preserved address, A Cheda Hotel. This lodge, as it calls itself, has just 18 rooms and suites scattered around a deceptively wild, superbly tamed garden, where numerous endemic species flourish. The tone is set for an address where nature has its say. This begins with the use of eco-friendly, salvaged materials, which only adds to the allure of these individually styled settings.

Piscine © A Cheda

Stone, lime plaster and all those details that add their own touch of charm: a waxed concrete bathtub, linen, driftwood and sunny colors to better encapsulate the Mediterranean. Some are duplexes, others have private saunas, and all have small terraces. When it's time to sit down to dinner, your taste buds are awakened: the cuisine is gastronomic, awarded a Michelin plate and the title of Maître Restaurateur. The fish is local, the vegetable garden organic, and there's even a Kilometre Zero menu! Of course, there's a heated swimming pool, as well as a Jacuzzi. A moment in the sauna, a Thai massage or a Swedish treatment. All that's left to do is head to the bar and choose a cocktail while listening to the music.

We particularly like? Owner Edmond's long-standing commitment to responsible purchasing, natural resource management and short supply chains.

A Cheda Hotel
18 keys. From €142 per night.

Cavallo Morto, 20169 Bonifacio

All locations are independently selected by our specialist journalists. If you make a reservation, we may receive an affiliate commission.

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