20 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.

On a hillside overlooking Calvi Bay, this three-star hotel stands just minutes from downtown, and every room has a balcony with views of the bay. Numerous other amenities include a fitness center, breakfast lounge, rooftop pool, and spa.

This enchanting rustic mansion has traditional home-style cuisine and music of all kinds—including authentic Corsican polyphonic chanting—and a commanding view of the coast. Simple rooms have whitewashed walls and rustic furnishings; they can accommodate up to four people. There is also a restaurant on-site offering lunch and dinner.

Named for the faithful general in Napoléon's army, this 19th-century hotel is located on the town's quietest square. There's a cozy lounge where breakfast is served by the fireplace. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, and snowy duvets give the rooms are tasteful feel. Mountain views and balconies are available in Rooms 208 and 209.

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.

This modern hotel is full of delightful surprises, including sliding doors leading directly out to breakfast nooks beside a stream. At night you can fall asleep to the sound of the water tumbling over the gorge. Owner Dominique "Dumé" Colonna, one of France's (and certainly Corsica's) greatest soccer stars, drops by from time to time. The nearby Auberge de la Restonica serves fine Corsican fare.

On the main street through Corte, the Hôtel du Nord is perfect for budget-conscious travelers. The oldest hotel in Corte, the marble stairs still remain from the original 1833 building. Hardwood floors make the place rather charming, as do the common areas with filled with books. Breakfast is served in the neighboring bar, and packed lunches are available for those who hike to the nearby valleys.

The central location is the main draw of this simple hotel near the port, featuring air-conditioned rooms with tile floors and double-pane windows that help minimize street noise; rooms 316, 317, and 318 are the quietest. Room 214 has a charming marble chimney. 

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.

Set on an attractive location, this intimate boutique hotel is built into the ramparts of the upper town's citadel. Neutral fabrics and simple furnishings keep the rooms light and bright. Upper rooms have superb views over the cliffs. To soak up the Corsican sun, head to the spacious outdoor pool.

In this pretty 19th-century former mansion between the church and the market in downtown Calvi, cozy rooms are named after French literary figures. Opt for the Verlaine, which overlooks the city's rooftops and the port. Traditional interior design mimics a French style of yesteryear, with cherubs on walls behind quilted bedspreads. Find the restaurant in the garden under a giant magnolia tree—thus the name of the hotel.

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.

Steps away from the house where Napoléon was born, this clean and comfortable lodging with seasonal patio restaurant once served as the ancestral residence of Duke Charles-Andre Pozzo di Borgo of the notable Ajaccio family. The chic lobby is distinguished by a swank martini bar, and the modern rooms have leather furniture. Rooms 112, 211, and 311 have small balconies overlooking a cobblestone alley. There is an exceptional breakfast buffet (costs extra), and room service is offered year-round.

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.

Located just 15 minutes from Ajaccio airport, the Sofitel Golfe d'Ajaccio Thalassa Sea & Spa has a French Riviera theme and the sea is the highlight of a stay here—leave your door ajar, and the rhythmic ebb and flow of the sea over rocks outside your bedroom provides a perfect accompaniment to sleep. The white color scheme of the rooms is complemented by beige carpeting and chrome-and-silver lamp fixtures. Another highlight is the well-equipped spa. Other activity options include an outdoor swimming pool and a lawn with leisure seating.