The island of Corsica, in the heart of the Mediterranean, is a fabulous holiday destination with idyllic sandy beaches, lapped by the bluest of waters and a rugged, mountainous interior that is quite spectacular and perfect hiking country. The people are friendly and welcoming and the food, with Italian and French influences, is superb. Hire a car and you’ll be free to explore at your will, discovering secluded coves and ancient hill-top villages.
In the south of the island, in the citadel town of Porto Vecchio (above), I recently had the opportunity to visit a particularly lovely hotel in a fantastic location overlooking the bay.
Hôtel Le Goéland
Avenue Georges Pompidou, 20137 Porto-Vecchio. Tel. +33 (0)4 95 70 14 15
Right on the waterfront, with a stunning view of the bay of Porto Vecchio and its own private beach and mini marina, Hôtel Le Goéland is the perfect choice for any lovers of the sea. With just 34 rooms and suites, the hotel offers a personal, friendly service and you will soon feel quite at home. Throughout the hotel great attention to detail has been paid.
The rooms are light and stylish with queen size beds and air-conditioning but no wi-fi or mini fridge.
I’d particularly recommend those on the ground floor with their own private terraces and direct access to the waterfront. Alternatively, there are some lovely suites, each with a private terrace and a panoramic view of the bay.
Restaurant
The hotel has a fabulous restaurant, which is also open to non residents. The food is excellent, serving a mixture of international and local cuisine and at a reasonable price. The desserts here, in particular are exquisite.
If you fancy a change, the historic, old town of Porto Vecchio is just a short walk away, where you’ll find a good choice of restaurants, many with fabulous views from the citadel walls across the bay. You’ll also find more restaurants around the marina.
Southern Corsica
Hôtel Le Goéland is an excellent base from which to explore the extreme south of Corsica. There are a multitude of fabulous beaches and the historic town of Bonifacio is also close by. A hire car is strongly recommended to make the best of this beautiful region. Drive inland into Corsica’s interior and you’ll discover mountain streams and waterfalls by some of the most lovely hiking country you could hope to find anywhere. Alternatively take a boat trip to discover the coastline including the lovely Lavazzi Islands.
All the details
Hôtel Le Goéland
Location: Avenue Georges Pompidou, 20137 Porto-Vecchio.
Reservations: +33 (0)4 95 70 14 15
Email: contact@hotelgoeland.com
Website: HotelGoeland.com
Hotel star rating: 4 stars
Number of rooms: 34 rooms
Room types: Pins, Pins terrace, Spacious, Superior on the ground floor, Superior with terrace on floor, Superior Panoramic, Suite
From price per room low season (standard): 120 € (« Pins » room type)
From price per room low season (highest upgraded room or suite): 250 € (« Suite » room type)
Standard room facilities: shower, dryer, safe, tv, air-conditioning
Highest Upgraded room facilities: shower or bath / shower and bath, dryer, tv, safe, air-conditioning
Hotel facilities: restaurant, private beach, private car park, private port, free wi-fi, laundry service, safe
For up-to-date prices and information please visit the hotels website, Hôtel Le Goéland.
For package holidays from the UK please visit Corsican Places.
Related Review: A Merula, beautiful holiday apartments in the heart of Calvi, Corsica
Boutique Travel Blog’s founder and editor, Kathryn, also blogs at TravelWithKat.com where she shares her passion for discovering new countries, cultures and cuisines.
our kind of place, thank you for the insight. Having dabbled our toes into Sardinia this summer, and gawked out the plane window at Corsica – I really do want to go visit and this is the sort of place i’d be looking for!
I’m sure you’d love Corsica as much as I do Anna. And I hope you get to visit one day as well as seeing more of Sardinia. They are both beautiful with stunning scenery and very welcoming people.
What a dreamy location, you’ve completely sold me. All that water and beach, when I finally get there, this is just the type of place I’d like to stay.
I love the green lawn in front of the hotel with the view of the sea. Such stunning colours. Great shot and a very helpful review. Thanks.
It should have been such nice holidays in this amazing island! Enjoying the sea, the sun and the food as it is a french island which goes with it gastronomy heritage!