This chic, pieds-dans-l'eau hotel is almost unrecognisable from its earlier guise as a Mark Warner club. Although the same basic construction, the ugly duckling has now become a handsome white swan, enhanced with a clever blend of wood, stone and immaculate lawned gardens.
The location, of course, cannot change: down a cul-de-sac lane leading to a camp-site and a mini-villa complex, the hotel stands on a narrow strip of coarse sand about 20 minutes' walk from the pretty yachting centre of St-Florent. La Roya’s look is now smart and crisply contemporary - the open atrium suggesting perhaps Spain meets the Caribbean. The pool is a good size too, sensibly protected from the wind by unobtrusive glass panels.
And the Michelin-starred restaurant provides a romantic setting for gourmet dining with the lights of St-Florent flickering across the bay. If you have eyes only for your loved one, you may not notice the titchy portions. The little port has spawned a variety of bistros and cafés which are usually choc-a-bloc with the bon viveur sailing fraternity. Choose St-Florent if you like wine tasting (the island’s best vineyards are in nearby Patrimonio), dramatic coastlines (the western side of Cap Corse is scenically spectacular) or trips to glorious beaches only accessible by boat (Lodo, Saleccia).
This is an hotel that’s brave enough to post its philosophy in reception. In our view, it is well on the way to achieving all of its ambitious goals.