Ultra modern, luxurious and minimalist, Hotel Casadelmar is set in a residential area of smart villas and a few small hotels some 4 miles from PV’s old town. The pretty gardens are lapped by the Gulf of Porto Vecchio and the views over the harbour to the mountains beyond are particularly memorable at sunset.
Hence tranquillity is assured – unless, of course, the hotel’s helicopter pad is in regular use. Normally, however, the well-heeled clientèle arrive in their Monaco registered Bentleys and head straight for the heated infinity pool to soak up the sun and those views. At a lower level, the sea is accessible from a couple of sandy strips beside the boat jetty but stunning Palombaggia beach is about five minutes’ drive (assuming you can park).
Other plus points are the wonderful spa and, for dinner, the restaurant - albeit minus its second Michelin star for 2014. There is nowhere to walk in the immediate vicinity but guests seem content to chill out on the spacious balconies of their accommodations. Room prices are stratospheric, particularly in the recently added 'villa' where you can rent a 120 m2 suite with a private pool for just over £12,000 per night (I kid you not).
Casadelmar offers contemporary hospitality par excellence. Yet for some it may verge towards pretention and, let's face it, a place like this has little to do with the real Corsica.