Oletta lies on a twisty road between Bastia and the west coast; there's no shop or bistro - just a collection of houses clinging to the hillside. And as you would expect from the finest house in the village, Palazzu Serenu (now dubbed Aethos Corsica) has spectacular views over the Nebbiu plain towards the Gulf of St Florent.
Georges Barthes is the owner. Together with interior architect Nathalie Battesti, he has created an hotel which more than lives up to its name. His brief was for a serene place where his guests could enjoy peace, comfort, refinement and discreet yet friendly service. A setting where he could also share his passion for contemporary art - there are paintings and sculptures throughout the hotel, contrasting masterfully with the italianate style of the handsome 17th century building. The result is breathtaking.
You'll recognise, of course, the usual boutique-chic colours in the rooms. And Barthes has splashed out on solid oak floors and obscenely comfortable beds. 1st and 2nd floor rooms have the best 'Golfe' views, just magical at sunset. The restaurant has been reinstated and the chef deserves high praise but guests are also happy to amble up to a family-run auberge in the village and imbibe the sublime sunsets from its terrace.
Romantic? Oh, yes. Exquisite? Most definitely.