La Plage Casadelmar

The beach furniture looked shabby, and on windy days the hotel's beach wasn't as pleasant as some more sheltered beaches. You also need a car to reach good alternatives for dining. We liked the secluded setting, comfortable rooms, and friendly, very polite staff. Service could be slow, though, and the restaurant was average and overpriced. A lovely hotel, just not the five-star experience we expected.

The boat ride between La Plage Casadelmar and the hotel Casadelmar was a fun idea, giving us two different experiences within the same hotel. We tried the Grill and the fine dining restaurant, and both had a fantastic atmosphere, views, and food. The location and views were amazing, and not far from Porto Vecchio. We had a great stay with my wife and our five-year-old. The rooms were simple and good, though below the standard of continental Europe. Hotel staff were generally helpful, but from the second half of our stay the restaurant seemed understaffed. The waiters looked stressed and overwhelmed, and service suffered. Prices are high for the food quality, so it feels like you're paying a premium for the atmosphere and unique view. We'd return and recommend the hotel, keeping those points in mind.

For rooms costing over €1000 minimum per night, the cute design still felt basic, and the quality didn't justify the price. Cocktails at €25 should be perfect and come with better snacks. Often there was nobody at the beach bar or reception. The food was good, though, and the staff were lovely, if quite junior. Everything felt a little overpriced for what you got.

I stopped by the bar area today and paid €24 for two small beers. That's outrageous, three times what they cost anywhere else in Corsica. The seating looked tired and dirty, and sunbeds blocked the sea view.