Hotel Les Bergeries

Chic hotel above Palombaggia beach with cool pool, stylish rooms and delicious food in the restaurant

Palombaggia is the loveliest beach on Corsica, simple as that. You stroll through shady pine trees to find 6km of golden sands and clear blue water stretching south to Sardinia. In summer, bars and restaurants open up on the bay, so join the throng of beautiful people for a spot of lunch on the beach. Afterwards, top up your tan, cool down in the water or hire a speedboat and explore this magical coast.

The hotel sits at the foot of a forested hill 700m back from the sea with hypnotic views down to the water. It’s a seriously attractive place - lush manicured gardens, golden stone buildings, an infinity pool that looks the right way. You get sun loungers flanking the terrace, and 14 decidedly attractive bedrooms, all with private terraces or balconies. Which makes it quite tricky to up sticks and head down to the beach. To help you get there, the hotel runs a shuttle service that whisks you down, dropping you off at all the best places. There’s loads to do - diving, snorkelling, waterskiing, kayaking - though if you want to relax, just throw down your towel and snooze in the sun. There are drinks on the terrace and excellent food in the restaurant when you get back. A great place to do nothing at all.

Highs

• The position here is idyllic - sun, sea, sand, sky
• Breakfast on the terrace with its watery views is a great way to start the day
• Cool bedrooms pack a punch with private terraces and a contemporary rustic feel
• The food here is excellent, the best we ate on the island: think Camembert fondue, barbecued king prawn skewers, chocolate fondant with a passion fruit coulis
• Ideal for a honeymoon, or an indulgent romantic holiday

Lows

• The Junior Suite Pavillionaires (also called Mini Villas) feel cramped and don’t get much light. Their décor is not nearly as nice as the hotel rooms', and they're not serviced in the same way; book a different room type
• Breakfast is expensive, and charging for it seems mean when a week-long minimum booking in peak season is thousands of Euros
• Palombaggia gets madly busy in July and August. Come in May when prices are lower - you’ll have the place to yourself
• The service is fine, but it doesn’t quite match the price tag that comes with it
• The restaurant is closed on Monday nights, except during peak season