Beach villas this good are hard to come by. Set in a row on a private road leading straight to the sand, they couldn’t be closer to the coast. Architecturally they’re stunning, all perpendicular lines and floor-to-ceiling windows - you’d never believe they’d been fashioned from former fishermen’s store shops. But the surroundings are still rugged and untouched, so you won’t find swarms of tourists milling about here. Best of all, you’re only 30 minutes from Bastia, where most international flights land, so getting here from the airport is a piece of cake.
The four villas are set one in front of the other, dropping down to the sea. At the front is the 5-bedroom villa, whose garden spills out onto the sandy beach. Behind this, three 3-bedroom villas, all with sea views of their own, and the one at the back set around a lush Mediterranean garden. The father-and-son owners brought in a skilled architect to create flowing contemporary spaces that connect inside to out, all decorated in pure white and coloured by textures and patterned fabrics. It's very slick. Each villa has its own small pool out on the terrace and heaps of space for a family.
Walk down to Taglio-Isolaccio beach for sunbathing, swimming or SUPing, or drive out to explore the island - you’re well placed for gadding about. Drive up the coast to pretty Cap Corse in the north, head inland to hike in the mountains, or spend time beach hopping - there are lots of great ones nearby.
Highs
- All of the villas are mere metres from the beach; from the 5-bed villa, you can literally step out from the garden onto the sand
- The architecture is refreshingly slick and modern, with clean lines, pristine white walls, and huge windows gazing out to sea
- A small pool for every villa, and a private bathroom for every bedroom
- Excellent for families: a choice of 3- or 5-bedroom villas; loads of space inside and out; table tennis tables in every villa
- Well located for exploring the island - Bastia (direct flights from the UK) is 30 minutes away, there are lots of beautiful beaches nearby, and great hiking trails in the mountains
Lows
- No baths in any of the villas
- You'll need a car to get here
- In contrast to the smart villas, the surroundings are rather scrubby
- Weekly rentals only (Sat-Sat)
- Note the sizeable cleaning fee and security deposit
Best time to go
The weather is lovely from early spring to mid-autumn, though very hot in July and August. May is a good month to visit, as temperatures are pleasant, it's not too busy, and the seasonal airlines have started flying in. Walkers and those looking for a more relaxed visit should consider April-May and September-October. The villas are open all year - a rarity for Med villas.
Our top tips
When it comes to catering, basic kitchen supplies (salt, pepper, oil) are provided in all villas, and there are supermarkets, shops, restaurants and cafes within a 5km radius. The nearest big supermarket is Leclerc in Folleli, a 5-minute drive away.
If you fancy a night off from cooking, a private chef can be arranged, or walk down to the beach to eat at L’Albore restaurant, which has wide sea views. I Fuletti in Folelli also comes recommended for its typical Corsican fare.
If you fancy a night off from cooking, a private chef can be arranged, or walk down to the beach to eat at L’Albore restaurant, which has wide sea views. I Fuletti in Folelli also comes recommended for its typical Corsican fare.
- Beach Villas
- 4 villas for 6-10
- Self-catering (restaurant nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
- Villa manager
3-bedroom Villas
Turquoise Villa
Of the three 3-bedroom villas, Turquoise is the closest to the beach (though none are very far away). It’s all centred around the swimming pool, with the kitchen-diner and the bedrooms having direct access via sliding doors. The bedrooms are all queensize doubles, and each has its own ensuite shower bathroom. Stairs from the dining room lead up to the first floor, where a lovely, light-filled lounge with turquoise sofas and a coffee table fashioned from a tree trunk spills out onto a sun-trap terrace looking straight out to sea.
Apricot Villa
Three rows back from the beach, Apricot Villa comes with those all-important ocean vistas. The layout is similar to Turquoise, with the kitchen-diner and three queenside bedrooms on the ground floor, all with ensuite shower bathrooms and access to the pool. Upstairs is the lounge, decorated with wicker lampshades, apricot sofas and warm colours. This room opens to a large terrace and adjoining garden with a table tennis table.
Garden Villa
The Garden Villa sits at the back, but don’t be fooled into thinking you’re far from the sea - you can see it from the first floor and walk to the shore in minutes (120 metres away). The villa’s leafy surroundings give it a calming close-to-nature feel, having been constructed around palm, eucalyptus and pine trees. As with the other villas, the layout is topsy-turvy, with the bedrooms set around the pool on the ground floor - all queensize four-posters with shower bathrooms - and the living spaces on the first floor. But in this villa, the kitchen-diner is up top too. The smart lounge has an enormous slate-coloured sofa and an oversized wicker lampshade dangling above, and we love the wall of slim picture windows framing the surroundings.
5-bedroom Villa
Enjoying front-row seats of the sea, the plush Beachfront Villa practically touches the sand. It’s all laid out on one floor, comprising 5 bedrooms (4 doubles, 1 twin, funky artwork, all ensuite), a living-dining room, and a kitchen separated from the other communal spaces by a glass partition wall. The beautiful, contemporary lounge, furnished with pieces from Brazilian designers and modern art from a local painter, is fronted by wide sliding doors leading to the patio and the sea beyond.
Outside, chill under the pergola or flop in the hammock, eat together at the long dining table, or go for a dip in the plunge pool (which is also a jacuzzi) among the pine trees. There’s table tennis and a pétanque court, too.
Activities
- If you fancy a change of beach, there are other beautiful ones just along the coast: try Plage de Talasani (4km) which is usually quiet and has parking right beside it, or Plage San Pellegrino (6km) for safe swimming and a beach restaurant. If you like snorkelling, head slightly further up the coast to Arinella beach (33 km)
- Explore the Genoese city of Bastia (36km), which drips with olde worlde charm. See the citadel, dating back to the 14th Century, the Palais des Gouverneurs, which contains the Bastia museum, and the nearby Sainte-Marie Cathedral. Place St Nicolas is the main square, and the old port has some good waterfront restaurants
- A tour of the Cap Corse, the northern peninsula, is a must. Take the scenic coast road, which has stunning views, and stop at picturesque coves and villages along the way - Nonza and Erbalunga are highlights
- More than half of Corsica is a nature reserve, making it great for hiking. Avid trekkers can attempt a section of the famous GR20, a 180km trail that winds its way along the spine of the Corsican mountains, but there are plenty of other routes for beginners
- Also in the mountains is Corte (60km), known for its citadel and Museum of Corsica - come to learn about the history, culture and traditions of the island
- Visit Etang de Biguglia, the largest lagoon on the island and a haven for birdwatchers
Kids
This is a dream setup for a family. The villas sleep 6-10 and have private access to Taglio-Isolaccio beach. All have their own pool (though none are particularly large), their own table tennis table, and are well set up for self-catering. The local beach offers safe swimming and fun in the sand, and there's a restaurant there for lunches out. High chairs and baby cots can be provided.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
All the villas work for families. Which one you choose depends on your family size. The Beachfront Villa has five bedrooms, the others each have three. Most bedrooms are doubles, though there is a twin in the Beachfront Villa, and all of them are on the ground floor. Every bedroom is ensuite, but note that they are shower only (no baths).
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- High chair
- Potty
- Baby bedding
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Table tennis
- Swimming
Kids Activities nearby:
- Parc Galea (3-minute walk) has gardens, museums and interactive activities for all ages
- Beaches
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
- Day trips around Cap Corse
Families Should Know:
Pools are unfenced.
Distances:
- Airport: 30 mins
- Hospital: 1 hour (Bastia)
- Supermarket: 5 mins
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Corsica Boutique Villas are located beside the beach of Taglio-Isolaccio, on the east coast of Corsica. The nearest town is Figareto, 2km away. The city of Bastia is a 45-minute drive north.
By Air:
Bastia is the nearest airport (20km) and is well-served by many international airlines, so you can fly direct from the UK and other European cities.
From the Airport
We'd recommend hiring a car - see our car rental recommendations.
By Sea:
Ferries link Bastia or Calvi with Nice, Marseilles and Toulon in France, and with Livorno, Genoa and Savona in Italy.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Bastia Poretta 20.0 km BIA
- Calvi 103.0 km CLY
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 4.0 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape