Hotel Casadelmar

Casadelmar sits on a hillside on the south shore of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, a long, low building of wood and glass by the architect Jean-François Bodin. It follows the slope rather than standing above it, so the garden and the water are always in view: three hectares of olive trees, palms, cypress and maquis, planted by the landscape designer Jean Mus.

There are 34 rooms and suites, from 35 to 75 square metres, and each one faces the sea from its own terrace. Inside, pale wood, white walls and a few bold pieces of furniture leave the light off the gulf to do most of the work. Below the rooms, a heated 25 metre pool runs to the edge of the garden, and a private jetty gives you direct access to the sea, with boats and water sports on the gulf arranged by the concierge.

Food is a large part of a stay. At the top of the hotel, the gastronomic restaurant has held two Michelin stars since 2009, with Italian chef Fabio Bragagnolo cooking Corsican and Italian produce. Down by the shore, Il Pontile is the easy option, its terrace set right over the water. The myBlend spa has a hammam, a sauna and a gym with a view across the bay. The hotel opens for the season, from spring into early October.