Domaine de Misincu

Opened in 2017, Domaine de Misincu is located in Cap Corse, the island’s wildest and arguably most beautiful part. It’s a contemporary design, housed in a multi-level building with white-washed architecture that is reminiscent of Greece – the Instagram factor is high here.

• The remoteness of the property, located high in the Cap Corse, the northern-most part of Corscia
• Dinner on the terrace with jaw-dropping views
• The spacious guest rooms, especially the chic bathrooms
• The incredible breakfast buffet, all homemade and with local produce and baked goods, including cakes, charcuterie and cheese

Corsica isn’t the kind of place that celebrates new hotel openings every season, and most of the island’s top properties sit along the beach-lined resort towns of Corse-du-Sud, so naturally, it was big news when a newcomer arrived on the northern scene in 2017. But stylish Domaine Misíncu made an even bigger splash thanks to where it opened. The 29-room hotel is located on rugged Cap Corse, the island’s most remote and—many argue—most beautiful region.

Only 24 miles long and six miles wide, Cap Corse packs a panoramic punch with vertiginous winding roads traversing mountain passes, hilltop villages that look like they were chiseled out of granite; raven black-sand beaches; and breezy port towns that face an often-wild sea. And Misíncu is not politely perched at the entrance of this natural wonderland—it sits deep within, a one-hour drive north of Bastia, on a hilltop with spectacular sea views.

Francophiles might recognize the former site of the Hotel Caribou, a summer haunt for such reluctant stars as Serge Gainsbourg and Alain Delon, who found southern Corsica too glitzy. A few details of the old hotel remain, including a psychedelic mural, but for the most part, owners Sylvain Giudicelli and Reza Zographos re-envisioned the property as a contemporary stunner. Indeed, with its cubic architecture, large arches and open courtyards, the white-washed building reminds more of Greece than France. All is centered around an enormous terrace with panoramic sea views and a sizable, aquamarine-tiled swimming pool, lined with fragrant gardens.

The 29 rooms are spread through the three-story building, and nearly all of them have partial or full sea views. Interiors were intentionally kept minimal, with a monochromatic color scheme and natural materials. A wellness vibe prevails, from the flowing dress-uniforms of the young but engaged staff to the organic bath products by indie fragrance brand Zenology. Rooms are spacious and airy, with a particular emphasis on great bathrooms (Junior Suites and Suites come with bathtubs; the rest have large showers). There’s a very nice spa, a small gym and a terrific restaurant with an often-changing menu. The breakfast is one of the island’s best, with an array of homemade cakes, pastries, jams, charcuterie, cheeses and chutneys to make the best Provencal property jealous.

On the bottom of the bluff and across a winding two lane-road road, Misíncu has a small beach club, open from mid-June through September (though overall, Cap Corse is not the place for beach babies; the sandy stretches are better around Calvi and Porto-Vecchio). Most guests while away the days by Misíncu’s gorgeous pool or on one of the many plush white chaises on the terrace. “The sun made love to the sea so often that they finally gave birth to Corsica,” wrote Le Petit Prince author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry about Corsica. At Misíncu, with those mesmerizing views, you have no trouble believing this to be true.

Anyone who wants to explore the Cap Corse, a hiking paradise. It’s also a good fit for a few days of relaxing, with great meals, spa- and pool-time.

The closest airport is Bastia, about a one-hour drive from Misíncu. Nervous drivers should book a transfer through the hotel. The coastal road is spectacular but windy, so it’s best enjoyed when someone else is at the wheel.