Hotel La Villa

This sprawling villa-style property, owned by a local Corsican family, has an indoor and four outdoor pools, a fabulous spa and tennis courts and a true sense of place, thanks to spot-on views of Calvi's citadelle.

• The breathtaking view of Calvi's 13th-century Citadel perched above the port
• The sumptuous suites with terraces
• The private boat excursions to the Deserts des Agriats that can be arranged by the hotel
• The lovely team, many of who have been at La Villa for years

One of the island's first luxury hotels owned by the Corsican-born Pinelli family, La Villa sits on a hilltop with direct views of bay of Calvi. The 55-room hotel occupies seven acres and is housed in various clusters of white-washed buildings, giving the whole thing the feel of a deeply stylish vacation village. The room interiors may lack some originality, but with their warm earth tones and spacious white-marble bathrooms, they are all deeply comfortable. Most of them also have sea views. There are five pools, tennis courts and a beautiful spa, which offers daily classes including yoga and Pilates.

The pièce-de-resistence of La Villa, however, is the panoramic dining terrace, organized around an infinity pool that showcases part of the owners' whimsical contemporary art collection (suffice it to say that oversized ducks in eye-popping colors populate this pool). Tables have spot-on views of Calvi and the Italian-Mediterranean cuisine is as beautifully prepared as it is delicious.

Couples and families who are looking for a centrally-located hotel with a resort feel; foodies, tennis enthusiasts and those looking for a slightly more formal international ambiance with five-star service.