Grand Hôtel de la Cala Rossa

One of the best upscale hotels on the island, this 40-room grande dame is still going strong, thanks to its picture-perfect sandy cove, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a Clarins Spa and a family-friendly atmosphere.

• The Clarins Spa's signature Cala Rossa sculpting massages with Corsican everlasting flower (immortelle) or pinewood essential oils
• The romantic tree house suite perched 3.5 meters over the beach with a front-row view of the shimmering Mediterranean
• The white sand beach and the wide variety of water sports on offer, from sailing to water skiing in a sheltered cove

Owned by the Canerelli family for the past 30 years, the Cala Rossa features 40 rooms (including five suites) that are cheery, airy and comfortable, a medley of yellow and white with sea and garden views. Part of the Relais & Châteaux group, the hotel hasn't been refurbished in a while, but its charm is not trendy. Rather, it appeals with an unstudied informality, the kind that makes you feel like you're truly on vacation. You may not stray very far from the lovely beach with its thatched umbrellas or the landscaped garden and beachside terrace and bar, which offers a tempting gastronomic lunch menu.

Water sports prevail: wind surfing, water skiing and wakeboarding are available, and there are also boat rentals at the hotel's pier with a gourmet picnic served onboard. Take advantage of the daily morning excursion on a fisherman's wooden boat that holds up to 12 passengers for an outing to a limpid creek in Saint Cyprien. Bikes are also available for a spin down the quiet country roads, and the nearby tennis courts, though not part of the property, can be booked for guests.

Couples, families and foodies are all equally happy at this traditional beachside hotel located outside of Porto-Vecchio with the feel of a larger resort.