Corsica's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Santa Lucia Holiday Home Awaits!
Corsica's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Santa Lucia Holiday Home Awaits! (…Maybe?) A REALLY Honest Review.
Okay, here we go. Corsica, baby! Sounds romantic, right? Picture perfect beaches, crystal clear water, you, a bottle of rosé, and… well, this place. They call it Corsica's Hidden Gem, and honestly, the name's a little much. Let's be real, hidden gems are, well, hidden. This one's… discoverable. So, let's dive in, shall we? No fake smiles here, just the raw, unfiltered experience.
First Impressions (and a Panic Attack About Accessibility)
Finding the place was a minor adventure. GPS glitches, scenic detours – you know the drill. But then BAM! The building, the view… stunning. Truly. Now, the accessibility. This is where it got a little… complicated. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, and there is an elevator. Great! But maneuvering around the grounds? Hmm. Some ramps, yes, but also some… interesting inclines. Let's just say, if you're relying on full wheelchair accessibility, call before you arrive and ask SPECIFIC questions. Don’t just take my word for it. I'm not in a wheelchair, though, so take my word with a grain of salt, and rely on the actual reviews from people who've needed the access..
The Room: My Little Sanctuary (Mostly)
My room? Pretty dang swanky. Air conditioning - essential in Corsican summer. Free Wi-Fi – a lifesaver (more on that later). The bathroom phone was a bit… old school, and I'm pretty sure I've lost a phone call from a few years ago, but otherwise, it did its job. The bed was comfy, but I'd probably be lying if I said it was a comfy as my bed at home. The view from the window was… breathtaking. I mean, the sea… and the mountains… Wow. The slippers and bathrobes were a nice touch, especially after a long day of… well, whatever you do on holiday. The blackout curtains were a godsend for my sleep schedule, and the soundproofing was pretty good, though you could still hear the occasional joyful screams from the pool area. Oh, the additional toilet definitely was a smart addition.
Internet Rant (Because It's Important!)
The free Wi-Fi in the room? Yes, it exists. Did it work flawlessly? Absolutely not. There were moments when I wanted to hurl my laptop into the… well, the stunning view. I ended up spending a lot of time in the lobby, where the Wi-Fi in public areas was slightly more reliable. They have Internet [LAN] too, if you wanna go full old-school. I’m not gonna lie, it got frustrating. So, if you rely on internet (like, you know, most of us do), temper your expectations. And pray for a good signal.
Food, Glorious Food (Mostly)
The food. Okay. The restaurants offer a variety of choices, and the Asian cuisine in the restaurant was a surprise hit. The breakfast [buffet] was epic. Seriously, croissants, fresh fruit, omelets cooked to order. Chef's kiss. I’m a sucker for a Western breakfast, always have been. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was good too. On the other hand the salad in the restaurant was a little sad. Like, "I miss my home, so I'm eating myself" sad. There's also a poolside bar, perfect for a pre-dinner drink. Happy hour was definitely a highlight. The snack bar was convenient. So, yeah. Food was good, and well catered!
Things to Do (and Ways to Recover From Doing Them)
Okay the swimming pool out door was glorious. Absolutely magnificent. They have a pool with a view, a spectacular view. The spa/sauna. I didn't use either, but I got the feeling they were quality, and I'm sure someone who does that sort of thing would have a blast! They also have a fitness center; it seemed a bit underused, but clean. If you want a massage and are not a fan of having a bit of sweat on your skin, there are options! They also have a massive Terrace for a good sit and sun yourself.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Try!
Post-pandemic, right? They're trying! Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. Staff, and the equipment, are all trained in safety protocol. They also offer room sanitization opt-out available, a good sign that they were aware of customers’ needs. They provide individually-wrapped food options, and they are committed to physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I appreciated the gesture, I really did. They also had smoke alarms and fire extinguisher though I didn’t need to use them.
The Quirky Bits (Because Every Place Has Them)
- The elevator music. Seriously stuck in my head. It's a mix of 80s elevator jazz and a little yodeling.
- The hair dryer. It was, shall we say, “vintage.” Reminded me of my grandmother's.
- The luggage storage was a godsend, when I was having issues.
Services and Conveniences (The Helpful Stuff)
- The concierge was super helpful with recommendations and directions.
- The daily housekeeping kept things spick and span.
- The car park [free of charge] was a bonus, parking fees can be a killer.
- They have a convenience store in the lobby? Handy for snacks, though slightly overpriced.
- They also run with contactless check-in/out.
Overall: Worth It?
Look, despite a few minor hiccups, I'd recommend this place. It's not perfect, but it's charming, the views are insane, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Just pack your patience (especially for the Wi-Fi), and maybe some bug spray (Corsica is a bit… buggy in summer). It's a solid base for exploring the beauty of Corsica, and that makes all the minor imperfections worth it. So, Corsica’s Hidden Gem? Maybe not. Corsica’s Pretty Darn Good Place? Absolutely. And I'd definitely consider going back.
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This review aims to be helpful and informative, capturing the essence of what it's like to stay at this Corsican holiday home, while being engaging and real.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Banjole Apartment, Steps from the Sea!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your polished, perfectly-edited travel brochure. This is me, spilling my guts (and probably my rosé) about a week in Corsica. Santa Lucia di Moriani, specifically. And trust me, it's gonna get messy.
Corsica: Santa Lucia – A Week That Unfolded Like a Snail in a Hurricane (My Itinerary, Basically)
Day 1: Arrival & "Oh My God, Did I Seriously Pack That?!"
- Morning (like, REALLY morning): Flight from London to Bastia. The flight was delayed. Classic. Sat beside this guy who CLEARLY thought his snoring was a national anthem, but it gave me enough time to mentally prepare for the beauty of the place.
- Midday (and a major dose of confusion): Landed in Bastia. Hello, Corsica! Holy moly the Airport was small but perfect. Found our tiny hire car. "Tiny" might be an understatement. It's a clown car, pretty much. First mission: navigate Corsica's windy roads. Let's just say my relationship with Google Maps got intimate.
- Afternoon: Arrival at the holiday home. Oh. My. God. This place is gorgeous! The view, overlooking the sea, took my breath away. (And probably made me forget about the near-miss with that herd of goats a few minutes earlier.) Inside the house was great, but after unpacking (and realizing I'd packed SEVEN unnecessary pairs of shoes – who AM I?) I needed wine. Immediately.
- Evening: Grocery shopping. Failed misserably. The local supermarket was a labyrinth of unfamiliar cheese and sausages. Ended up with a baguette, a bottle of something vaguely resembling rosé (turns out, it WAS rosé! SCORE!), and enough charcuterie to feed a small army. Dinner: Baguette, rosé, charcuterie, and staring at the stars. Bliss. But let's be real, I forgot the salt and pepper. Oops.
Day 2: Beach Day (or, The Day I Became Best Friends with Sand)
- Morning: Woke up to the sound of the waves and promptly decided I needed to get some sun. Santa Lucia’s beach didn’t disappoint. The water was crystal clear.
- Afternoon: Sunscreen application. That’s where I went wrong. I applied sunscreen with a heavy hand and had a good time, but the beach was HOT. I spent most of the afternoon wrestling with a rogue beach umbrella that kept trying to escape and bury me alive. This is when the sand got to me. I was covered in sand from head to toe. I think I even ate some.
- Evening: Ate dinner on a terrace overlooking the sea. The seafood pasta was incredible, and even forgetting the salt and pepper AGAIN couldn't ruin the experience.
Day 3: Adventure (or, the Day I Realized How Out of Shape I Am)
- Morning: Decided to be "active." Hiked part of the Mare a Mare Nord trail. The scenery was INCREDIBLE. The air was perfumed of pine and thyme. But… the hills are real. My legs are screaming. My lungs feel like they're made of lead. I stopped to catch my breath. Several times. The view at the top? Worth it. The descent? A struggle.
- Afternoon: Drove to the Cascades de la Purcaraccia (waterfalls). Honestly, this was incredible. The water was so deep, it was the perfect place to dive in.
- Evening: Dinner in a tiny restaurant in a nearby village. The locals were friendly, the wine flowed freely (much to my delight), and I learned the Corsican equivalent of "cheers" – which, unsurprisingly, involves a lot of throat-clearing and laughter.
Day 4: Boat Trip & "I Think I'm Going to Be Seasick, But the Dolphins Are Worth It"
- Morning: Boat trip! This was one of the things I was most looking forward to, and it didn't disappoint. Cruised along the coast, admiring the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves.
- Midday: Snorkeling. The water was so clear! We saw fish and coral.
- Afternoon: I got a little seasick in the afternoon. But we saw dolphins. I would have suffered for a week to see those magnificent creatures.
- Evening: A very quiet dinner back at the house, where I mostly stared at the horizon and tried not to think about boats.
Day 5: The Day I Fell in Love with Corsican Food (and May Have Eaten Too Much)
- Morning: Visited a local market. The colors! The smells! The sheer abundance of deliciousness! Bought way too much cheese (again – I have a problem). Stocked up on local honey, figs, and some weird, but delicious, Corsican sausage.
- Afternoon: Cooking class! Learned how to make some traditional Corsican dishes. Let’s just say, I am NOT a professional chef. But the food was amazing.
- Evening: Ate ALL the food. Seriously. My stomach is still recovering.
Day 6: Relaxation & Reflection (or, the Day I Officially Became a Beach Bum)
- Morning: Slept in. Needed it.
- Afternoon: Back to the beach. This time, armed with a good book (and a much better sunscreen application technique). Spent hours doing absolutely nothing but listening to the waves and soaking up the sun. Pure bliss.
- Evening: Enjoyed a long evening walk along the beach as the sun set, reflecting on what a wonderful holiday it had been.
Day 7: Departure & "I'll Be Back, Corsica, I Promise!"
- Morning: Packed. (Or, attempted to pack. Seven pairs of shoes, remember?) Said a long, regretful goodbye to the view from the balcony.
- Afternoon: Drove back to Bastia, stopping one last time to admire the views.
- Evening: Flight back to London. Looking forward to the next time.
Quirky Observations & Ramblings (Because Why Not?)
- Corsicans are incredibly friendly, even if my French is atrocious. They just smile and nod and try to understand you.
- The roads are terrifying, but the views are worth the white knuckles.
- I definitely should have learned some more French before I came. "Bonjour" and "Merci" only get you so far.
- The food… oh, the food. I gained five pounds. Worth it.
Emotional Reactions (Good & Bad… Mostly Good)
- Good: Pure joy, immense relaxation, incredible food.
- Bad: The hike kicked my butt. The seasickness was NOT fun. Almost getting lost (multiple times).
- Overall: Corsica is magical. It crept into my soul. I left a piece of my heart there.
Opinionated Language (Because, Again, Why Not?)
- Don't go to Corsica expecting a perfectly polished, predictable holiday. Embrace the chaos, the winding roads, the slightly-too-strong rosé.
- Go with an open mind and a hungry stomach.
- You'll fall in love. I guarantee it.
- Oh, buy the cheese. All of it.
The Final Verdict: This was messy, chaotic, and sometimes a bit of a disaster (hello, rogue beach umbrella!). But it was also the best holiday of my life. Corsica is raw, beautiful, and full of surprises. I'm already dreaming of going back. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go book another trip… and maybe learn some French this time.
Escape to Paradise: Villa Olga's Private Crete Pool Awaits!
Corsica's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Santa Lucia Holiday Home Awaits! ...or Does It? (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, spill the beans! What's *actually* special about these Santa Lucia holiday homes? I swear, I’ve seen so many ads...
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercup. Look, the ads probably paint a perfect picture, right? Turquoise water, sun-kissed skin, the fragrance of the maquis... blah, blah, blah. And sure, *some* of that is true. Santa Lucia? Gorgeous. The houses *generally* ain't too shabby. But let's get real. It's not all Instagram filters and perfect sunsets.
The real magic? Honestly, it's the *feeling* of being *there*. You’re practically on the beach (some of them, anyway – check the darn map!), the smell of the bakery in the morning (if you wake up early enough – I’m a chronic snoozer, myself), and the general, laid-back Corsican vibe. That's where the gold is. It’s less about the "luxury" and more about escaping the relentless *ugh* of everyday life. I mean, I went last year, and lemme tell you, on the first night, after a gruelling journey and a rental car with a clutch that felt like I was stepping in treacle, just watching the sunset from the balcony? Pure, unadulterated bliss. Almost made me forget the five hours in the airport... almost.
What's this "Santa Lucia"? Is it really as stunning as the photos suggest? Because… Photoshop.
Okay, let's address the elephant *and* the donkey in the room: Photoshop. Yes, some of the photos are probably, ahem, *enhanced*. But listen, Santa Lucia *is* stunning. Think: a curve of sand, the clearest water you've ever seen, and those iconic Corsican mountains in the distance. Picture a postcard, basically.
Now, the *reality*? Well, there can be seaweed some days. Wind can whip up. And, yes, that perfect beach photo might have been taken at like, 6 AM when *no one* was there. I once walked a ridiculously long way to find that “perfect” beach only to realise there wasn't much sand. Just rocks. And a grumpy seagull. Still, you'll find a spot that grabs you. I guarantee it.
Tell me about the houses themselves. Are we talking cramped, dated, and full of spiders… or, you know, actually nice?
Alright, *this* is where it gets a little… variable. You'll find everything from charming, rustic houses to modern villas. Expect a range! I've stayed in ones that were pure bliss – think exposed beams, a killer kitchen, and a terrace that practically *begged* for an evening aperitif. And, yes, I've also stayed in ones that felt like they hadn't been updated since the 70s. (Shudder.)
**My tip? Read the reviews. Seriously, scrutinize them!** Look for comments about things like the water pressure (essential!), the cleanliness, and whether the kitchen has more than a rusty frying pan. I once found *ants* in a cupboard. It was a dark day. But then again, one place had a lemon tree right outside the front door, ripe for the picking. So, it’s a gamble. But a gamble worth taking if you get the right house. Think of it as part of the adventure, right? Right?
What's Corsican food like? Because I'm Italian and I *know* my food.
Oh, Corsican food… *sigh*. Alright, listen up, because this is crucial. Corsican food is *amazing*. It's not purely Italian, it's a blend. Think hearty, rustic, and full of flavor. Expect cheeses, cured meats (coppa and figatelli - oh, the figatelli!), and lots of wild boar. They use a lot of chestnuts too, which gives this interesting, unexpected flavour.
Now, the good bits. You HAVE to try the Brocciu cheese (a creamy, fresh cheese). And the Canistrelli biscuits, perfect for dunking in coffee. The local wine… *chefs kiss*. Ohhh, and the charcuterie! Like, seriously, prepare your stomach. The restaurants? Some are amazing, some are tourist traps. Again, research is your friend. And learn a *little* French. It'll get you further than your Italian fluency, trust me.
Are there things to do besides lying on the beach (tempting as that is)?
Oh, absolutely! While beach lounging is a perfectly acceptable (and highly recommended) pastime, Corsica offers a lot. The mountains are incredible. Hiking trails galore. I'm a terrible hiker, but I managed a small one last time and the views... wow. Gorgeous.
You can get lost in the little towns like Bonifacio (clinging to cliffs – breathtaking!), explore the ancient ruins, go canyoning (if you're brave!), or take boat trips. (I'm *still* trying to get over sea-sickness on one of those. Worst. Day. Ever.) There's something for everyone. Just be prepared for some driving. The roads can be, shall we say, "interesting". And don't forget to factor in plenty of time for gelato breaks.
I'm worried about the language barrier. My French is… rusty.
Okay, the language thing. It's a concern. While a lot of people in tourist areas *will* speak some English, don't rely on it. Learning a few basic French phrases is a MUST. "Bonjour," "Merci," "S'il vous plaît," and "Parlez-vous anglais?" will go a long way. (Oh, learn how to order a coffee. *Crucial*).
The Corsicans are generally friendly, but they appreciate the effort. Even if you butcher the pronunciation (which I do, constantly), they'll likely be happy you tried. Plus, Google Translate is your best friend. Embrace the awkwardness. It’s part of the fun! I once spent a hilarious ten minutes trying to explain, in a mixture of broken French and frantic hand gestures, that I wanted a pain au chocolat. Worth. It.
What's the best time of year to go?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Okay, so peak season (July/August) is beautiful… but crowded and expensive! The weather is hot, the beaches are packed, and prices are inflated.
My personal favorite? Shoulder season – May/June or September/October. The weather is still lovely (mostly!), the crowds are thinner, and you can get better deals. I went in late September onceHotel Near Airport
