The welcoming Casa Vanella sits above a small grove of trees overlooking the sharp Corsican interior. Host and hotel owner Jean François is the dynamic force behind the unique offering, cooking dinner and preparing breakfast beneath his chosen backdrop – the three major summits of Monte Cinto, the Paglia Orba, and Cima a i Mori. For a pared-back, restful stay that leans into hiking, road cycling or mountain biking, Casa Vanella is an ideal and fairly priced choice.

The picturesque setting is matched in a traditional Corsican house paired with a recent, contemporary granite stone and concrete extension which serves as the dining room and lounge, completed in 2017 by Orma Architettura. With excellent service with the owner and host Jean François cooking dinner and preparing le petit-dejeuner, Casa Vanella resembles a chalet experience. Refined, minimalistic interiors are simple, keeping the focus on the hotel’s frontage – Corsica’s jagged spine.

Activities

Jean François is able to lead for hiking or cycling tours (road and mountain bike).

For hiking / trail running options, look south to the Trivagna where trails cut down to Corte and up to the GR20. From Casa Vanella there’s a firetrail which hairpins up the hill before descending on cattle trails to Refuge de la Sega (swimming holes aplenty).

Road cyclists can get to Casa Vanella from the down valley village of Francardo – the climb is narrow and best tackled early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Getting hold of road bike rentals in Corsica isn’t easy, and you’re not allowed to take bikes on the two-carriage train that connects Corte with Bastia. But note the rental company of Gattu who can help out.

For booking and more information, visit this website

Header photo: David Giancatarina & Julien Kerdraon