Santa Giulia Palace

Residence Santa Giulia Palace is a large property, spread over nearly 25 acres of land. Guests come for rooms more than for a laundry list of on-site facilities -- apartment-style rentals allow for an affordable, home-like vacation in a beautiful setting. However, they do not include the typical range of services at a hotel, most notably cleaning service. Much of the property is undeveloped and the hotel maintains walking trails through the natural terrain. Outdoor spaces are lush and beautiful, and the hillside location means plenty of stunning panoramic views of the surrounding village and the sea. There aren’t many common spaces as residences are in separate buildings around the property, but there’s a beautiful terrace outside the restaurant and the pools are gorgeous. 

Interiors have minimalist, fresh decor. In the lobby, white walls and terra cotta are a base for a few interesting pieces of artwork. There are a small sitting area with a lending library, and shelves with products for sale. Bright pink and orange sofas draw attention to the breakfast area in the next room. The clientele is largely French, but leisure travelers of all nationalities are drawn here for the well-equipped residences in beautiful, peaceful surroundings. 

Residence Santa Giulia Palace is in Porto-Vecchio, a popular beach town on the southeastern coast of France’s Corsica Island. The hotel sits on a hill over the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Santa Giulia, surrounded by open space and other hotels. It’s a five-to 10-minute walk from the beach (depending on which building guests are in), where there are a few restaurants to choose from. From the hotel, it is a 20-minute drive to the city center of Porto Vecchio -- an area with many shops and eateries to explore -- and a 15-minute drive to the city’s marina. The city of Bonifacio, with its 13th-century clifftop castle, is a 35-minute drive from the hotel. A 40-minute drive away, golfers can enjoy Golf of Sperone, a gorgeous course with ocean views. Figari Sud-Corse Airport is a 35-minute drive away, and it is two-and-a-half hours to the larger Ajaccio Napolean Bonaparte Airport. It’s a 20-minute drive to the Porto Vecchio port where ships dock from cities across the Mediterranean Sea. 

Premium Rooms at this hotel are air-conditioned studios and apartments with appealing, minimalist designs and a good range of amenities. Walls, tile floors, cabinets, and sofas are predominantly white, while trim and furnishings are a light wood. Colorful, stylish accents on bedding and throw pillows brighten spaces, matched in vibrant paintings on the walls. Comfort-level rooms have less appealing, old-fashioned decor, but they're still clean and comfortable. 

All rooms have flat-screen TVs and safes, but more importantly, full kitchens with refrigerators, ovens, electric stovetops, dishwashers, microwaves, coffeemakers, and laundry machines. A good range of cutlery, dishware, and cookware are provided. Balconies and terraces are relaxing and many capitalize on the stunning sea views of the property. They have tables, loungers, and some include barbecue grills. Updated bathrooms are modern, with pretty mosaic tiles, rainfall showers, and separate tubs. Hairdryer and free toiletries come standard, and some include extras like heated towel racks.

Cleaning services are not included in every rate -- packages are available at check-in depending on guests’ needs. Some cleaning supplies -- like vacuums and sponges -- are provided, but not everything needed to keep the place in good shape. A few consumables are included for free (one roll of toilet paper, for example) but for longer stays, guests will need to bring or purchase their own. 

This hotel is more of an apartment rental than a typical hotel and as such, offers little in the way of on-site activities. Highlights are the three beautiful pools spread out around the property. Each is on a pretty tiled patio, surrounded by grass and gardens. Glass barriers keep the view open, though some loungers are on the lawns, outside the gate. The main pool includes a large whirlpool tub with a waterfall feature, and the lap pool offers a gorgeous view of the bay. 

There is no on-site restaurant, but a continental breakfast buffet is available on request for purchase. The buffet is offered in a simple room off the lobby, or guests can sit on a shaded terrace in a gorgeous garden setting. Trails wind through the natural terrain on the property, with plenty of space to get away from developed areas. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel property, though the connection is not always reliable.