Route Canetto, Lieu dit ricetti, Bonifacio, France
Spectacular and peaceful location overlooking the Gulf of Santa Manza
Two private beaches with bar service and lounge chairs
Beautiful landscaped garden surrounding the large infinity pool and whirlpool
Individually decorated rooms with distinctive style and upscale furnishings
Rooms have balconies or patios with great views
Fine-dining restaurant with outdoor seating, plus beachside restaurant/bar
Mini-spa with a range of massages and body treatments
Meeting space with a stage and presentation capabilities
Concierge services include valet dry cleaning and laundry
Supervised children’s activities
Free parking and Wi-Fi
Pets are welcome
Isolated location is a considerable drive to attractions
Beaches are not fine sand
Spa is designed to accommodate one person at a time
No in-room coffeemakers
Wi-Fi can be erratic
The upscale Hotel U Capu Biancu enjoys a spectacular but isolated hillside setting that gently slopes down to its two private beaches on the Gulf of Santa Manza. This stylish boutique hotel takes advantage of the great views, with lots of seating tucked into the terraced hillside. Its 42 rooms and suites have private patios or balconies with lovely views as well. The comfortable rooms are individually decorated in a distinctive, rustic-chic fashion that incorporates natural materials like stone and weathered timbers, but some guests have found the unusual room configurations unappealing. Amenities include an infinity pool, spa, fitness center, and fine-dining restaurant that, like the hotel itself, is quite expensive. A less pricey option closer to Bonifacio is the upscale A Cheda, which also has individually-decorated rooms.
Scene
A quiet and lovely boutique hotel in a majestic setting
Many guests describe the secluded setting of this hillside hotel as majestic or magnificent, and it’s not hyperbole. Its hillside grounds gently slopes past terraced gardens, a pond, and many lovely sitting areas down to the private beaches. The Moroccan-inspired lobby is no less impressive, with its whitewashed columns and arches, exposed wood beams, and bench sofas lined with white leather pads. A large oval mosaic of an Old World compass is the centerpiece of the rustic tile floor, resting below a circular skylight. The entire space is brightened with natural light and exudes a quiet sophistication. The restaurant and bar were designed to showcase the views, with tables tucked under arches next to large windows. The seating spills out onto a beautiful covered patio, with huge weathered timber posts and beams and a rock-and-wood bar next to a piano. Despite the elegant look, the vibe here is relaxed and friendly.
Location
Overlooking the Gulf of Santa Manza on a secluded hillside with lovely landscaping
The hotel has a picturesque setting on a terraced hillside, with access to private beaches on the Gulf of Santa Manza, which are just a short walk down. It’s a quiet, secluded location that features rocky, terraced gardens and numerous spots from which to enjoy the lovely views. No restaurants or attractions are within walking distance, so a car is highly recommended. Some guests arrive by boat or even helicopter, as there is a heliport nearby. It's about a 10-minute drive to the hotel down a winding backroad from the main road between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, and some guests report that it's tricky to find for the first time. It’s about a 25-minute drive to Bonifacio and its bustling harbor, ritzy yachts, numerous restaurants, and ferries to Sardinia and mainland France and Spain. The Sperone Golf Course is around 30 minutes away, and Porto-Vecchio is 35 minutes by car. The Figari-Sud Corse Airport is about a 30-minute drive, while reaching Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport takes about two-and-a-half hours.
Rooms
Individually decorated rooms with natural materials and spacious balconies/patios with great views
Guest rooms here are individually decorated and feature an airy, rustic-chic style that emphasizes natural materials and earth tones. Guests can expect to see whitewashed plaster walls and extensive use of wood beams, natural stone and brick, and vintage furniture. Tile floors are the norm (some are terra-cotta), and bedding is bright white with accent throws. Offbeat art pieces are used frequently as decorations, and many rooms have angled ceilings and arched entries.
Bathrooms are equally distinct and come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. Some have separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs, while others have shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. Some of them contain decidedly non-traditional elements that some guests find odd or unappealing, such as round copper washtubs that serve as shower basins. We also saw an oddly-angled, cramped bathroom that allows little space between its terra-cotta vanity and glass door to enter the shower/tub combo.
Room sizes range from 172 square feet (16 square meters) in Standard Rooms to 194 square feet (18 square meters) in Superior Rooms, while Junior Suites measure 376 square feet (34 square meters) and full Suites are between 410 to 700 square feet (38 to 65 square meters). The largest suites have two bedrooms. Most rooms have sofas (some are sleeper sofas), and many have desks and additional seating. Some rooms are bi-level as well. All rooms also have spacious private patios or balconies furnished with tables and chairs, offering great views of the gulf or hillside. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, robes, slippers, magnifying mirrors, and free Wi-Fi -- but guests report it to be erratic.
Features
Fine-dining restaurant and casual beachside eatery and bar, two private beaches, and an infinity pool
This picturesque boutique hotel caters to vacationing couples and families seeking a secluded location that offers upscale amenities. The hotel’s fine-dining (and expensive) restaurant features Corsican and Italian dishes created from homegrown herbs, fresh fish, and other locally-sourced foods. The hotel also has a seafood-oriented restaurant and bar that offers beachside service. Outdoor seating in the beautiful terraced gardens offers sweeping ocean views. Live music is performed on some evenings, and the bar has a covered deck with a pool table. Room service is available as well.
Located in the midst of the terraces is the spacious, heated infinity pool and hot tub. The hotel also has two private beaches that are a short walk from the pool area, but they are small and rocky. Lounge chairs and gazebos are available there. The hotel’s mini-spa is designed to pamper one guest at a time with a range of services including massages and body treatments. The fitness center has several cardio machines as well as weights and other workout equipment.
Business-oriented facilities include a meeting room with a stage and presentation capabilities, as well as a computer station with internet access in the lobby. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property, but guests report is to be erratic. Concierge services include valet laundry and dry cleaning, as well as supervised children’s activities. A small shop in the lobby sells jewelry. Parking is free, and pets are welcome.