we stayed at Calvi Grande Hotel for four nights in may 2007 and we loved it. The rooms are spatious, the bathroom is clean and huge, breakfast is "french": croissants, coffe or tea, butter and jam. The hotel has an "antik" air, very chic. The location is great, in the very heart of town, beautiful view, not far from the beach. Hope to go there again, it was the vacation of our life.

Grand it may have been but no more. The Grand Hotel IS well situated, only a couple of short blocks from Calvi's beautiful citadel, but the rooms, well, lack any charm. They are clean, basic, functional, if a bit dark (especially the bathrooms). Breakfast is uninspired and includes all you can drink bad coffee. Without much effort this hotel could be exceptional. As it is, it is simpy mediocre -- albeit with a friendly staff.

Well, came to Corsica to get away from the terrible British summer. It rained for the first 3 days! The rain washed the town's rubbish into the sea so couldn't swim either in the bay! That apart .............. the hotel was fine overall. staff were very courteous to us from the receptionists to the cleaners. Got to choose a nicer room on arrival as the one on the street front was a bit noisy. try to get one at the back with a balcony. the worse thing of the hotel is undoubtedly the food. the breakfast was ok but consisted only of coffee, concentrated juice, potted jams and bread. not a piece of fresh fruit in sight ......... in the Mediterranean? I wanted more choice for my money. Don't bother eating in the restaurant in the evening unless you are just too tired to dine out. Very poor stodge. And this is France? Or is it? Great location. Liked Calvi with its marina and citadel. Tips for good restaurants in town: 1) Calellu 2) Magnolia 3) Pulcinella brasserie at lunch time run my a nice Italian family and with great views over the marina. prices can be pretty high at seafront restaurants if that's an issue. Car hire is pretty high too but essnetial if you want to se the spectacular scenery. It has to be the most twisty road ever on the west coast down to Porto. Train from Calvi is useful for the north coast beaches and an experience in itself (dilapodated and from another era). I need to revisit Corsica when the sun shines, which I would do as I feel I was a little short changed. It's a nice island and packs a punch with its scenery.

We wanted to go away for a week. I found a cracking deal stopping at Sandridge Hotel on the West Coast of Barbados and was told it was too far to travel for one week. So we went back in time to Calvi.

It has to be said, Corsica is a stunning place. Miles and miles of unspoilt beaches where families can play, the sand and water are clean. Travel inland and there are mountains with stunning views down to the coastline, again unspoilt by over development.

The Grand Hotel has the feel of a old art nouveau hotel - in fact it is! Unfortunately it has not been modernised, which some will hate. For me it just added to the charm. Despite its age, it was always spotlessly clean, with rooms being cleaned daily. Despite its location on the high street in Calvi it is amazingly quiet, even on the front of the hotel where our room was (and this comes from person famed for their insomnia).

The hotel staff are as charming as the building itself and obviously enjoy their work, even down to the nightwatchman.

You must go for breakfast at least once. Although the food is quite plain, they do serve the freshest food I have eaten in a long while. However, best of all is the view. The restaurant is located on the top floor with a huge balcony. The hotel itself is part way up the side of a hill. The views of the bay are spectacular. I wish I had my SLR, the compact camera just didn't do it justice. Take a trip to the harbour. I have been to many, but again this was special. Rich/ famous folk visit here to get away from it all - it isn't expensive, just take a Rough Guide with you. We ate like royalty for a pittance.

I recently visited Sardinia (the Italian sister island) and whilst it was pretty, Corsica wins hands down - it is just breath-taking in its natural beauty. Oh - one word of warning, it is worth having a car to tour the island properly, but be careful the drivers are really scary (they make Italian drivers appear extermely tame)!