There was no beach, just the pool... with a dirty glass on the side
The hotel was looking old and really need renovations but the service was okay and people at the desk helpful and nice...

Not what it appears to be! It is certainly a nice hotel, with large comfortable rooms, but the service stinks!! We went there with friends who had award vouchers from freq flier miles - thank goodness, because it is grossly overpriced for the poor quality of service.

The food was of good quality, but the service was horrible. Very erratic. Slow waiters, didn't understand (and we are French, mind you!). It took nearly an hour to be served the first course, and just as long for a second course ordered by one person in our party - which we ultimately sent back. We weren't much in a hurry, but when the wait became interminable, we complained - and they really didn't seem to care.

Later someone in our party was injured by a pool tile that broke. Certainly, we can't fault them for the accident as the tiles seemed not to be defectuous - but they were completely lifeless when dealing with the problem. They had little or no first aid supplies, took ages to get in touch with a dr. or the emergency squad - and silly enough for them, didn't really have any kind of procedure in terms of declaring an injury.

Furthermore, by the 'base nautique' it is mentioned that there is waterskiing, parasailing, diving etc. etc - when you go to ask, they told us that there is, in fact, no such thing at the hotel, but the concierge could direct us somewhere!??! (Couldn't they indicate that in the hotel description, and on the sign by the 'base nautique').

The beach has room for only about 12 people, and is nothing special.

Going back to the food service, even for breakfast, we ordered eggs. We had time to eat other things from the buffet, drink our coffee, relax a while - and when we finally gave up any hope of seeing our eggs and walked away, we noticed a waiter delivering our eggs to the wrong table (the client said he didn't order them, but he'd love to have them.... so he did!).!??!?

While certainly the view is magnificent, this has nothing to do with the hotel, and you might as well stay about anywhere down the road -save your self some money - go to nicer beaches and drive to the water sports, and definitely find better service. (in the evening, we went to a pizzaria a short distance form the hotel - it was just fine - no stars, but the waitress was efficient and the food was quick and good!).

We spent two nights at the Sofitel Porticcio for our anniversary and enjoyed it for the most part.

Service and customer management are excellent (we weren't quite happy with the first room and got a nicer, larger one on the spot, all with a smile), the rooms are comfy (fantastic beds!) and overlooking the Ajaccio Bay, food and room service are excellent (notably the buffet breakfast), the sea-water pool is magnificent, etc. We didn't try the "thalasso" services, so I wouldn't comment on these.

On the downside, the location is a bit remote - but well, this is Corsica, and you will need a car. The place is extremely quiet, and you will most likely sleep like a child there.

We stayed four nights at the Sofitel Hotel in Porticcio Corsica. We thought it was excellent. After spending 2 weeks in a simple house in the north of Corsica, it was great luxury to come to the Sofitel. The hotel has a very nice and quiet location on an rocky area stretched out into the ocean. You have lovely views of the ocean all around. The rooms are renovated and nice. The beds are incredible (never had such a big bed!).
The hotel has a private (small) beach and a (salt water) swimming pool. There is table tennis and a tennis court which the children enjoyed. My husband and I enjoyed the Thalassa spa and had massages and special water treatments (all with salt water).
If you go to this hotel make sure you take a trip with the hotel boat (you need to pay for this) to one of the secluded beaches or the sunset trip. This was one of the best things we did while in Corsica.

We did not like the town of Porticcio so we spent most time around the hotel and on the boat. Also the hotel is near the Ajaccio Airport and during the day you hear planes now and then. (But not at night). The restaurant serves good food. We thought the dinner was a bit less good, but the lunch buffet was good and also something the children loved.

The hotel has mostly French people but there were some English as well. The hotel staff was very friendly and did try to speak english.