We have just come back from the U Paesolu, Corsica and although Corsica is a lovely Island we were not informed by the holiday company that there is hardly anything open at the end of September, the nearest shops open is 45 min walk from the Hotel, you need a car to get about but if you hire it on the Island you pay 3 times as much as hiring it at home, plus they charge you 50 Euros to bring it to your accommodation and if you don't pay that you don't get it, we were also ill informed that there is no public transport in September nothing at all so if you don't hire a car you have to walk, the beach is 20 mins walk from the Hotel not 10 mins and the walk back up from the restaurants is slightly up hill, definately not for the infirm. The hotel did not clean the room at all and if you wanted new towels you had to cart up to the laundry to change yours, and when they are soaking wet its not a nice job. Very dissapointed with the Hotel there was a wedding on the Saturday and we were thrown out of the bar, the next nearest one is in the bay so not on the door step, I wouldn't recommend this at all.

We have just returned from a week in Corsica staying at the U Paesolu Residence. After mixed reviews on this website, we weren't sure what to expect.

On arrival we were greeted by really friendly reception staff, who showed us to our studio apartment. It was clean and nicely decorated, the bathroom looked nearly new and the kitchen was fine if a little under equipped. However the main problem was an incredible stink coming from the kitchen drain.

After one night of this we complained in the morning, returned that evening to find the smell was worse and nothing had been done. Another trip to reception (the evening staff speak little english) and we were handed the keys to a mini villa to move to.

After hearing bad things about the mini villas here we were slightly apprehensive, but our villa turned out to be newer than the others, with 2 bedrooms, a bigger kitchen and best of all a sea view from a large terrace with a BBQ. It was clean and tidy, if not nicely decorated (especially loved the turquoise plastic sofa). We were really pleased with this upgrade, whereas if we had paid the going rate for this villa I would have been disappointed.

The pool area was good, the pool much bigger than it looked in the photos with great views across Pinarellu bay. You definately need a car if you are staying here, the tiny 'resort' with a handful of restaurants and Pinarellu beach is a good 10-15 minute walk away, and apart from one little expensive food shop (which closed for the end of the season) there was no supermarket. We shopped at Geant in Porto Vecchio which was much cheaper and great for self-catering, we found restaurants expensive, and as a vegetarian pretty limited. The pizzeria in Pinarellu was particularly good and friendly, with amazing desserts, pizzas 8-12 euros, desserts 7 euros.

One other thing to mention about a trip to Corsica is definately don't hire a car from the Hertz desk at Figari airport. Despite making a reservation in full and paying before hand, we stood in a queue with about 20 other people for almost 2 hours on arrival as they had run out of cars after giving them to people with no reservations and we had to wait for more to be returned and cleaned. The staff spoke very little English and it was chaos- not recommended.

All in all we had a fantastic holiday in Corsica, don't miss Rondinara beach near Bonifacio or Palombaggia beach, we loved the island and U Paesolu is a nice place to stay, if a little over priced for the stndard of accomodation.

Just got back from a week in Pinareddu/ Pinarello only then did I read the reviews, It seems like I agree with the Nottinham review!
we were supposed to have adjoining rooms in an appartment how can this happen in a mini villa? It didn't state in our brochure they were little villas dotted around dusty woodland. With no Air-con just one mucky fan per villa it was stupid! the windows had to be shut because of the bugs, mozzies and other flying insects as there was no mesh on the shutters, it was like being in an oven. Talking of oven when I popped open the microwave door open it had mouldy bread inside and a pack of biscuits with a bug on!!! The villas were scruffy they obviously don't clean them just change towels and sheets once a week. The towels all looked like what other people had left behind (all odd colours and sizes). the pool is not large and is very crowded.

CORSICA (south).. very expensive, 80 euros we were averaging for a meal for two adults a 13 year old and a 16 year old.
CAR HIRE.. They don't bring the car to your hotel, so it's either at the airport or get a taxi to Porto Vecchio which is around 30 euros.
YOU DEFFINATELY NEED A CAR TO SEE ANYTHING HERE!
THERE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL BEACHES Palomabaggia is lovely, some good snorkeling around too.also head inland to the national park near the activity centre for fantastic rock pool swimming, this is where the locals go.

The suprise of added Tax per person they charge you at the end is a bit cheeky, cant believe the rep never mentioned it.

verdict...expensive , pick accommodation well, lovely sights to see if you have a car.

The Mac Family

Traffic horrendous in July,road out of U Paesolu meets the main road at a T- junction and long tailbacks mean you are almost trapped.
Very basic studios,no toilet paper or soap provided,very poor lighting if you like reading in bed.
Helpful reception staff.
Over priced restaurant