Solemare

Shocking booking experience - they take the booking quickly enough but I have been trying to contact them for almost a month as there is a query on my booking. I have emailed them multiple times, filled forms in on their website, phoned the hotel direct twice, tried instagram and facebook and they never reply. Not once in an entire month!!! I refuse to give EUR 450 to a business that ignores me. What if I needed their assistance prior to arrival, or had a query on my way to the property, or even had to contact them after I had paid them. Booking cancelled. I will stay somewhere else.

Hotel Solemare was so fun, comfy and stylish that I can’t imagine how it could be improved. Our junior suite had two lovely rooms on the fourth floor whose windows opened directly onto the beautiful port with its super yachts, sailboats, restaurants and shops — and of course the Citadel looming on the clifftop. (I had booked a quadruple room to get the port view initially, but a few weeks before i began my travels, the hotel sent me an email asking if I’d like to upgrade to a junior suite for almost the same price, so i did.) our room had a minifridge. The bed was great! Breakfast, both continental and buffet, is served on a lovely terrace overlooking the port. At night, you can sit out there for drinks and enjoy the lights. Blankets were even draped over each chair to keep guests cozy as this was end of April/start of May. This hotel is supposedly one of only two in town that has a swimming pool, and it’s heated. Free parking is available, a rarity here; it also has an electric car charging station. Absolutely everything is within walking distance (even a laundromat), except the major beaches. The upper town is quite an uphill hike, but a little train will take you up there for a small fee. The staff was so helpful and friendly, especially Betty, whose restaurant recommendations were extraordinary.

I had originally planned a shorter stay but after my first night I decided to extend. The hotel staff was accommodating in finding an option to make that possible and in general was wonderful at helping with any request I had. They also were so friendly and helped me practice my French graciously! The room I had was a suite - and surprised me with how cool the decor was (like a modern Moroccan almost), large sitting area, stunning bathroom. The bed was comfortable with good pillows and duvet. A kettle/coffee service in the room, a desk though expected for most North Americans is not always available in European hotels - but it was in this one. I used the heated pool in October which I also very much appreciated, including it’s loungers and its view to the harbour. Parking was easy once I knew where it was. Finally, the location was easy to get to many parts of the town - ie restaurants, grocery stores, the harbour, touristic options like the train to old town and boat tours, as well as easy to get in and out of town. Do note though that it is located specifically on the harbour and not above on the cliff/old town so you would need to climb up. As I was exploring the whole area - beaches, trails, other towns in addition to old Bonifacio this was not at all a problem. Overall a great experience!

The Solemare Hotel is a loveable quirky and loveable hotel in a perfect position in the lovely town of Bonifacio. We stayed 3 nights in a Junior suite and loved the space and selection of amenities like extra tables , the bar fridge and views from the 3 windows. I loved the breakfast in the open to the marina view restaurant. The staff were very charming and helpful.

Great hotel in central location of Bonifacio marina, close to the busy working marina and historical old town. The hotel has great facilities, nice pool area. Hotel staff are all very friendly, definitely will come back again.

Sad to see such a nice property with such aggressive and unresponsive senior management. We had a shower that was clogged for two days which was never fixed. At the end of my stay I simply asked for a 10% discount because of the inconvenience that caused us to take 50 min showers so that the bathroom would not overflow. I even took pictures to prove that it was clogged and I was accused by the manager of doctoring the pictures and the videos. Who would spend the time to edit a video for $50 after paying $500 for a room? We were offered a free breakfast which we declined because we already ate. Three different staff members were informed about the problem one our second day and nothing was done. Classic example of management that is to prideful to admit that something like a clogged pipe could go wrong with their hotel. I have to say the bartender (I believe named Niko) was great. I recommend staying at one of the many other nice hotel. This facility looks nice but when the management is rude it truly ruins the experience.

A windy hour-long ferry ride from Santa Teresa landed us in the picturesque French port of Bonifacio on the island of Corsica. The boats approach felt like a scene from Troy with the citadel sitting high on sheer cliffs with walls that looked impregnable. The old fishing port was now a modern marina with super yatchs moored next to each other almost like a car park or in this case a boat park. Restaurants, at least one boasting a Michelin status, competed for space around the bay each trying to outdo the other with even more imaginative fish or seafood dishes. Some of the fish looked so large or weird Jacques Cousteau may have struggled to find them. Hotel Solemare The hotel sits on the less populated side of the bay that consequently gives it better views, especially at night. Sympathetically designed our room, located on the fourth floor, was large enough to be comfortable for even the most challenging of guests but small enough not to have become a pastiche of its former self. The bathroom was unusually large for a room of its size with a walk-in shower; the toilet was separate. The room, equipped with a bistro balcony - a balcony big enough for bistro chairs and table - had those all important views of the marina. A double bed, fridge and wide-screen TV were all plusses. Tea making facilities would have completed the list. The service throughout was excellent with all of the members of staff ready to assist with the simplest or more complex task. Even though our ferry back to Sardinia had been cancelled and the hotel fully booked, we were offered a room so that we were not left destitute and homeless. If this isn't five star treatment I don't know what is. Day 2 - Corsica Citadel From Hotel Solemare it is a short but challenging walk to the medieval citadel. Challenging because of the steep climb to its entrance. Those who have any impairment preventing them from walking or honest enough to admit that they are carrying more than a few excess pounds should consider the mini train - yes the train is very Disney but it beats a defibrillator followed by cardiac massage. Once you get to the top it is hard to be disappointed. The citadel is beautiful even though it is crumbling in places. There are enough shops and restaurants to entertain most visitors. Churches and a cemetery make up other attractions. I did say cemetery it is a sight to behold and very photogenic.

Friendly receptionists and a. warm welcome. Lovely hotel rooms and great pool, sun terrace and fantastic views over harbour. However, all the above comes at a price (above the £250/night) - don’t stay here if you want to get a relaxing night’s sleep (which is , after all, one reason to stay in a hotel ). There is a quayside bar(B52) that is open until 2am and literally blasts music across the beautiful harbour. I’m no prude, and enjoy clubbing, but this just dominates everything which spoils the whole experience and I fail to understand why one business can be allowed to dominate the whole area.