Immersed in nature

In search of an oasis of tranquillity, we set out for southern Corsica. Located just a couple of kilometres outside the lively town of Porto-Vecchio, our destination — Hotel San Giovanni — is surrounded by the Mediterranean maquis typical of the Corsican interior, which at some points reaches as far as the sea. The enormous appeal of this resort, which guests describe as «more holiday farm than hotel», owes much to its close contact with nature. The three hectares of grounds surrounding the hotel allow guests to immerse themselves in nature and bask in a strong sense of well-being. They can relax in the lush garden planted with maritime pines, exotic and native shrubs, herbs and flowers and splendid water lilies that float in the Zen-like calm of a small pond. But then this is the island that the Greeks called ‘Kalliste’, «the most beautiful». The hotel is perfectly located for ease of access to splendid bays with crystal-clear water and the famous white sandy beaches that extend along the Gulf of Porto Vecchio, such as Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, which are just a 15 minute drive away. Mountain lovers easily reach the Aiguilles de Bavella or the Massif de l’Ospedale within about half an hour, or set off to do a section of the famous GR 20, the high-altitude hiking trail that crosses the whole of Corsica. Alongside the recipe of a «sea and mountain» holiday, Hotel San Giovanni offers its own menu of physical activity, leisure or simple well-being, which guests can enjoy at the beginning or end of every day of their holiday, any time of the year. For this reason it was decided to build a 27°C heated swimming pool with a spa corner featuring a whirlpool bath and sauna within the grounds. The recent renovation project made this «artificial sea» even more pleasant and functional. The large pavement that runs round the 9×16 metre rectangular perimeter of the pool does not detract from the natural harmony of the location. Wood-look porcelain tiles from the Nuances collection by Fap Ceramiche were installed in the large 22.5×90 cm size, the strips placed transversally to the long edge of the pool to widen the perspective. The colour tones and grain effect of the Quercia version give the surface the authentic look and feel of wood while maintaining aesthetic continuity with the surrounding landscape. The exterior version offers outstanding non-slip technical characteristics. A path surrounded by agaves and flowering hedges leads to the hotel, which consists of several buildings with different functions, and to the pergola restaurant for open-air dining. The fully-appointed standard rooms are located in the main building of the complex, while the superior grade rooms are situated at the end of the grounds and offer terraces facing onto the garden. From here guests can breathe in the unmistakeable scent of the maquis, from which it is said Napoleon could recognise his native Corsica even with his eyes shut.