Rte du Port, Bp 107, Ile Rousse, France | (937) 315-4602
Set on a private beach near downtown L'ille Rousse and ferries
Spectacular sea and island views from many terraces and rooms
Elegant rooms have comfy beds, AC, and outdoor spaces
Upgraded units have sea-view or wraparound balconies, plus seating areas
Sleek outdoor pool and hot tub with swanky loungers and bay views
Indoor/pool bars serving summer lunches
Buffet breakfast with eggs, bacon, and cold continental options
24-hour reception, tiny gym, and meeting room
Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout
Pet-friendly for a fee
Room sizes vary, and some units overlook parking lots
No full restaurant, and the bar's lunches are seasonal
Pool and hot tub are seasonal
Beach is small, and guests must watch out for sea urchins
Parking is limited
The 56-room Best Western Santa Maria is an upper-middle-range property, peacefully located on a private beach near L'ille Rousse's town and port. Its peninsular positioning affords sensational views from upgraded rooms, terraces, and a swish outdoor pool and hot tub, although the latter two are only available in the summer, as are light lunches at the bar. There's no full restaurant, but buffet breakfasts are offered. Rooms are contemporary and elegant, outfitted with flat-screen TVs, kettles, and furnished outdoor spaces/ Additional amenities include a tiny gym, meeting room, and limited parking. The more competitively priced L'escale Cote Sud is more centrally located, but it lacks a beach and pool.
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Scene
Contemporary, quiet hotel on the beach
L'Ille Rousse's untamed beauty and quaint town are tourist hotspots, so the private beach and scenic vistas at this Best Western make it a popular pick. Reached by a quiet road a quick walk from downtown and ferry ports, this modern hotel embraces its nautical location, both in terms of views and decor. Views of the Mediterranean's azure hues are fantastic from many rooms and chic terraces, while interiors sport lots of blue furnishings and attractive decor accents. The lobby lounge and bar are casual with low-slung seating, circular coffee tables, and glossy blue chairs, and alongside wall panels, they pop against neutral tones of white and gray. Shaded or open al fresco wooden terraces are breezy, and the beautiful Rousse "red" island can be spotted from here. The beachy glam vibe attracts primarily romancing couples, plus some families.
Location
Beachfront setting between the ferry port and town
The hotel occupies a great spot a five-minute walk from L'ille Rousse's town, while the ferry port is even closer. The private beach's free umbrella-shaded loungers give little incentive to explore public sands, but watch out for sea urchins. The Pietra Island -- for ferries, two lighthouses, and the Genoese tower -- are reached by land to the north, at about a 17-minute walk. To the south lies the town's tall colorful houses, shaded cobbled squares, restaurants, cafes, and shops. L'ille Rousse train station is a two-minute walk away. Calvi town and Calvi- Sainte-Catherine Airport are a half-hour drive.
Rooms
Comfy rooms with serene decor and outdoor spaces
Contemporary rooms are outfitted in serene, subdued styles, featuring wood or tile floors, a mix of wood, leather, and furniture, and largely neutral color palettes. Some rooms add multi-hued striped curtains, sea-themed black-and-white photos, red-leather chair cushions, blue patterned bedding, or gold lamps for pops of color and decoration. Although some are compact, entry-level units are well-outfitted with plush bedding, slippers, robes, smart bathrooms with rainfall showers, and furnished balconies or terraces. These can face parking lots, but others provide garden or sea views. Suites with wood-beamed ceiling, living areas with kidney-shaped couches, and wraparound terraces are available.
Phones, desks, satellite flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, bottled water, safes, AC, and hairdryers come standard. Larger units have seating areas or a sofa bed, and Family Rooms sleep four. Rooms span 215 to 431 square feet (20 to 40 square meters), while the top-floor Prestige Suite measures 861 square feet (80 square meters). There's a fee for cribs.
Features
Beach and a pool, but not real dining option
Features here are most extensive in the summer, when the outdoor pool, hot tub, and bar lunches are operating, but year-round offerings are still reasonable. At a fee, and served on sea-view terraces, breakfasts are all-you-can-eat. They offer eggs, bacon, and sausages, continental fare, tea, coffee, and juice. The lounge bar is a bit generic-looking, but it's bright and smart terraces take in fabulous views and romantic sunsets. Drinks are always available, while the menu extends to salad and sandwich lunches in July and August.
The outdoor pool is fairly small, but it's swish. Cushioned loveseats and two-person sunbeds adorn the surrounding terrace, alongside umbrellas and a view area. The private beach's loungers and umbrellas are free-to-use. The tiny gym only has a treadmill and bike, though most guests choose to get their exercise by walking around town. One meeting room is on-site, and pets are welcome for a fee. Private parking is limited but free. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
