Located right in the center of town, just a few meters from the Ajaccio Citadel,Hôtel San Carlu Citadelle is the ideal place to stay in Ajaccio.
We really enjoyed our stay at this establishment. Its main asset is its exceptional location, right in the center of town, close to the city’s main tourist attractions.
In this article, we present our experience at the Hotel San Carlu Citadelle and the services it offers. You’ll also find plenty of photos to help you make up your own mind.
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why stay at Hotel San Carlu Citadelle
We consider the Hotel San Carlu Citadelle to be one of the finest luxury hotels in Ajaccio. Here are its 3 main assets:
- The rooftop, with its bar and restaurant, offers exceptional panoramic views even indoors. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a sunny evening or watch the sunset.
- The hotel’s surprising decor, at once wise and geometric, but sprinkled with quirky objects, from this golden palm tree to this silver cactus, sets the tone right from the lobby!
- The hotel is super-central, making it easy for guests to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the city to the full.
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Is the Hotel San Carlu Citadelle worth it? Our review
We really enjoyed the Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio.
The location is excellent, right next to the Citadelle, making it the ideal place to visit the city. The views from our room and from breakfast were magnificent and gave us a good start to the day.
We consider this hotel to be one of the best in Ajaccio.
Decoration and atmosphere
The Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio offers a chic, elegant and urban atmosphere.
Neutral tones and contemporary materials give the hotel an elegant, uncluttered look. But here we also love a design piece that stands out, a touch of gold or silver that surprises the eye!
The room
Like the hotel, our room was sober and chic, with a few quirky design elements.
We particularly liked the gold accents (hangers, shelves, console, reading lights) that brighten up the room, as well as the resolutely colorful bedside table with its fluorescent colors and retro telephone (which really lets you call reception!).
But the show is also on the outside, with some rooms offering a breathtaking view of Ajaccio’s citadel, the marina and the sea. Rooms at the rear of the building overlook the city’s narrow streets, while those on the lower floors look out over the citadel ramparts.
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The bathroom
In our room, the bathroom is very pleasant and well equipped. It features a walk-in shower, an attractive high vanity unit, and hygiene products from Keiji (oriental-inspired made-in-France products scented with essential oils) and Gemology (a French brand based on trace element formulas derived from minerals).
We also found a bathrobe and slippers. The bathroom is in two-tone gray and silver, matching the gold of the bedroom.
The breakfast
At the Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio, you can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast featuring local products such as Corsican sheep’s yogurt, jams and canistrellis, as well as homemade products. We particularly liked the Sicilian cannolis.
We particularly appreciated the choice of products on offer, whether sweet (viennoiseries, brioche, muffins, pancakes, fruit salad) or savoury (cheese, charcuterie, scrambled eggs, bacon).
And what a pleasure it is to start the day with a splendid view over the Bay of Ajaccio, a view you’ll never tire of.
Equipment and common areas
The Hotel San Carlu Citadelle features a luxurious penthouse on the top floor of the hotel, with a breathtaking view of the city and maximum comfort. We were reasonable this time, but who knows…
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
The restoration
The hotel boasts an exceptional panoramic bar with comfortable leather sofas and a beautiful view of the sea, citadel and surrounding rooftops. You’ll just have to decide between the softness of the interior and the sunny terrace. Enjoy no fewer than 10 signature cocktails, including Carl’s famous basil-flavored gin cocktail.
The adjoining dining room is magnificent, with its checkerboard pattern on the floor and in the mirrors adorning the walls. The chef’s menu is lighter and fresher at lunchtime, and more ambitious in the evening, with a focus on fish and Italian influences. We’d have gone for the potato, vongole, tarragon, ginger and chilli gnoghetti.
History
The Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio was built in 1970 on the ruins of Napoleon’s nurse’s house.
It takes its name from Charles Borromeo, a 16th-century Italian prelate who became San Carlu when he was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V. Some articles refer to a 15th-century bishop of Corsica-Sardinia, but we have found no trace of this, and it seems unlikely.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EN South Corsica
- Introduction to canyoning at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
- Complete canyoning experience at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
- Via Ferrata near Porto-Vecchio – see photos + availability
- Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see photos + availability
Practical info about Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio
Type
4 star hotel
See current offers at Hotel San Carlu Citadelle
Where the hotel is located
- Porto-Vecchio to Hôtel San Carlu Citadelle to Ajaccio: 2h35min
- Calvi to Hôtel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio: 2h50min
- Bastia to Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio: 2h50min
- Corte to Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio: 1h30min
The hotel is located in the heart of Ajaccio at 8 boulevard Danielle Casanova.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How to get there
To get to Ajaccio, you can opt for the following options:
- By plane: Ajaccio airport is served by numerous airlines. A shuttle service takes you to the train station, a 15-minute walk from the hotel. You can also rent a car when you get off the plane.
- The ferry: here too you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the ferry company that will take you to Ajaccio harbor (but we’ve prepared a short article to help you choose your ferry). You’ll be just a few hundred metres from the hotel!
- By train if you’re coming from another Corsican town, thanks to the Chemin de Fer Corse, which connects you to the main Corsican towns (Bastia, Calvi, Mezzana…). In 15 minutes you’ll be at the hotel.
But if you want to discover Corsica, we strongly recommend that youopt for the car… or for walking!
HOW TO GET TO Corsica
Option 1: by ferry
Departure from France and Italy
- See all ferry options in our article
- Compare schedules, prices and availability directly
Advantage: you can take your car!
Option 2: by plane
Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica.
Compare flights!
Parking
The hotel has no dedicated parking lot. The surrounding streets are chargeable, and depending on the zone, you can only park for 2 to 5 hours maximum.
We therefore advise you to opt for paid parking. The nearest is Q-Park Diamant (3 minutes’ walk from the hotel), but you can also opt for another downtown parking lot (CCI jetée de la citadelle, Tino Rossi…).
For people with reduced mobility
The Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio is a hotel accessible to people with reduced mobility. It has 10 “comfort” rooms suitable for PRMs, unfortunately without a sea view. The hotel also boasts an elevator for easy access to the rooftop.
As always, we recommend that you contact the hotel to prepare for your stay.
Is Hotel San Carlu Citadelle family-friendly?
The Hotel San Carlu Citadelle in Ajaccio is a very family-friendly hotel. It has 4 triple rooms that can accommodate up to 3 people, as well as numerous rooms that can accommodate an extra cot.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN Southern Corsica
Discover our articles on the region:
Discover our articles on Bonifacio:
Discover our articles on Porto-Vecchio
