Historic is often overused as a description but at the recently renovated A Casa Reale you are following in the footsteps of Napoleon, Gustave Flaubert and some of the most famous nobles in French history – even the piano in the vast salon was a gift to Belgium’s King Leopold. Built in 1700, it was once part of the exclusive Hotel de l’Europe before that closed and fell into disrepair. Now the second floor has been lovingly restored into an upmarket, four-bedroom B&B overlooking the (yes, historic again) port of Bastia. The emphasis is on modern comforts but the building’s heritage is everywhere – the curated antiques, the 18th Century stuccoes and ironwork, the portraits of illustrious residents and the renovated flooring.
The rooms are enormous, with views over the market square or the port, and furnished with an eye to character and homeliness. There’s a cute breakfast terrace overlooking the sea and a huge sofa-filled living room complete with library – and that piano. It’s the ideal place to relax and unwind after a hard day’s exploring among the sights and smells of old Bastia. And a great location to make your own little piece of history.
Highs
- The location is exceptional – the whole of Bastia and its markets and sights are within walking distance
- Service is second to none – owner Rose has received glowing reviews from former guests, and the guesthouse can order everything from massages to romantic dinners in your room
- A palpable sense of history in the characterful interiors with their paintings, antiques and old maps
- It’s well worth spending an hour or two in the library, which is filled with books about the building and its famous guests
Lows
- Situated on the second floor so there’s no pool
- And no beaches within easy walking distance
- Children are welcome – even babysitting services are provided – but it’s probably best for very small or slightly older kids. Rampaging toddlers and antiques do not go together
- Not great for those with mobility issues as there's no lift and a lot of stairs
Best time to go
July and August are when the temperatures are at their highest, and it's peak season so it can get very busy. Walkers and those looking for a more relaxed visit should probably consider May, June and September when the temperatures are more pleasant and the worst of the crowds have left.
Our top tips
A day trip to the medieval town of Saint Florent (about 20km away) is highly recommended. It has its own old town, port, citadel as well as beaches and wineries. You can go swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding and even take horse-riding tours.
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 4 rooms
- Breakfast only; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Closed: End of February - mid March
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
There are only four bedroms, each individually designed and furnished with their own character.
The Green room is the only one located upstairs so offers added privacy. Warmly decorated in olive and soft pink/peach, it’s spacious (40m2) and overlooks the port and the breakfast terrace. The Blue room has an Empire-inspired design, appropriate since it is dedicated to Napoleon who stayed in the building the night before he went to join the army.
The Yellow room overlooks the Quai de Martyrs and is entered via a glass entrance hall. Bright and sunny, it’s dedicated to military leader Pascal Paoli. The Grey room is the smallest (although it’s still 35m2) and has French windows that open out onto views of the Med. It was once lived in by the Anglo-Corsican Viceroy Sir Gilbert Elliot – the wrought-iron railing bearing his crest is still there.
All rooms feature vintage furnishings, kingsize beds, separate dressing rooms, ensuite bathrooms with bathtubs, plus fridges and TVs.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is a veritable banquet that can be accommodated to your needs. As well as pancakes, crepes, canistrelli, brioche and cakes, there’s also cereal, local cheeses, homemade jams, panzetta and eggs from the hotel’s own coop. Do try the Nucellina spread of caramelised hazelnuts that Rose makes using nuts from her own orchard. Throughout the day you can help yourself to Corsican biscuits and hot drinks including espresso coffee, tea, latte macchiato and hot chocolate. You can also request local cheese and charcuterie aperitif platters to consume in your room on the sea view terrace along with your bottle of wine you get for booking through i-escape.
Bastia itself is awash with high-quality eateries, unsurprisingly serving mainly French and/or Italian cuisine. For fine dining, try Grazie Mille on the place du Marché (steak tartare with mash and truffle, or crab pasta), La Table du Marche (noted for its moules marinieres and scallop risotto), and Chez Huguette (whole octopus).
Also recommended are Café des Gourmets (great for a brunch of pancakes, poached eggs and cocktails, or scrambled eggs with truffle), Les Zephyrs (no menu, it changes daily) and Le Madamoiselle (pizza, penne with gamba, seared tuna).
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Organic produce
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Bastia is an olde worlde labyrinth of backstreets, boutiques and eateries, so best to just step out and begin exploring
- Other than shopping and eating, culture is the order of the day. First stop is usually the Citadel on the promontory that dates back to the 14th Century. There you’ll find the Palais des Gouverneurs, which contains the Bastia museum, and the nearby Sainte-Marie Cathedral
- Place St Nicolas is the main square and the venue for whatever is going on at the time – ice-skating at Christmas, chocolate fair in October, Sunday morning flea markets. It’s got a year-round bandstand for concerts and is a great space for kids to run around
- Nature lovers should head to Cap Corse and hike along the dramatic coastline with its dozens of little coves
- Visit Etang de Biguglia – the largest lagoon on the island and a haven for birdwatchers
- Or simply spend a delightful afternoon on La Marana beach
- In-room treatments from facials and beauty services to a wide choice of massages are easily arranged
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are welcome and well catered for, especially babies. Extra beds and bassinets are available; if you crave an evening a deux, the hotel also provides a babysitting service. Kids stay for free up to 17 year of age.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
All four rooms can take a baby cot or an extra bed. The Yellow and Blue rooms are the largest. If you are a family of four or larger you will need to take two rooms.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
- High chair
- Changing table
- Stroller
- Bassinet
- Portable baby cot
- Deckchair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
- Beaches (La Marana is @15 minutes away)
- Walk along the aldilonda from Bastia's old port to Arinella beach
- Saturday and Sunday morning market
- Day trips around Cap Corse
Distances:
- Airport: 25 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
A Casa Reale is in the heart of the historic town of Bastia, Corsica's main port, found to the north-east of the island at the base of Cap Corse.
By Air:
Bastia Poretta is the nearest airport (just 20km away), and is well served by airlines such as BA, Easyjet and Air France so you can fly direct from the UK and other European countries.
From the Airport:
Either get a taxi – there is a dedicated drop-off point in front of A Casa Reale – or hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. There are two underground parking stations nearby (Parking de la Place du Marché and Parking Saint Nicolas) and also parking places on nearby streets.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Bastia Poretta 20.0 km BIA
- Calvi Airport 112.0 km CLY
Other:
- Beach 1.4 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape