Domaine Villas Mandarine & Spa ★★★★★

Calvi seems to have nailed that elusive Mediterranean formula: it has more of a paired-back elegance to it than the intimidatingly glitzy St Tropez, but enough to give the slightly rugged buildings an air of sophistication. There is nothing rugged about the Domaine Villas Mandarine though. The villas look like oversized sugar cubes, a modern nod to the island’s traditional architecture, and have a devastatingly cool feel to them; you won't believe this is your new pad.

The interior design is just as sleek as expected, with enormous windows letting light fill the entire, open-plan space. Blonde wood and bold splashes of colour in crisp geometrical lines are a theme throughout the villa, giving a distinctly Scandinavian air to your new home-from-home. This is, of course no ordinary holiday villa – it has all the perks of a luxury hotel with wonderful attentive staff, yet all the serenity and independence of your own place.

Regardless whether you want to explore the island, or if you vowto lay by your pool all day without lifting a finger, the generous breakfasts are always an excellent way to begin the day. The lovely staff seem to have an inexhaustible number of recommendations for tiny cafés and chic restaurants that populate Calvi (as well as the rest of the island) and are especially helpful with reservations and other bespoke activities. You may have always had a soft spot for sunny slices of paradise, but thanks to the Domaine Villas Mandarine Corsica may well be your new favourite spot. It’s certainly the Mediterranean’s best-kept secret – I won’t tell if you don’t!