L'Alivi rte du Cap, Ville Pietrabugno tel 04.95.55.00.00, www.hotel-alivi.com. Large three-star, 3km north of the city, with a pool, car park and private access to the beach. The rooms are light, spacious and sea facing with glorious views from their terraces. €125–150Auberge San Martino place de l'Église, San Martino di Lota, 11km north of Bastia tel 04.95.32.23.68. Unpretentious, welcoming and typically Corsican place high above the corniche in the middle of a gorgeous old village, offering a handful of simple rooms (all en suite ). There's no obligation to go for half board but given the hospitality most people do. The only drawback is you need your own transport to get here. Advance booking essential. €30–40 Central 3 rue Miot tel 04.95.31.71.12, www.centralhotel.fr. Just off the southwest corner of place St-Nicholas. Recently refurbished rooms and a welcoming patronne, making this by far the most pleasant and best-value place to stay in the centre. €40–55 Cyrnea Pietranea tel 04.95.31.41.71, fax 04.95.31.72.65. Congenial little two-star, 4km out of town. All rooms are en suite, but only some overlook the water. You also get the run of a little garden strewn with sun loungers, which leads to a secluded pebble beach. €55–70 Posta-Vecchia quai-des-Martyrs-de-la-Libération tel 04.95.32.32.38, [email protected]. The only hotel in the Vieux Port, and good value, with views across the sea from its (pricier) rooms at the front. Smaller, cheaper options are in the old block across the lane. €55–70 Riviera 1 bis, rue du Nouveau-Port tel 04.95.31.07.16, fax 04.95.34.17.39. Basic, and a bit noisy, but near the harbour. €55–70 Les Voyageurs 9 av Maréchal-Sébastiani tel 04.95.34.90.80, www.hotel-lesvoyageurs.com. Swish three-star opposite the post office, done out in pale yellow and with two categories of rooms: the larger, pricier ones have tubs instead of showers. €70–85
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