Aethos Corsica

This rustic island isn’t exactly known for fashionable hotels, but Aethos Corsica breaks the mold in every way. Based in a 17th-century converted nobleman’s house, this chic property, now flying the flag of the Aethos “conscious exploration” brand, is a surprisingly sophisticated luxury boutique hotel — and one with an impressive art collection, featuring works by contemporary stars like Anish Kapoor, Daniel Arsham, and Paul de Pignol.

With only nine tranquil, stylish suites, Aethos Corsica tends to feel more like a private home than a hotel. Each one is decorated in an uncluttered contemporary style, with unique artworks and chic and functional furniture. The smallest spans a generous 32 square meters, while the top-end Aethos Suite is double that.

Ceci, the restaurant, is an adaptation of the restaurant at Aethos Corsica’s sister hotel in Umbria; the flavors, naturally, take a local, Corsican turn, and the philosophy is similarly insistent on authenticity and sustainability. Meanwhile the experiences range from a dip in the hotel’s hillside swimming pool to more adventurous excursions, on foot, on horseback, or on the water; the hotel’s location positions it close by to Cap Corse, St-Florent, and Corsica’s best mountain towns.