Village de vacances Paese di Lava, Grand Ajaccio

Set on the Corsican coast near Alata, Paese is a three-star holiday village built around the sea rather than a town-centre address. You come here for direct access to a sandy beach, an outdoor infinity pool and the easy, self-contained rhythm of a resort where breakfast, dinner and most of the evening can happen on site.

The place suits divers travelling with family or a non-diving partner particularly well. There is enough to do between swims, meals and excursions, without pretending that every guest needs a timetable packed from breakfast to bedtime. The website is available in English as well as French, which is useful when arranging the practical side of a stay.

The address is in Alata, in southern Corsica, in a preserved gulf with sea and maquis around it. The beach is directly accessible from the property and sits roughly 0.2 miles away, with sun loungers and parasols available for the beach day you did not spend underwater.

Ajaccio is about 6.2 miles away, while Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte Airport is roughly 9.3 miles from the village. The capital's railway station is around 7 miles away. For a change of scenery, Grand Capo di Feno Beach is about 4 miles away, and the Chapelle Impériale, the cathedral and Ajaccio's citadel are all within roughly 6 miles.

The accommodation ranges from compact double and triple rooms to family rooms and split-level apartments for groups. If you are travelling as a couple and want a straightforward base, the classic double room keeps things simple. For a family or a small group carrying more than two bags and a pair of flip-flops, the family rooms and apartments give you more room to spread out.

Rooms have air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, a television, wardrobe space and a terrace. The private entrance helps keep the arrangement practical, while a drying rack is handy for swimwear and beach clothes. The apartments include a kitchen area, but the end-of-stay routine still includes washing the dishes and taking out the rubbish before departure. There is one bathroom in each accommodation category, so larger groups may want to factor that into the morning logistics.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as buffets, with half-board and full-board options. Breakfast starts at 7am, which gives you a fighting chance of eating before an early outing. The table works with Corsican cooking and brings in local producers, with charcuterie, cheeses, pastries and traditional island dishes making the regional angle rather more useful than a decorative flag on the menu.

Meals are served on a terrace with panoramic views over the sea and mountains. There is also a bar and an on-site coffee house, so a drink or coffee does not require a trip into Ajaccio. Packed lunches are available for days spent away from the village, while themed dinner evenings and a children-friendly buffet add a little flexibility for mixed-age groups.

The outdoor infinity pool gives you an easy alternative to the beach, with sun loungers, chairs, umbrellas and a solarium for the serious business of doing very little. A tennis court, table tennis, darts and pétanque cover the low-effort end of the activity list; fitness, yoga and other fitness classes are there if sitting still starts to feel suspicious.

The property also arranges or offers walking, cultural and boat excursions, with island outings, waterfalls, markets and snorkelling among the suggested themes. Those are useful options for a non-diving day, or for a partner who would rather explore Corsica than discuss surface intervals.

Evenings can bring live bands, DJs, karaoke, broadcasts of live sports and other entertainment. Families have a children's club during the French spring and summer holidays for children aged 3 to 12, alongside children's outdoor play equipment and a playground.

Arrival starts from 5pm and departure is by 10am. You need to tell the property your expected arrival time in advance, so do not leave that detail until the last turn of the road. A 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and a tour desk make the basic arrival and departure mechanics reasonably straightforward.

Free private parking is available on site without reservation, and car hire can be arranged. Wi-Fi is free in the common areas. Cash is accepted, and a cot can be requested for children aged 0 to 2, subject to the accommodation chosen; extra beds are not available. Children of all ages are welcome, while children aged 12 and over are treated as adults for the accommodation arrangements.

The property is non-smoking and pets are not allowed. End-of-stay cleaning is included, but you still need to clean the kitchen area, wash the dishes and take the rubbish out before checking out.