ARCHITECTURE / INTERIOR DESIGN

Jean François Bodin

Known for his large-scale museum commissions, French architect Jean François Bodin’s aim at Casadelmar was to harmonise with the gifts of Mother Nature, which the island prides itself on.

As a result, the unobtrusive, low-lying hotel is made entirely of red cedar-wood, grey stone from Alicante and enormous windows. In the lobby, vintage glamour is suggested by the choice of old-fashioned, standing metal spotlights. Frigerio chairs could be attributed to the Adirondack style if they weren’t wildly more comfortably upholstered in lipstick-red fabric. The grounds are as carefully planned as the interiors. Landscape designer Jean Mus, President of the renowned Mediterranean School of Gardens and Landscape worked just like a painter would whilst reshaping the hills and scenery, artfully placing Tuscan cypresses, Japanese pines, olive and orange trees and other sweet smelling, typical Mediterranean plants. Lighting by I Guzzini illuminates relaxed evening strolls across the grounds to wind down for the night in style.

Bodin also designed furnishings, wooden panels and other fittings exclusively for the hotel. An unusual interpretation of “shelters” is displayed by the nearly entirely boxed-in reception area and the solid canopy of cedar planks that cover Bodin’s king-size beds. Classic design pieces include Le Corbusier’s 1930s chaise lounge in some of the suites. Guestrooms have stone floors and are washed in soft shades of honey, straw, caramel and ivory. Each one has a cedar-wood terrace providing a generous view across the Porto-Vecchio bay.