The country’s accommodation offerings – especially in remote corners of Guyana’s interior – are small, personal, welcoming, and hospitable. Guyana has only a handful of lodges in its rainforests and savannahs, and most of these are small and remote establishments with only six to eight rooms.

Some, like Rewa, Surama and Warapoka, are owned and operated by the local Amerindian villagers who create a unique cultural exchange and experience in conjunction with excellent wildlife opportunities. The community tourism experience is not only rewarding for the visitors but provides much-needed industry in these remote villages.

Others, like Karanambu, have carved out a slice of unexpected comfort in an otherwise rugged environment and allow you to get close to nature. Others yet, such as Caiman House, Atta Rainforest Lodge and Iwokrama River Lodge, have a strong science and nature focus and provide amply comfortable hospitality as well as a chance to learn about the vivid surrounding ecosystems.

While no one comes to Guyana looking for a luxury travel experience, welcome creature comforts are on offer in the capital Georgetown at the charming colonial boutique Cara Lodge and international-class hotel, the Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown. Meanwhile, a host of recreational and relaxation opportunities are available close to the city at a number of resorts along the Essequibo River, like Baganara Island Resort.

Hotels along the banks of the Suriname River blend modern facilities with a view of outstanding plantation houses along the Waterkant.

You can even stay in a planter’s house at La Petite Maison, or just a short stroll away enjoy 5-star luxury at the Royal Torarica Hotel. A short distance from the city you can stay at Plantage Frederiksdorp, an 18th-century coffee and cocoa plantation which is now a mix of historic and modern tourism facilities located close to excellent dolphin and turtle watching locations.

The Upper Suriname River reveals the unique Maroon culture of Suriname. Hundreds of years ago escaped slaves fled into this remote area and isolated themselves deep in the forest and today you can visit their villages and stay at lodges connected to the communities, like Danpatti River Lodge and Anaula Nature Resort.

Even further inland you can experience the Amerindian culture and learn about their way of life at Palumeu Jungle Lodge. Only accessible by aircraft is the remote Kabalebo Nature Resort, offering surprising comfort in the middle of the rainforest.

So much of French Guiana is not what you expect and that’s what makes it interesting and immensely appealing.

The accommodation options are equally off-centre and quirky. Have you ever considered sleeping in a hammock in a prison block? Or perhaps your preference is the prison guards’ bungalows or the Officer’s Mess? All of this is possible on Devils Island, the French penal colony made famous by the book and film “Papillon”.

On the marshes of Kaw, you can stay on a floating lodge, bringing you close to nature. Kourou supports the nearby Guiana Space Center and therefore has business-style hotels such as Hotel des Roches, Hotel Atlantis or La Marina Hotel, overlooking the Kourou River.

The capital Cayenne offers a wide variety of accommodation from simple guesthouses to more luxurious hotels. Overlooking the Place des Palmistes is the Hotel des Palmistes, a traditional Creole building from 1890 with beautifully renovated rooms. Hotel Ker Alberte offers boutique accommodation with a mix of an old historical house and modern architecture. A little out of the city centre are the four-star Hotel Mercure Cayenne Royal Amazonia and the Grand Hotel Montabo.

Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, offers a wide variety of business and leisure hotels along the waterfront, downtown and in the hills surrounding the city.

The Kapok Hotel overlooks the expansive Queen’s Park Savannah and close by are the Hilton Trinidad and Hyatt Regency Trinidad. Heading out of the city you can holiday at the birdwatchers delight of Asa Wright Nature Centre or go back in time with a stay at Pax Guest House at Mount St. Benedict.

A short flight or ferry ride takes you to the smaller island of Tobago, which enjoys white sand beaches and the azure Caribbean Sea. Blue Waters Inn sits on a secluded beach overlooking Little Tobago Island and offers snorkelling and diving. Traditional Caribbean hospitality is on offer at Coco Reef Resort and Spa or the luxury of Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort or indulge in a villa at Stonehaven.

Famous for its nutmeg and mace production, it is also home to great chocolate and rum experiences.

Spice Island Beach Resort boasts a prime location on Grand Anse Beach, featuring rooms opening onto the ocean or suites with their own plunge pools. Further along the beach is the recently opened Silversands Grenada and on nearby bays you can discover the high-end Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel and Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club. True Blue Bay Boutique Resort is a great family-style hotel and has a host of activities, themed dining evenings plus rum and chocolate tastings.

Travel up the coast to less developed areas and enjoy Petite Anse Beachfront Hotel or Mount Edgecombe Plantation Hotel, which features a lovely horizon pool overlooking the sea and birdwatching. Or stay at the small Rumboat Retreat, which unsurprisingly offers a rum experience.

Glistening white sand beaches run into the brilliantly blue Caribbean Sea, on the eastern shore, and the Atlantic pounds the western side of this small island.

Barbados offers a traditional, grand beach holiday escape and boasts some of the best Caribbean hotels. Enjoy a Rolls Royce transfer to the Sandy Lane, for opulent luxury and a private golf course. The opportunity to indulge spreads down the coastline with more amazing hotels like the Fairmont Royal Pavilion and Little Good Harbour.

Along the south-coast Saint Lawrence Gap is the centre of the bustling nightlife and great family, beach hotels like Ocean Two Resort, Sea Breeze Beach House and Bougainvillea Barbados. Smaller properties like Little Arches Boutique Hotel allow you to escape to quieter corners of the island. Or cross to the Atlantic shoreline, amongst small villages, with the sea breeze naturally cooling your room at The Atlantis Historic Inn.

Rugged mountain ranges, volcanic activity, excellent diving and snorkelling plus resident whales and dolphins all create an unexpected Caribbean holiday.

The natural architecture merged with luxury is the hallmark of Secret Bay, an award-winning boutique resort with just six sustainable villas, with outstanding outlooks from the cliff tops. In the same vein is Jungle Bay, combining adventure and wellness with a spa, yoga classes and delicious organic local cuisine.

In the tiny capital Roseau, the Fort Young Hotel offers luxury rooms hanging out over the sea. Further up the coast, the Tamarind Tree Hotel has views over the Bay of Salisbury and Morne Diablotin. On the western side of the island escape to Rosalie Bay, an eco-boutique and wellness resort or Beau Rive, a small intimate hotel nestled into the hillside.