Le Jardin Malanga Hotel

It’s not uncommon to talk about the Caribbean as though it were a single destination, but one of the reasons for its perennial appeal is that it’s a place that offers a near-infinite variety of experiences. At one extreme there’s the all-inclusive beachside mega-resort; at the other extreme there’s a place like Le Jardin Malanga, just outside of Trois Rivières, Guadeloupe. Nestled into the forest ten minutes up the hillside from the beach, it’s blessed with stunning views of the nearby Saintes islands. And it’s far from a mega-resort, or even a resort — it’s just a Twenties-era colonial mansion plus three freestanding cottages, making for an atmosphere that’s as tranquil as can be.

Le Mansion Coloniale contains a suite that sleeps four and a pair of “triple” bedrooms, while the more contemporary cottages each come with a pair of bedrooms plus a children’s room on the upper level. A small open-air restaurant serves French-Caribbean cuisine, and the infinity pool is positioned with a view out to sea. And there’s more to the island than just the hotel and the beach — the tropical forest conceals wildlife, waterfalls, and even La Soufrière, an active volcano.