Le Guanahani is et overlooking sweeping white-sand beaches on the sun-drenched French West Indies Caribbean island of St Barths. Named after Christopher Columbus’s brother Bartholomew, St Barths boasts an average temperature of 28°C in Winter and 30°C in summer, fabulous duty-free shopping opportunities, and the best in fine dining experiences. The hotel Guanhani is a truly idyllic tropical hideaway. And what’s more it is committed to sustainability – the epitome of barefoot luxury with a green conscience.

Le Guanahani’s 67 brightly coloured guest cottages are spread over 18 secluded tropical acres of lush tropical gardens. There are 30 rooms, 27 suites and 10 unique signature suites, all decorated in modern Caribbean style, with vibrant colours of lavender, yellow and turquoise, and bold Creole or explorer-style interiors. Each of the rooms offers a private terrace, air con, in-room safe, mini bar, telephone, flat-screen TV, iPod docking station, high-speed WiFi, and bathrooms with Clarins toiletries. And that’s just for starters. Each of the lodgings is more fabulous than the last; suites have spacious sitting rooms, private pools, Jacuzzis, terraces and gardens, the Admiral Suite has a four-poster bed, and a relaxing balneo bath tub, while the Serenity Suites has its own hamman. The three-bedroom Garden House has an extended sundeck, and a secluded garden setting, while the Beach House looks directly on to the beach and has a secluded garden with a private Jacuzzi and the Hibiscus su

Where to start. If you can bear to leave your private sun deck or balcony, there are two beautiful swimming pools (and your own private one if you have one), a fitness centre, flood-lit tennis courts, a choice of two beaches with a full programmed of watersports, and a reef-protected lagoon. Then there’s the Clarins spa, with is adults only pool, relaxation areas and a spa boutique, as well as the salon by Frédéric Fékkai offering haircare for men and women, a wellness programme offering Pilates, yoga, Zumba, Aqua Fitness – and a full programme of activities to keep the kids occupied, while you’re enjoying yourself. And relax…

Le Guanahani offers delicious French-Mediterranean cuisine, served al fresco at two idyllic settings, either al fresco overlooking the gardens of Bartolomeo, or poolside at Indigo with stunning views of the reef-protected bay. Continental Breakfast is served for early birds, as well as a generous American style buffet through the morning, while the evening menu is based on seafood and grilled dishes. For sundowners and light snacks, where better than Indigo on the Beach, set between Le Guaahani’s two palm-studded beaches, and the Beach Bar is the spot for a chilled bottle of rosé or perhaps a glass or two of bubbly to toast the sunset.