Sofitel Baru Calablanca Beach Resort

All decorated with accents of stone, wood and pretty woven details to mirror the island's natural allure, the hotel has a number of bars, lounges and restaurants. Try flagship Calablanca for traditional Colombian and Mediterranean cuisine made with farm-to-table ingredients – the wood-fired pizzas are a favourite. Other dining spots offer grilled dishes, and there are several bars for cocktails, wines and light bites. The hotel has five pools (four of which are adults-only) and a delightful spa.

All gazing out across the lawns and Caribbean Sea, there are 188 rooms in total, including a selection of top-floor suites. The rooms are all large and breezy with hand-stitched tapestries that reflect the desirable destination. Each room has a King-size bed with a signature Sofitel 'MyBed' mattress, and the larger rooms also have a separate living area, dining room and, for the Presidential Suite, personal butler service. The bathrooms are well-appointed and some have a private hot tub. Certain rooms also have direct access to the beach.

When you're not reclining poolside or soaking up the sunshine on the beach, the hotel has a number of activities to delve into including cooking classes, coffee tasting and turban workshops where you'll learn about its history in Afro-Caribbean culture. Enjoy dips in the ocean both day and night (the latter includes swathes of glowing plankton at the right time of year). Head off for a Hobie Catamaran cruise or explore the nearby National Aviary – Isla Baru is famed for its birdlife.