Richly deserved: the Caribbean

With more than 28 nations and 7,000 islands, the Caribbean has been a magnet for discerning travellers for decades, lured by its landscapes, diverse culture, history and luxury hotels and resorts. The Caribbean is a playground for the rich, with celebrities, such as Johnny Depp, Julia Roberts and Richard Branson, even buying their own island paradises.

Luxury travellers are spoilt for choice in regards to where to stay, as five-star properties abound. We select a few properties with distinctive offerings that are worth a visit.

For those who relish Old World charm, Puerto Rico's Hotel El Convento stands in the historic quarter of San Juan.

A former Carmelite convent, Hotel El Convento exudes colonial elegance and was initially renovated during the post-war era by Robert Woolworth, heir to the Woolworth department store fortune, with features such as marble chessboard floors and mahogany furniture. Renovated several times since, this hotel is just steps away from the narrow streets of the old town. Also nearby are designer shops, fine dining and imposing forts and cathedrals from centuries past.

Visiting heads of state, dignitaries and celebrities such as Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony have stayed here, with the main Vanderbilt Suite named after another guest who frequented the hotel, Gloria Vanderbilt.

In the Dominican Republic, set on its north coast near the historic port city of Puerto Plata, is Casa Colonial Beach & Spa. A casual chic ambience fuses with Old World elegance leaving guests feeling like they are staying in their own personal mansion.

When not taking advantage of the world-class golf facilities nearby, guests can retreat to the hotel's extensive Bagua Spa, unrivalled in size and scope on the island. Indigenous therapies incorporate the island's mineral and tropical plant extracts, such as amber gemstone, royal bee jelly, honey and ocean waters. At the end of a healing treatment, the rooftop infinity pool or individual jacuzzi awaits with extraordinary vistas of the curving shoreline.

With arbiters of fashion such as Donatella Versace having graced this outpost with their guest presence, Casa Colonial stands out as an example of refined elegance.

For traditional luxury in an urban setting, the Hostal Nicolas de Ovando in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo's historic old quarter of Zona Colonial (Colonial Zone) is a fabulous historic property reinvented into modern-day elegance.

The central structure was the fortress residence of the first governor of the Americas and dates back to 1502. Hence, the formal elegance of the residential and public quarters reflect in such features as the high-beamed ceilings throughout and highly polished tile floors, enormous black wrought-iron chandeliers and the wonderful semi-circular stone-flagged entryways and colonnades skirting the public areas on all floors.

The 104 rooms blend colonial and contemporary décor with such features as the split-level configuration with hardwood steps leading up to the closets, washstand and bath areas located behind a wall. A four-poster bed in the centrepiece of each room gives an impression of soaring space. The colonnaded interior courtyards and patio dining evoke a bygone era.

Venture further into the distinct charms of the eastern Caribbean, and travellers discover that each island has its own character and brand of luxury.

Set on the eastern Atlantic seafront on the island of Martinique, Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa offers the perfect combination of Caribbean seclusion, French culinary excellence, superlative spa therapies and minimalist chic suites. The island's most exclusive resort offers contemporary villas with Franco-Caribbean décor, most of which have views of the crystal clear lagoon. Water sports such as kayaking, paddling boarding and kite surfing are available. Creole charm defines the Cohi-Bar where more than 100 rums are available for perfect sundowners while enjoying the ocean views on its terrace.

Gloriously green and unspoilt are the tiny islands that make up St Vincent and the Grenadines, among them is the island of Canouan - a crescent-shaped islet where the exquisite but low-key Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club is found. There is nothing overwhelming at this stylish property - what impresses and stays with the traveller long after they've left is the intimacy and ease of access to everything - beach, dining, a golfing excursion or a trip into the main town of Charlestown.