Room Service: Savannah Hotel, Barbados

An 18th-century British garrison canteen might not sound like the ideal location on a tropical island, but the Savannah Hotel has come a long way from its original purpose. The engineering skills of the 1700s have endowed the property with a central hallway and double, cast iron, balconies. Indeed, it owes more to the architecture of North Carolina or New Orleans than to NAAFI.

All rooms are furnished in antique mahogany with four-poster beds, and combine mod cons with venerable elegance, based largely on the sugar plantation "great house". Verandas are equipped with white-cushioned cane sofas with footstools and dining furniture. The grounds slope gently towards a white sandy beach and the ocean, through gardens and a turtle-nesting area.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

The Garrison, Hastings, Christ Church, Barbados (001 246 228 3800, or free from the UK 08000 282 5278; www.barbados.org/hotels/gems/savannah)

Time from international airport: a 20-minute cab ride (about £10) to connect with frequent flights from London.

ARE YOU LYING COMFORTABLY?

The hotel has 100 double rooms and the number of staircases would make wheelchair access awkward. All are comfortably, and elegantly, furnished and air-conditioned.

Freebies: A standard selection of soap, bath gel and conditioner.

Keeping in touch: Satellite TV, phone, radio, CD and video player (with free CD and video library), and high-speed internet access.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Rooms start at US$283 (£176) double and $233 (£146) single. Beachfront suites are $660 (£412) for singles and $50 (£31) for doubles. Breakfast is another $18.75 (£12); breakfast, lunch and dinner adds $106 (£66).