Cara Lodge

Atmospheric guesthouse influenced by the tastes of Guyana’s Victorian colonial elite, housed in a wonderfully historic wooden building.

Beyond a few bland modern properties, Georgetown does not offer much choice of hotels, but if you are after somewhere with a bit of history and faded elegance look no further than Cara Lodge. The 19th century building was originally two aristocratic residences (one belonging to the city’s mayor) and it has since hosted various dignitaries such as King Edward V11, ex-president Jimmy Carter, Prince Charles and Mick Jagger.

In spite of the elevated status of some of its guests, it isn’t luxurious or glamorous: more an atmospheric guesthouse than a first class hotel, a reflection of Victorian colonialist taste and design with Demerara shutters and polished wooden floors. The informal restaurant has a very good reputation locally.

The décor of many of the higher category rooms is based on a busy, lavish style. The suites in particular have different and rather elaborate themes: one takes its inspiration from Africa while another, the Walter Raleigh Suite, recalls the captain’s quarters of the 18th century ships which used to visit the shores of Guyana in search of gold. Some of the standard rooms, while spacious enough, are quite dark, which keeps them cooler. Executive rooms overlook a patio dominated by a giant mango tree.