Abayomi Hotel

Balconies, sea air and a heated pool give Abayomi Hotel a straightforward appeal for divers who want the coast close at hand and a proper bed at the end of the day. The design is modern rather than rustic, with a garden, restaurant, bar and spaces where you can sit without having to turn the evening into an organised activity. Sensible enough.

Air conditioning, comfortable beds dressed in Trousseau linen and a minibar make the return from the water easier. You can cool down, put your feet up and decide whether dinner deserves leaving the hotel. The beach is right outside, while Ilhabela’s centre remains close enough for a change of scene.

You are in Ilhabela, Brazil, on the seafront facing Praia do Itaguaçu. Praia do Perequê is about half a mile away, Praia do Itaquanduba about half a mile away, and Praia do Engenho D’Água about half a mile away as well. The coastline is not a distant backdrop here; it is part of the immediate geography.

Ilhabela centre is about 2 miles from the hotel, and the island’s ferry port is a 6-minute drive away. That gives you access to the town without placing you in its middle. A few restaurants are nearby, including Dona Bella, about 650 feet away, Cura at roughly 1,450 feet, and O Caminho da Pizza at around 1,850 feet.

For time ashore, Parque Estadual de Ilhabela is about 1.7 miles away, with the Cultural Centre of Ilhabela at a similar distance. Baepi’s Peak and Cachoeira da Toca are both within roughly 2.5 miles. Ubatuba Airport is about 30 miles away by road, with the drive taking around 2 hours and 39 minutes.

The room choice comes down mainly to how much space and outlook you want when you are not underwater. The Standard Double Room with Balcony keeps things simple for a couple, with a super-king-size bed, balcony, air conditioning and minibar. If you are travelling with family or simply dislike having dive bags and wet-weather clothing competing for floor space, the Superior Double Room offers more room to spread out.

For a sea-facing stay, the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View and the Double Room with Panoramic Sea View put the outlook at the centre of the choice. The panoramic option suits a couple who would rather have the view than extra sleeping capacity; the deluxe room adds a sofa bed and works better when the room has to accommodate more than two people. Garden views are available too, which may appeal if your priority is a less exposed outlook rather than a postcard over the water.

The larger suites add a separate sense of space, and some include a spa bath. Every accommodation has contemporary décor, a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV with satellite channels, a desk and free toiletries. A mosquito net is available, and selected rooms add a larger television or sea and garden views. The balcony gives you somewhere to sit while the air conditioning does the hard work after a hot day.

Breakfast is served as a buffet in the restaurant, giving you the useful option of eating at the hotel before heading out for the day. Breakfast can also be brought to your room, which is the sort of detail that earns its keep when an early start has made conversation optional. The hotel also has a bar and a snack bar.

For the rest of the day, the information is practical rather than elaborate: a restaurant on site, a bar for a drink, and a minibar in your accommodation. Room service is available when you would prefer to stay in, while special-diet menus can be requested. Wine or champagne, fruit and children’s meals are also available as additional food and drink options.

If you want to eat elsewhere, Dona Bella is only about a 2-minute walk away, and O Caminho da Pizza is roughly a 6-minute walk. The useful point is choice without needing to turn dinner into a full expedition.

The heated pool is the obvious place to spend a non-diving afternoon, particularly if you want water without another boat trip attached to it. Sun loungers, pool and beach towels, a sun terrace and outdoor furniture make it easy to stop moving for a while. The garden adds a quieter place to sit, read or let the day drain away properly.

There is also a fitness centre for anyone who still has energy to account for, along with a spa and wellness centre and full-body massages. After a run of dives, a massage is a more convincing plan than pretending that another ambitious excursion is what your legs really need. The beach and water-sports facilities on site leave the choice open if you do want to stay active.

For a slower evening, the shared lounge has a TV area and board games are available. The hotel also offers a poolside setting, balconies and terraces, so you can make the gap between returning from the coast and going to dinner as long or as short as you like.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to midnight, and check-out is from 07:00 to 12:00. You need photo identification and the credit card used to guarantee the reservation at check-in, and the minimum age for checking in is 18. The front desk is open around the clock, with luggage storage available if your arrival and departure do not line up neatly with the room.

Private parking is available on site, with no reservation required, and valet parking is offered. WiFi is free in the public areas. Cash is accepted, while cancellation and prepayment conditions vary according to the accommodation selected, so you will need to check the terms attached to your room before confirming.

Families can stay here, and children of any age are welcome. Cots and extra beds can be requested for younger children, subject to the accommodation option and availability. Pets are also allowed on request. Daily housekeeping, laundry and ironing services, a safe, a lift and room service cover the less glamorous parts of a diving holiday — which are often the parts you notice when they are not there.