Zafi Hotel

Zafi Hotel suits divers who want the practical side of island life within easy reach rather than a self-contained resort routine. You can keep the day simple: air-conditioned room, cold drinks from the refrigerator, a swim, something to eat, then out towards the beach or the town when the mood takes you.

The setting is also workable for couples and families. There are family rooms, a garden, a terrace, an outdoor pool and seating outside, so you have somewhere to sit when you have had enough of the room but are not yet ready for another expedition. Free WiFi runs throughout the property, which is useful for checking tomorrow's plans without turning the evening into an administrative exercise.

You are in San Andrés, Colombia, with Spratt Bight Beach around 200 metres away on foot. That is close enough for an unhurried walk to the sand, and close enough to make a quick sea dip possible without organising transport every time. San Andrés Bay is about 1.2 km away.

The surrounding area gives you plenty of choice once you step outside. Cosechas and the Caribbean Disco Club are within roughly 100 to 200 metres, while La Tasca is around 350 metres away. For food, Ile and Café Bar Jet Set are about 100 metres from the hotel, and La Costilla de Juan is around 400 metres away. Parque Sunrise is approximately 1 km away on foot, adding a small urban green space to the immediate area.

Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport is about 1.5 km from the hotel. You are therefore close to the arrival point as well as the main beach area, which keeps the first and last day pleasantly uncomplicated.

The useful distinction here is not just the room name but how much space you want around the bed and the rest of your holiday life. The Standard Double Rooms and Superior Double Rooms are aimed squarely at two people, with king-size or super-king beds depending on the option. For a couple who mainly need a cool, clean base between outings, that is the straightforward choice.

If you want outdoor space attached to the room, choose the Double Room with Balcony. It gives you somewhere to sit without decamping to the pool or terrace, which can matter when one of you is ready to sleep and the other is still sorting the day. The pool-view option is more compact, while the larger Deluxe Double Rooms and the Superior Quadruple Room make more sense when three or four people need to share without playing furniture Tetris.

The Superior Suite is the room to look at when space matters most, particularly for a small family or a group travelling together. It has two bathrooms, a useful detail when several people are trying to get ready at once. Across the accommodation, air conditioning helps you recover from heat and salt, while the refrigerator is handy for keeping water cold. Rooms also have a wardrobe, television, private bathroom, shower, hairdryer, towels and a drying rack for clothing.

Breakfast is served à la carte, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. That gives you more flexibility than a plate assembled at speed, particularly if your morning starts early or your appetite is still deciding what happened during yesterday's dives. The on-site restaurant also handles special-diet menus on request.

There are two drinking spots within the hotel: a bar and a pool bar. The second is exactly where you would expect it to be, beside the outdoor swimming pool, so moving from water to a cold drink does not require much planning. An outdoor seating area and the terrace give you places to eat or drink outside.

Happy hour is also available at the hotel. For a wider choice beyond the property, Ile and Café Bar Jet Set are around 100 metres away, while La Costilla de Juan is roughly 400 metres away. You can therefore keep dinner on site or walk out for a change of menu without turning the evening into a taxi project.

The outdoor swimming pool is the main place to reset without going anywhere. Sun loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas and pool or beach towels are available, giving you the basic equipment for an afternoon spent horizontal rather than heroic. The terrace and garden add alternatives when you want a seat away from the water.

Yoga classes are available for a gentler way to move after a day of travel or diving. Massage is also offered, which may appeal when shoulders and lower backs have started keeping their own logbook. These are useful options for a couple who want to do something together without committing to another full-day excursion.

The tour desk can help shape time away from the hotel, while car hire is available for exploring further around the island. Morgan's Cave and San Luis are among the nearby attractions referred to for the area, and Manglar Old Point is around 2 km away. The Island House Museum is about 5 km from the hotel, so the location works for both an easy pool day and a more deliberate look around San Andrés.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, and check-out is available from midnight until 12:00. You need to tell the hotel your expected arrival time and show photo identification and a credit card at check-in. The front desk operates around the clock, which is useful when island travel refuses to respect tidy office hours.

An airport shuttle service is available and can be arranged with the hotel. Luggage storage, daily housekeeping, laundry, currency exchange and a tour desk are also available. Car hire gives you another way to reach the island's more distant beaches and sights, while the lift serves the upper floors and facilities are available for disabled guests.

Children of all ages are welcome. Cots for children aged up to two years can be requested, subject to the selected accommodation option, while extra beds are not available. Guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian. The hotel is non-smoking, pets are not allowed, cash is not accepted, and parties or events are not permitted.