New Nautilus Lodge

New Nautilus Lodge suits divers who want a small base in Puerto López rather than a sealed-off resort. You have air-conditioned rooms, balconies or terraces, a refrigerator for cold water, and a pool where the post-dive programme can be reduced to sitting down properly. Sensible enough.

The setting works for couples, families and anyone who prefers a little room to spread out. Family rooms and apartments give groups more breathing space, while sea-view suites make the most of the coastal location. The lodge's website is available in English, French and Spanish, so you can get the essential information in one of those languages before you arrive.

You are in Puerto López, Ecuador, close to both the Pacific and the centre of town. Puerto López Beach is a two-minute walk away, although the lodge's own description puts the beach at around five minutes. Either way, you are not signing up for a daily taxi just to see the sea.

The immediate surroundings are useful rather than remote. Parque Nacional Machalilla is about 0.3 miles away, and another nearby natural area is roughly 0.6 miles on foot. For dinner away from the lodge, Moby Dick Restaurante is about 0.3 miles away, with Il Capuccino Pizzería Ristorante and Patacón Pisao at around the same distance. Salango Beach is about 3.5 miles away by road.

The rooms are arranged for practical recovery rather than decorative ceremony. Air conditioning matters when you return warm, salty and ready to stop moving; a refrigerator gives you somewhere to keep water cold, and the balcony or terrace offers a place to sit without having to retreat straight into bed. Sea or garden views let you choose between looking towards the coast and looking into the lodge's tropical setting.

For two, the Deluxe Queen Suite is the obvious shape of the stay: a proper couple's base with air conditioning, a private bathroom and outdoor space. If the view is the part you will actually remember, the Deluxe Suite with Sea View puts the emphasis there. Families and small groups have apartments and family accommodation, including a Family Bungalow with three large king-size beds and space for up to six guests. Children of any age are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available, so the sleeping arrangement deserves checking before you book.

A sofa, wardrobe, flat-screen television, kettle and private bathroom facilities round out the basics. Room service is available, which is handy when the day's diving has left you hungry but not sociable. WiFi runs throughout the property, and the rooms are non-smoking.

Breakfast is continental and described as substantial, giving you a straightforward start before heading out for the day. Breakfast can also be served in your room, a useful option when an early departure makes conversation and footwear feel unnecessarily ambitious. Tea and coffee-making facilities are available as well.

There is a bar at the lodge, along with a pool bar and outdoor seating. The bar details are not elaborate, but the arrangement is clear enough: you can stay on site for a drink after the pool rather than treating every evening as a search operation. Room service adds another practical fallback when you would rather eat privately.

For a wider choice, several restaurants sit within roughly a third of a mile. Il Capuccino Pizzería Ristorante covers the pizza-and-pasta instinct, while Moby Dick Restaurante and Patacón Pisao give you named alternatives in the town. The lodge's board formula is not specified, so breakfast is the meal to build into your planning.

The infinity pool is the centre of gravity when you are not diving, eating or holding a drink. A separate children's pool gives families their own option, while the sun terrace, loungers, pool and beach towels make it possible to spend an afternoon without inventing an activity. The garden adds shade and greenery around the outdoor areas.

A massage is available on site for an additional charge. There is no need to turn that into a wellness manifesto: it is simply one way to deal with shoulders that have spent the day carrying kit and being asked to behave. Board games and puzzles are available for quieter family time, and the outdoor seating gives couples somewhere to sit together without retreating to the room.

The tour desk can help arrange outings beyond the lodge. Boat trips, island visits, waterfalls, markets and snorkelling are among the excursions offered, while wildlife observation and cultural excursions are also part of the programme. Cycling, hiking, horse riding and fishing take place away from the property, and walking tours are available from the lodge.

Eloy Alfaro International Airport is about 54 miles away by road, with a driving time of around an hour and a half. An airport shuttle and other shuttle services are available through the lodge; arrange the transfer with the property before travelling. Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to midnight, and check-out is from 11:00 to 12:00. A 24-hour front desk, private and express check-in and check-out, concierge service and a tour desk cover the practical edges of the stay. Cash is the accepted payment method listed for the property, so plan accordingly rather than discovering this at the desk with a wet wallet and a tired face.

Free WiFi is available throughout the lodge. Air conditioning, room service, a safety deposit box and non-smoking rooms are also part of the setup. Pets are not allowed, and children aged four and over are charged as adults.