Residence Inn by Marriott Clearwater Downtown

English is spoken by the hotel team, with Spanish also available, so you can handle the useful conversations without resorting to underwater hand signals. Residence Inn by Marriott Clearwater Downtown is built around suite accommodation rather than a conventional single-room stopover, with kitchens and separate areas for living, dining and sleeping.

That makes it a sensible choice when your trip includes more than diving: a weekend in Clearwater, a longer stay, or a few days when everyone does not want the same timetable. Families and pets are welcome, and the property combines a heated outdoor pool, fitness facilities and free Wi-Fi with the sort of space that lets you spread out a little.

The address is 940 Court Street in Clearwater, Florida, close to the city centre and within easy reach of Clearwater Beach. You are staying in an urban setting rather than at a beach resort, with downtown attractions and everyday amenities around the hotel.

The location also works for exploring further afield. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, BayCare Sound, Busch Gardens and Raymond James Stadium are among the attractions named in the hotel's surroundings. Tampa International Airport is 16 miles away, so the transfer is straightforward by road, but this is not an airport hotel in disguise.

The useful distinction here is between a basic hotel room and a suite with somewhere to sit, eat and prepare food. The suites come with fully equipped kitchens, including a fridge, microwave and dishwasher, plus a dining area and separate living and sleeping spaces. For a diver, that means cold drinks and a simple meal can be dealt with in the room rather than turning every evening into a restaurant operation.

Choose a studio or one-bedroom layout when you want a manageable base for two. The two-bedroom suites make more sense for a group or family that values doors between sleeping areas and a little breathing room. Some accommodation comes with city, lake or water views, giving you a choice between looking at the Clearwater skyline and looking towards the water.

Air conditioning is available in the full suite categories, along with a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, television, safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities and an iron. Pull-out sofa beds add flexibility. The room mix is broad, but the practical point is simple: this is accommodation designed for staying in, not merely dropping a suitcase beside the bed.

Breakfast is the reliable starting point here: a complimentary full American hot breakfast buffet is served from 6.30 to 9.00 from Monday to Friday, and from 7.00 to 9.30 at weekends. That gives you time to eat properly before heading out, though the weekday service starts earlier than the weekend one.

The accommodation also includes kitchens and microwaves, which is useful when you want food on your own timetable. A barbecue area is available for a less formal evening meal. The meal arrangement is otherwise centred on the included breakfast rather than a full board programme, so plan on using the kitchen or heading into Clearwater for later meals.

The heated outdoor pool is the obvious place to spend a slow afternoon when you are not heading back into the water. It gives you an easy change of pace without asking you to organise an excursion, and pool equipment is available. The hotel also has a garden, useful when sitting indoors has lost its charm.

The fitness centre is there for a proper workout or a short session to loosen up after travelling. A barbecue area adds another low-key option for the evening, while the suite kitchens let you keep the rest of the day uncomplicated. There is no need to turn every non-diving hour into an activity; sometimes a chair, a drink and the ability to make toast is the winning plan.

The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property and free on-site parking. An airport transfer is available as a paid service, and car hire is also listed among the practical transport options. Elevators provide access to the upper floors, and the property has facilities for wheelchair users.

Check-out is at 12.00. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested, which is useful when travel plans do not line up neatly with the hotel day. Guests must be at least 21 to check in. The property is non-smoking in its public and private areas, and pets are welcome.

There is also a business centre, luggage storage and laundry and dry-cleaning services. For longer stays, those last two are more useful than another decorative lobby feature; wet-weather clothing and travel kit have a habit of producing laundry at exactly the wrong moment.

The hotel carries the Energy Star Hotel distinction. That is the environmental credential attached to the property, without turning the subject into a sermon.