Marriott Vacation Club, South Beach

If your ideal dive trip includes a proper city at the end of the day, this South Beach address puts you in the middle of the action rather than behind resort gates. Marriott Vacation Club Pulse South Beach is a three-star hotel built for a stay where the beach, restaurants, Art Deco buildings and evening life are all part of the plan.

The practical side matters too. Air conditioning, free WiFi, a kitchenette and a seating area give you somewhere to recover between outings, while the 24-hour front desk, concierge and tour desk can help with the business of being in Miami. It is a sociable base for couples, friends and families, with evening entertainment on site and bicycles available for getting around without turning every short trip into a taxi journey.

You are in Miami Beach, in the South Beach area of the United States, with Miami Beach itself about a three-minute walk away. The setting is urban and walkable: Versace Mansion is roughly 0.25 miles away, while the Art Deco Historic District and Lummus Park are each about 0.4 miles from the hotel.

That places Ocean Drive dining and the historic buildings within easy reach, with Havana 1957 Ocean Drive and La Cerveceria de Barrio close by for a change of scene. South Pointe Park Beach is about 0.8 miles away on foot, and Miami Beach Botanical Garden is roughly 1 mile away. Miami International Airport is about 8 miles from the hotel, so the arrival day does not require an expedition across the county.

The room choice changes the way the stay works. A studio suits a couple who want a straightforward base near the beach, with a super-king-size bed, sofa bed, seating area and kitchenette. The larger studios bring more room for three or four guests, while the Two-Bedroom Suite is the sensible option for a group of up to five who would rather spread out than negotiate every square foot around the sofa.

Every accommodation has air conditioning, a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer and toiletries, a wardrobe, flat-screen television and microwave. The kitchenette and microwave are useful when you want something cold or quick without turning the evening into another restaurant booking. Sofa beds add flexibility for companions or children, though the sleeping arrangement is worth checking carefully against your group before booking.

Children of any age are welcome, and a cot can be requested for children aged four and under. Children aged 12 and above are treated as adults at the property. The hotel does not allow pets, and the rooms are non-smoking. In other words, choose the category for the people sharing it, not merely for the photograph of the bed.

The on-site restaurant serves Latin American cuisine at lunch and dinner, giving you a proper meal without having to leave the building when the day's exertion has caught up with you. It is family-friendly, which makes the dining room workable for mixed groups rather than reserved for couples only.

Breakfast is not included in the information for this hotel, so the morning plan is yours to make. The surrounding streets give you alternatives: Havana 1957 Ocean Drive is only a few steps away, with La Cerveceria de Barrio and Il Bolognese also close by. For coffee or a drink, The Betsy South Beach Lobby Bar Coffee Bar Pantry, The Conservatory and Clifton Hotel are all within a short walk.

There is one hotel restaurant and no hotel bar listed. That keeps the choice simple: eat in, or step onto Ocean Drive and let South Beach provide the second course.

The sun terrace and terrace give you somewhere to sit when you want daylight without committing to another outing. Free bicycle use is the more active option, useful for covering Miami Beach at a gentler pace than walking in the heat. After that, the hotel leaves the heavy lifting to the city rather than filling the grounds with a programme you have to follow.

Evening entertainment is available on site, which can save you from making a decision when you are tired, while the nearby Art Deco Historic District and Lummus Park offer an easy walk before or after dinner. The Wolfsonian museum is about 0.4 miles away, and South Pointe Park is roughly 1.3 miles from the hotel.

This is a place for a dip in the city rather than a self-contained wellness retreat. You can sit on the terrace, borrow a bicycle, watch television in the air-conditioned room or head out again; Miami supplies the distractions.

Check-in starts at 16:00 and check-out is by 11:00. You need photo identification and a credit card at arrival, and the minimum age for check-in is 21. Cancellation and prepayment rules vary with the accommodation selected, so the conditions attached to your chosen room matter here.

A 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, concierge, tour desk and laundry service cover the useful details of a city stay. Private parking is available on site with valet parking, and reservations are not needed for the parking facility. Lift access and facilities for disabled guests are also available.

Free WiFi covers all areas. Miami International Airport is about 8 miles away, with a drive of roughly 18 minutes in the airport information provided; traffic in Miami, naturally, has its own opinion on timetables.