Camelot by the Sea

Camelot by the Sea is an aparthotel for divers who like their accommodation to work a little harder than a bed and a kettle. You have direct access to the beach, an outdoor pool, sea views, and apartments with proper kitchens rather than a token corner for making tea. English is the working language of the hotel team, so practical conversations about arrival, the room or your day out should be straightforward.

The feel is more self-contained than formal. You can take breakfast from the buffet, eat in your apartment, sit outside with a drink, or walk along the sand and let Florida do the evening's entertaining. A balcony, air conditioning and a washing machine are useful details here; none will make a good dive, but all make the return to dry land more civilised.

You are in St Pete Beach, on Florida's Gulf Coast, at 1700 Gulf Boulevard. The hotel sits directly on the beach, with white sand, loungers, parasols and a beach bar close at hand. St. Pete Beach itself is only a short walk from the property, so getting from your room to the water does not require a taxi, shuttle or elaborate planning.

The useful addresses are close enough to matter. Wharf and Sea Critters Cafe are about 0.2 miles away, while Hurricane Seafood Restaurant is roughly 0.5 miles away. Shadracks is around 0.6 miles away for a drink, and Hurley Park is about 0.2 miles away when you want a change of scenery without turning it into an expedition.

For a longer outing, downtown St Petersburg is about ten minutes away by car. Fort De Soto State Park is around 9 miles away, and The Dali Museum is about 10 miles away. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is roughly 17 miles away by road; Tampa International Airport is about 27 miles away.

The choice here is less about collecting room names and more about deciding how much living space you want around your dive kit, clothes and travelling companion. The One-Bedroom Apartment suits a couple who want a separate bedroom and a real living area, while the Two-Bedroom Apartment gives a group more room to spread out. It accommodates up to five guests, which is considerably more practical than negotiating sleeping arrangements around one sofa.

For two people travelling light, the Queen Studio keeps things simpler. It has a king-size bed and sofa bed, while the apartments add the advantage of a full kitchen and dining area. Every unit has a private bathroom, air conditioning, a fan, a wardrobe, a television and WiFi. The air conditioning matters when the Florida heat has done its work; the fan gives you another way to keep air moving at night.

The kitchens are properly equipped for self-catering: refrigerator, oven, hob, microwave, toaster, dishwasher, kitchenware and dining table. There is also a washing machine and tumble dryer, so wet-weather clothes and ordinary laundry do not have to become part of the holiday furniture. Balconies and views vary by unit, with sea, pool or inner-courtyard outlooks available. Ground-floor units are available, while upper floors are reached by stairs only.

Breakfast is served as a buffet, giving you a useful start before heading out for the day. The Sandpiper Restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with international cooking and fresh seafood served indoors in air conditioning. The dress code is casual, which is exactly the level of ceremony most people want when they are still deciding whether their hair will dry before dinner.

There is one hotel bar: The Tiki Bar, directly on the beach. It focuses on cocktails and refreshing drinks, so the post-dive routine can move from sand to glass without much geographical ambition. If you prefer to eat in, the apartment kitchens and dining areas make that perfectly workable, and grocery deliveries are available. Nearby restaurants include Wharf, Sea Critters Cafe and Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, all within about half a mile.

The outdoor pool is the practical centre of the non-diving day: a large pool with loungers and umbrellas, with a pool view available from some accommodation. The beach gives you a second place to lie down, this time with white sand under your feet and the Gulf in front of you. A hot tub, garden, terrace, patio, picnic area and outdoor dining space add alternatives when you have had quite enough of being horizontal on a sun lounger.

For a more active afternoon, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat excursions are available through the local offering, while fishing and other water activities can be arranged nearby. The hotel also has a fitness centre with cardio and weight equipment, useful if your idea of recovery involves something other than walking from the pool to the Tiki Bar. Local attractions and shopping feature among the excursions, with The Dali Museum and St Pete Pier within driving distance.

Free private parking is available on site, with one space per reservation. WiFi is free throughout the property, and car hire, concierge assistance, luggage storage, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available. The hotel accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express; cash is not accepted. Smoking is not allowed, parties are not permitted, and quiet hours run from 22:00 to 08:00.

Check-in runs from 16:00 until midnight, and the minimum check-in age is 24. You need photo identification and a payment card on arrival, and the hotel needs your expected arrival time in advance. Check-out is listed as 10:00 in the booking conditions and 11:00 in the hotel's practical information, so confirm the applicable time before travelling. An airport transfer service is available for an additional charge, and the hotel can also arrange car hire.