Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

You come here for a resort stay with room to spread out, rather than a small hotel where everyone knows the colour of your flip-flops by breakfast. Gardens, a private beach, pools, restaurants, a spa and plenty of family facilities make Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu a substantial base for divers travelling with non-diving companions or simply wanting an easy few days around the water.

The scale is useful after time in the sea. You can walk through landscaped grounds, settle by the beach, or head indoors for a massage, a meal or a cold drink without having to turn the evening into an expedition. English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Russian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, so practical conversations at reception, in the restaurants and around transfers should be straightforward.

The resort is in Lapu Lapu, on Mactan Island in the Philippines, with direct access to a 350-metre white-sand beach. Sun loungers and parasols are set out for beach time, while the grounds extend across 13 hectares of landscaped greenery. There is enough space here for a morning stroll that does not involve crossing a road or negotiating with a tricycle.

Lapu Lapu city centre is about 5 miles away. Mactan Cebu International Airport is around a 20-minute drive, which keeps the arrival practical even when your luggage contains more fins than sensible clothing. The resort also offers airport transfers, with the arrangement made through the hotel.

Couples have a clear choice between double rooms and rooms with twin beds, while families and friends can use connecting rooms or select a family room for up to four guests. The connecting layouts are the useful answer when you want separate sleeping space without booking an entirely separate base. Suites take the roomier route, and the Ocean Wing categories are the ones to look at when the view matters more than keeping the booking simple.

The practical kit covers the basics for a proper recovery night: air conditioning, a private bathroom, minibar, television, safe, hairdryer and coffee-making facilities in the relevant room categories. Bathrobes, slippers and toiletries are also available in the room range. Some categories add sea views, while others keep things more straightforward. Room facilities vary by category, so check the individual room details before assuming that every room has the same equipment.

There are three restaurants to rotate between: Acqua, Cowrie Cove and Tea of Spring Tides. Each serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, giving you somewhere to eat at every main point of the day rather than forcing the entire resort to organise itself around one dining room. The exact cuisine at each restaurant is not set out here, so the names do more useful work than a grand claim about what is on the plate.

For drinks and lighter stops, Breeze, Buko Bar and Lobby Lounge provide three separate bar settings. A café and snack bar are also available, along with bottled water and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is available, but the meal arrangement depends on the room booking; for children over five, breakfast is extra when it is not included in the reservation.

The water is the obvious starting point, with an outdoor pool, a further pool, a water park, a children’s pool and a private beach. Beach and pool equipment, towels, loungers and parasols keep the day pleasantly uncomplicated. If your idea of exercise is walking to the shade, that option is covered too; there are gardens, terraces and a sun terrace for doing very little with some determination.

Chi, The Spa offers massages and facials, while the wider wellness facilities include a sauna, steam room, spa and hot tub. For something more active, there is a gym, fitness equipment, yoga and mini-golf, plus billiards. Families have a children’s play area, games room and babysitting service. Later on, the resort can switch gears with karaoke or a nightclub. It is a broad menu, but you do not have to consume the whole thing in one stay.

Reception is open around the clock, with check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 12:00. Early arrival and late departure can be arranged for an additional charge. A deposit is requested on arrival. The hotel offers airport transfers, a shuttle service, vehicle hire, parking and a concierge, while Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.

A lift and accessibility facilities make the property easier to navigate, and there is a 24-hour reception for arrivals at awkward hours. Laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, luggage storage, a safe, currency exchange, an ATM and a souvenir shop are also available. Excursion assistance can be arranged on site. Families should note that extra beds depend on the room category, and children over five do not have breakfast included unless it forms part of the reservation.