Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chao Fah

This is a full-service city hotel in Wichit, suited to divers who want a comfortable base rather than a beach resort. You can return from the sea, cool off in the rooftop pool, eat on site and let someone else deal with the practicalities for a while.

The tone is polished but useful: a gym, a bar, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and services aimed at travellers who may be arriving by car or heading out to explore Phuket. English and Chinese are spoken by the hotel team, which removes one of the more tiresome parts of travelling: explaining the same simple request three times.

The hotel also suits couples, families and travellers combining diving with time in Phuket Old Town, local markets or cultural sights. It is not positioned as a dedicated dive lodge. That is precisely the point if you want your evenings to include something other than discussing cylinder sizes.

The address is on Chaofah West Road in Wichit, in Phuket province, Thailand. The hotel stands 2 km from the town centre, with Phuket Old Town, the King Power Phuket duty-free mall, Phuket Big Buddha and several popular beaches within the wider local area.

You are also close to places that give the island a bit more character than a row of resort signs. The nearby Naka Weekend Market, Wat Chalong and Khao Rang Hill View Point make straightforward additions to a day away from the water, while the hotel can arrange a local shuttle to nearby attractions.

Phuket International Airport is 22 miles away. The setting works best if you want access to the island’s sights and dive operators without staying directly on the coast. A car park is available, and vehicle hire is also offered.

For a couple, the double rooms and junior suite keep things simple: a proper double bed, air conditioning, soundproofing and blackout blinds. Those last two details matter more than a decorative cushion when you have an early boat to catch. The mountain-view double rooms add the outlook, while twin-bed rooms make more sense when you are sharing without wanting to share a mattress.

The rooms are set up for recovery rather than theatrical grandeur. You have a fridge, bottled water, tea and coffee-making facilities, a private bathroom with shower, toiletries, towels, a hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers. A safe, wardrobe, television and Wi-Fi cover the ordinary business of keeping your kit, phone and travel documents under control.

Families have dedicated quadruple rooms, including a two-bedroom option. The suites provide more separation for a longer stay, with dining areas in some categories. Room service runs around the clock, so an early breakfast in bed or a late plate after travel is possible without turning the evening into an expedition. The rooms are non-smoking, and the combination of air conditioning, blackout blinds and soundproofing gives you a better chance of sleeping through the tropical daylight and the corridor traffic.

The All-Day Dining Restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6:00 to 22:00. Its menu brings together Thai, Asian and Western cooking, which is useful when one person wants something local and the other has reached the end of the day with very firm views about familiar food. Breakfast is included, and a buffet is available.

There is one named bar: the Sky Lounge. It is a lounge rather than a sports bar, with cocktails, other drinks and an à la carte menu. In practical terms, that gives you somewhere to sit with a drink without having to make another journey through Phuket after dinner.

Room service is available 24 hours a day. The hotel also has a snack bar, so the food arrangements are not limited to the restaurant’s main service. For Christmas and New Year’s Eve, gala dinners may be charged separately at the hotel; that is worth checking before booking those dates rather than discovering it with your boarding pass in hand.

The rooftop pool is the obvious post-dive option: a short, low-effort way to cool down without committing to another excursion. A children’s pool is also available, and the hotel provides pool equipment. The terrace is set up for taking it easy rather than for competitive swimming.

The fitness centre and gym give you somewhere to move if a day on a boat has left you stiff rather than tired. There is also a garden, outdoor furniture and a sun terrace, all useful when you want to sit outside with a book and make no further plans. The spa is listed among the hotel’s facilities, while the hotel’s own description also places the focus on the pool and fitness centre.

When you want to leave the building, the tourist information service can help arrange excursions. Cultural outings are part of the offer, with Phuket Old Town, Wat Chalong, Big Buddha and local markets providing more substance than simply moving from one pool to another. Karaoke and barbecue facilities are available for an evening with a bit more noise.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:30 and check-out is at 12:00. Reception operates around the clock, which is useful when a flight lands late or a transfer from the airport takes longer than planned. Airport transfers and shuttle services can be arranged through the hotel; the airport is 22 miles away.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. You also have a lift, wheelchair-accessible facilities, luggage storage, concierge assistance, laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, a safe and an on-site ATM. A business centre and two meeting rooms make the hotel workable for a mixed business-and-diving trip, even if your main meeting of the day is with the dive boat.

Parking is available, and vehicle hire can be arranged. The hotel accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, China UnionPay, Diners Club and cash. Families can use the available childcare service, and extra beds depend on the room category. The hotel is non-smoking and does not accept pets.