Koh Phangan Pavilions

This is a small resort-style hotel in Thong Nai Pan Noi, with eight rooms and apartments rather than a large, busy complex. You get the useful combination of sea, greenery and enough space to settle in properly after a day outdoors.

English and German are spoken by the hotel team, which makes the practical conversations easier when you are arranging a transfer, asking about an excursion or simply trying to work out where dinner is. The atmosphere is suited to couples, families and divers who want a base with room to breathe rather than a full programme laid on from morning to night.

Air conditioning, Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a pool and access to the beach keep the essentials in place. There is also a lift, useful if stairs are not your favourite part of the day.

The address is in Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand, in Thong Nai Pan Noi on the island's north-eastern coast. The hotel sits by the sea, with jungle around it, and the beach is reached on foot in about five minutes. White sand, sun loungers and parasols are part of the beach setup, so a post-dive swim does not require another expedition.

The centre of Ko Pha Ngan is around 4 km away, while the surrounding area gives you beaches and island scenery to explore. Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach and Than Sadet Beach are all among the places nearby. Koh Samui Airport is reached by a short taxi ride followed by the island connection, so the airport transfer is part of the journey rather than an afterthought.

The choice is mainly between one-bedroom apartments and studios for two, with a two-bedroom ocean-view apartment for up to four. For a couple, an ocean-view apartment or studio gives the room choice a clear purpose: wake up with the coast as part of the view rather than treating the room as somewhere to leave your bags. Travelling with family or a small group, the two-bedroom apartment gives everyone a little more separation than a single sleeping space.

Every listed room has a private bathroom. Air conditioning matters here, particularly when you return warm, salty and ready to stop moving, while the refrigerator and minibar give you somewhere to keep drinks cold. A kettle, microwave, TV and flat-screen TV cover the quieter parts of the evening; room service is also available when the idea of going back out feels wildly ambitious.

The rooms also include a wardrobe, bed linen, toiletries, a hairdryer and a laptop-sized safe. The room fittings vary by category, so check the individual room card for the exact arrangement before choosing between the apartment and studio options.

The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a snack bar, so you have more than one way to deal with the familiar post-dive problem of being hungry now but not necessarily ready for a formal meal. A kitchen and microwave are also available among the food facilities, along with bottled water and a kettle.

The food style and meal plan depend on the booking arrangement, so this is one point to check when you reserve. The practical advantage is the range of formats: a proper meal at the restaurant, a drink at the bar or something quicker from the snack bar. There is also barbecue space for an evening when you would rather keep things simple and eat outdoors.

The infinity pool is the obvious place to spend the afternoon when the sea has already had its turn. Add the sun terrace, outdoor furniture and the nearby beach, and you can choose between a poolside lie-down, a sandy swim or doing absolutely nothing with conviction. Beach towels and pool towels are available, which saves one more item from the luggage list.

The garden and terrace give you somewhere to sit away from the room, while the hotel can help arrange excursions if you want to see more of the island. Families have a games room, a children's pool and children's television channels, making the non-diving hours easier to manage when younger travellers are part of the group.

There is no spa routine to build the day around, but the setting does the simpler job: pool, beach, shade and a place to sit. After several hours underwater, that may be quite enough.

Airport and ferry-terminal transfers are available through the hotel, and car hire can also be arranged. The airport transfer is chargeable. Contact the hotel before arrival with your travel details so the onward journey can be organised, particularly if you are arriving by ferry or landing on Koh Samui.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 18:00, with reception available until 18:00. Late arrival therefore needs sorting out in advance rather than left to chance. Check-out is at 11:00. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested, subject to arrangement.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Parking is available, and the property also offers luggage storage, concierge assistance, laundry and ironing services. The hotel is non-smoking, has a lift and accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard. Only registered guests may access the rooms, and children aged three or under stay free when sharing their parents' or guardians' room and using the existing bedding.