Hotel Las Costas

Sea views, a beachfront position and enough recovery space to make a diving holiday work without turning every evening into an expedition: that is the practical appeal here. You can trade your wetsuit for a swim, a spa session or a drink overlooking the pool, then settle in for dinner without leaving the property.

The hotel suits couples who want the coast on the doorstep, as well as families who need more than a bed and four walls. There is a year-round outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness programme and evening music, so your non-diving companion has options while you are underwater. Puerto del Carmen is close enough for restaurants, bars and outings when you fancy a change of scene.

You are in Puerto del Carmen, on the south-east coast of Lanzarote, with direct access to the long golden beach of Playa de los Pocillos. The hotel sits on Avenida de Las Playas, in a central coastal area surrounded by shops, restaurants and leisure options. No heroic navigation required: the sea is part of the address.

Playa de los Pocillos is also around 300 metres away on foot, while Playa Matagorda is about 1.2 miles away and Playa Chica around 2 miles by road. Rancho Texas Park is roughly 1 mile away. For a meal or a drink beyond the hotel, La Marisma and Mylady are around 50 metres away, with other restaurants and bars close by.

The room choice is mainly about the view and the sleeping arrangement. For two of you, the sea-view rooms make the most of the beachfront setting; side sea view rooms keep the maritime connection while giving you a more restrained version of it. Solo travellers have a dedicated single-room option, while family and triple arrangements use twin beds with a sofa bed.

Air conditioning matters when the day has involved sun, salt and a few hours in a close-fitting suit. Rooms also have soundproofing, a private bathroom with shower, a balcony or terrace, a minibar, kettle, seating area and desk. WiFi is available throughout the hotel, and a drying rack is useful for ordinary beach clothing. The practical kit is here; the view is what decides between the categories.

The main restaurant works as a buffet for breakfast and dinner, with Canarian, Mediterranean and international cooking. Breakfast runs from 07:30 to 10:30 and covers continental, American and buffet choices, including gluten-free options on request. Dinner brings themed buffets and live cooking, served either in the air-conditioned dining room or on the terrace with a sea view.

You can book breakfast included or half board. Dinner has a smart holiday dress code: swimwear, vests, tracksuits and flip-flops stay out of the dining room, although smart tailored shorts are accepted. After the meal, the Cocktail Bar takes over with signature cocktails, live music and shows from 18:00 to midnight. Earlier in the day, Snack Bar Piscina Blue Marlín serves snacks and drinks beside the pool from 11:00 to 18:00.

The main outdoor pool comes with a sea view, a jacuzzi and a sunbathing area. It is heated in winter according to the outside temperature, with opening hours of 10:00 to 18:00 in winter and 11:00 to 19:00 in summer. A lifeguard is on duty. Families also have a separate children's pool, heated on the same seasonal basis, plus a games room available throughout the year.

For slower recovery, the spa includes a hydrotherapy pool, Turkish bath, ice fountain, sauna and relaxation area. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and hairdressing are available by appointment; spa access is for guests over 16 and requires a reservation. If your legs still have opinions, the fitness centre offers cardio and strength equipment, with yoga, Pilates and aquagym among the organised activities.

A chill-out area with Balinese beds gives you somewhere to stop pretending to be busy. You can also hire bicycles, play table tennis or billiards, take part in cultural excursions and listen to live music in the evening. Children's activities run during school holidays, so families should treat that timetable as seasonal rather than permanent.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to midnight and check-out from 07:00 to 12:00. You need photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the hotel asks you to share your expected arrival time. The reception is open around the clock, with luggage storage available for the awkward gap between leaving the room and leaving the island.

Lanzarote Airport is roughly 3 to 4 miles away, making the transfer relatively short. Airport transfers are not available through the hotel, while car hire can be arranged. Free public parking is available nearby, although spaces cannot be reserved. WiFi is free throughout the property, and a doctor can be requested if the holiday produces a problem more serious than a sandy shoe.

The building has a lift, although upper floors are also reached by stairs only. Smoking is restricted to designated outdoor terrace areas. Children of all ages are welcome, cots are available on request, and guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian. Late check-out and early check-in can be requested, subject to availability.

The hotel's sustainability work is built into the property rather than left as a slogan on a card in the bathroom. Solar panels, photovoltaic panels and geothermal energy form part of its energy mix, while the gardens use native plants chosen for low water consumption. Lava gardens add a distinctly Lanzarote touch without demanding a thirsty lawn.

The programme also includes reductions in propane and electricity use, together with recycling of plastic and paper. These measures avoid the emission of 937 tonnes of CO2 each year, according to the hotel's sustainability figures. It is a practical approach: use the island's sun, work with its volcanic ground and reduce the resources needed to keep the place running.