Marina-Bay-Resort - with Pool - first line to the sea

You arrive at Marina Bay Resort as an aparthotel guest rather than a conventional hotel resident, with the practical advantage of having space to spread out and a kitchen when a restaurant meal is not what you want. The setting is built around the waterfront, with balconies, terraces and sea views doing much of the visual work without needing a sales pitch.

English, German and Croatian are spoken by the hotel team, so you can deal with the useful things clearly, from arrival arrangements to the small questions that matter when you have wet kit and a tired body. Family rooms are available, but the layout also suits couples who prefer an apartment-style base to a standard hotel room.

The resort is in Sukošan, Croatia, directly beside the sea with access to a sandy beach, sun loungers and parasols. Podvare Beach is around 0.3 miles away, while Dječji raj Beach is roughly 0.3 miles away on foot. Soline Beach is about 0.8 miles away, and Zlatna luka Beach around 1.1 miles away.

You are close enough to restaurants without being dropped into a city-centre setting. Palac is about 0.3 miles away, with Porat and Konoba kod Guste each roughly 0.8 miles away. Zadar sits around 6 miles from the resort, putting Five Wells Square, the People's Square and the city's museums within reach when you fancy swapping fins for old stone and a proper wander.

The area also gives you access to boating, with Zadar Airport around 3 miles away. That short airport run is handy on arrival and even handier when the return flight is not prepared to respect your enthusiasm for a final leisurely breakfast.

The accommodation is designed for living rather than simply sleeping. Apartments and suites have a private bathroom, a seating area with a sofa, a dining area and a kitchen or kitchenette. The kitchen equipment includes a refrigerator, oven, hob, dishwasher, coffee machine, toaster and kettle, giving you the option of making something simple when returning hungry is more appealing than dressing for dinner.

For a couple, a sea-view suite or apartment makes the most of the setting, particularly if you expect to spend time on the balcony rather than indoors. For four guests, the two-bedroom apartment or Family Suite gives you a more sensible division of space; several categories also have two bathrooms, which avoids the familiar holiday argument over who gets there first.

Air conditioning is available for recovering from hot, salty days, while heating covers cooler evenings. A wardrobe, linen, hairdryer, shower or bath and drying rack keep the practical side in order. Flat-screen television with satellite channels and free WiFi are there for the hours when conversation has run out and the legs have not yet recovered.

The swimming pool has a sea view, giving you an alternative to the beach when you want water without sand in every pocket. Sun loungers and parasols are available, and the garden and terrace provide places to sit outside with a book, a drink or the sort of expression that says the day has already done enough.

A fitness centre is available if your idea of recovery involves moving deliberately rather than remaining horizontal. Cycling and hiking are also possible around the area, offering a change of pace without turning the holiday into an endurance event.

For days shared with a partner or family, the resort offers sailing, boat excursions and outings involving islands, waterfalls, markets and snorkelling. Cultural excursions are available too, while Zadar's historic centre and museums are close enough for an afternoon away from the shoreline.

Check-in runs from 17:00 to 19:00, and you need to tell the property your arrival time in advance. Check-out is from 07:00 to 09:00, so the schedule favours an organised departure rather than a last-minute scramble. Quiet hours run from 22:00 to 06:00, and smoking, parties and pets are not allowed.

Free private parking is available on site, with a reservation required. WiFi is free throughout the aparthotel. Children of any age are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available, so choose the accommodation according to the people actually travelling rather than relying on a spare bed appearing at the last minute.

Zadar Airport is about 3 miles away. Airport transfers are not detailed here, so if you are not driving, arrange your preferred transfer directly with the property before travelling.