Sandy Beach Hotel & Spa

Set on Dhekelia Road, Sandy Beach Hotel & Spa is built for the sort of holiday where the sea, the pool and a proper meal are all within easy reach. You can step from the hotel straight onto a golden-sand beach, then retreat to a room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view towards the Mediterranean or the pools. No expedition required; your flip-flops will cope.

The hotel suits couples who want the coast without being cut off from town, as well as families with dedicated rooms, two children's pools and a kids' club for children aged 4 to 12. There is enough here to fill a non-diving day without turning every minute into an organised activity: loungers by the water, a spa, a few places to eat and a lounge for the point at which conversation becomes optional.

Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a minibar and a safe cover the practical side of the stay. A 24-hour front desk, concierge service, lift access and free private parking keep the machinery of the holiday reasonably straightforward.

You are in Larnaka, Cyprus, directly on the beach at Dhekelia. The hotel faces the Mediterranean and sits on a stretch of sand with sun loungers and parasols, so the sea is part of the address rather than a distant day trip. Pyla Beach is also about 0.6 miles away, while Yanathes Beach is around 1 mile away by road.

Larnaka town centre is a 10-minute drive. The Finikoudes seafront, Europe Square, Larnaka Medieval Castle and Saint Lazarus Square are all about 5 miles away, giving you a manageable route into town for a change of scenery. Larnaca International Airport is about 7 miles away, around a 15-minute drive.

Restaurants, tavernas, discos and bars are a two-minute walk from the hotel. That matters when you want to eat elsewhere without arranging transport, although the hotel itself gives you several places to settle in for the evening.

The room choice is mainly about the view, the bed arrangement and how much space you want around your luggage. For two people, the Executive Double or Twin Room is the obvious pick when a sea view and a super-king-size bed matter more than keeping the booking simple. The Executive Suite adds a separate level of roominess and a sea view, which is useful when your idea of luxury involves not having to stack bags on the only available chair.

Couples can also choose between partial, side or full sea views, or look towards the pool. The family options include a room arranged for two adults and two children, plus two connecting double rooms for the same family combination. A triple room with three single beds gives three divers a more practical sleeping arrangement than negotiating ownership of one large bed at the end of the day.

All rooms have contemporary styling, floor-to-ceiling windows, air conditioning, satellite television, a safe, minibar, private bathroom, towels, toiletries, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. Balconies are available, and some room categories also have tea- and coffee-making facilities. A wardrobe, clothes rack and a socket beside the bed handle the less glamorous business of unpacking and charging everything.

Breakfast is a buffet with continental, Full English/Irish, vegetarian and vegan choices. That gives you a broad start before a day by the coast, whether you want something substantial or prefer to keep things light. Lunch and dinner are available in more than one setting, so you are not tied to a single dining room for the whole stay.

Elia Restaurant handles dinner on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean and serves international cuisine. Il Giardino offers an Italian dinner in an air-conditioned interior, with indoor and outdoor seating and a smaller, more intimate feel. Two further venues cover the less formal end of the day: Aqua Bar & Restaurant sits beside the pool and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, daytime snacks and refreshing drinks.

Meltemi Lounge works as a terrace or indoor stop for coffee, cocktails and snacks across the day. Down by the beach, Bimini Beach Bar serves lunch and dinner with cocktails and snacks beside the sea. Between the five venues, you can move from breakfast to poolside food, then from an easy drink to dinner without treating every meal like a logistical exercise.

The pool set-up gives you several ways to spend a day above water: a lagoon-style outdoor pool, two children's pools and a heated indoor pool. Sun loungers, parasols and beach towels are available for hotel guests, while the direct beach access lets you choose sand or poolside without making a production of it. The garden, sun terrace and outdoor seating add places to sit when lying flat has done its work.

For a more deliberate recovery session, the Health Club brings together a sauna, whirlpool, Jacuzzi, gym and fitness facilities. The spa offers massages and treatments including body scrubs, body wraps, other body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing and beauty services. Some of these are chargeable, so the spa is best treated as a menu of options rather than an all-included extension of the room.

You can also join aerobics or fitness classes, use the tennis court and equipment, or take part in beach volleyball when it is organised. Cycling, bike tours and walking tours are available, while live music and evening entertainment give the evening a little structure. On the beach, sailing, windsurfing and other water sports are run by separate management. Families have the extra option of the kids' club for children aged 4 to 12.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. You will need photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the hotel asks you to share your expected arrival time. The 24-hour front desk helps with arrivals outside the usual rhythm, while luggage storage and concierge service are available for the awkward gap between leaving the room and leaving Cyprus.

Free private parking is available on site without a reservation. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and car hire, laundry and dry-cleaning services are available. The hotel also has an on-site infirmary, currency exchange and room service. Cash is not accepted, so bring a payment card rather than relying on a pocketful of notes.

Children of all ages are welcome. Cots are available for babies up to 1 year old, subject to the selected accommodation and availability; there are no extra beds. Pets under 8 kg are allowed on request. The hotel is non-smoking throughout, with a designated smoking area, and guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian.