The Tower at St Raphael Resort

The Tower at St Raphael Resort is built around space, sea views and the practical freedoms of an aparthotel. You get direct access to the beachfront, a balcony, a proper living area and a kitchen, so the evening can be as simple as room service, a cold drink and feet up on the sofa. The hotel's information is available in English, which makes planning and booking straightforward for English-speaking guests.

This suits divers travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family group who do not want to spend the whole holiday negotiating one room and one chair. The atmosphere is broader than a quiet couples-only hideaway: there is a kids' club, evening entertainment, a games room and family facilities alongside the spa and rooftop pool. In other words, you can come back from the water, shower, eat and disappear for a while without having to leave the resort.

You are on the seafront at 502 Amathountos Avenue in Limassol, Cyprus, with direct access to the beach rather than a road crossing or a shuttle ride. Sun loungers, parasols, showers, changing rooms and a beach bar are set up for the seaside part of the day. Parekklisia Beach is roughly 0.2 miles away, while Panagies Beach is about 0.3 miles on foot.

The setting is east of central Limassol. Amathus, the ancient ruins, is around 1.4 miles away, while the Limassol Promenade, the archaeological museum, the zoo and the municipal gardens are about 6 to 7 miles away. You can borrow bicycles, hire a car or arrange a shuttle, but the immediate advantage is that the sea is already on your doorstep and the resort has its own small shop for the forgotten essentials.

These are apartments rather than dressed-up hotel rooms. Two-bedroom apartments are the sensible choice for a couple who want a separate bedroom, a living space and somewhere to keep breakfast supplies; they also work well for two pairs of divers travelling together. The three-bedroom apartments give larger groups more breathing room, while the penthouse is the obvious choice when the trip involves a full group and nobody wants to negotiate bathroom queues before an early departure.

Every apartment has a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, oven, microwave, hob, coffee machine, kettle and dining table. There is also a washing machine and tumble dryer, which is useful when swimwear has been through another day of salt and sun. Balconies and sea, pool or garden views give you somewhere to sit without turning the living area into a drying station for ordinary holiday clothes.

Air conditioning matters in Cyprus, particularly when you are trying to sleep after a hot day outdoors. Soundproofing, a private entrance, a seating area and a sofa make the return from a dive less cramped, while daily housekeeping keeps the practical side under control. Bathrooms include a bath or shower, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries; selected apartments also have two single beds, so check the specific layout before booking if bed arrangement matters.

The main restaurant serves Thai food, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices, so the menu is not limited to the usual post-dive fallback of something beige and hurried. There is one bar, and room service runs around the clock when the sensible plan is to eat privately and be in bed before the next alarm.

Breakfast is buffet-style, with continental, full English and Irish, American, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Fresh pastries, local specialities and a range of drinks cover both the quick coffee-and-toast departure and the slower breakfast when the sea has been postponed until later. Special-diet menus are available on request, and the restaurant is family-friendly.

The kitchen in your apartment gives you another route altogether. Keep fruit, water or simple supplies in the fridge, make coffee when you choose and use the dining table for a meal that does not require formal clothes. The useful luxury here is not a long list of restaurants; it is having a choice.

The rooftop infinity pool looks across Limassol Bay, with a sun terrace for the days when another dip in the sea would be taking the theme too far. The beachfront adds loungers, parasols and a beach bar, while a separate children's pool and playground keep younger travellers occupied. You can also use the tennis court, tennis equipment and free bicycles if sitting still becomes unexpectedly difficult.

Serenity Spa is the place for the less energetic afternoon. Facilities include a steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and relaxation area, with massages, facials, mud baths, body wraps and body scrubs among the treatments. Couples' massages are available, as are head, neck, back, foot and full-body massages. The fitness centre offers workout classes, aqua aerobics and stretching for anyone who wants to loosen up without pretending it is a second dive.

For an evening away from the water, the resort arranges cultural excursions, boat trips, island visits, waterfall outings, market visits and snorkelling. There are also live music and dancing shows, disco nights and other parties. The kids' club, indoor and outdoor play areas and babysitting give families some room to split up for an hour or two, while temporary art galleries and the resort's shops offer quieter diversions.

Larnaca International Airport is about 34 miles away, with a driving time of roughly 35 minutes. Paphos International Airport is about 42 miles away and around 45 minutes by car. An airport shuttle is available, and car hire can be arranged. Free private parking is available on site, including an electric vehicle charging station, so arriving by car is uncomplicated.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, and you need to tell the property your expected arrival time. Check-out is by 12:00. The front desk operates around the clock, with concierge service, currency exchange, luggage storage and private check-in and check-out. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there is an on-site minimarket for the small items that somehow become urgent after a day outside.

Children of all ages are welcome, with cots and extra beds available depending on the apartment selected. The minimum age for check-in is 18, and parties are not allowed. Pets can stay on request without an extra charge. The property also has wheelchair-accessible units and lift access to upper floors.