Royal King David

English, German and French are spoken by the hotel team, so you can deal with the practical details without turning check-in into a multilingual exercise. The setting suits divers who want the sea close by, a proper meal on site and somewhere comfortable to sit once the kit, the salt and the day's exertions have been put aside.

Royal King David is a family-friendly hotel with a restaurant, a bar, a shared lounge and outdoor seating. You also have free WiFi throughout the hotel, daily housekeeping and room service available around the clock. It is the sort of arrangement that lets you choose between staying in for the evening and walking into Kardamaina when you fancy a change of scenery.

You are in Kardamaina, Greece, on the coast rather than in the island's main town. The hotel sits directly by a sandy beach, with sunbeds and parasols set up for the shore. Kardamena Beach is also around 0.3 miles away, so a swim, a stroll or a change of beach does not require a major expedition.

The useful local businesses are close. Pegasus Bar is around 0.02 miles away, while Atheneon Bar and Artemis Cafe Bar are each around 0.03 miles away. Pepperoni's Pizza Pasta is around 0.2 miles from the hotel. For a little history between dives, the Alasarana archaeological site is around 0.6 miles away, and Antimachia Castle is around 1.7 miles away.

Kos International Airport is around 2.5 miles away, with a drive of about 11 minutes. Lakitira Beach is around 2.3 miles away and Helona Beach around 2.6 miles away, giving you a couple of alternatives when you want to see a different stretch of coast.

The room choice matters here because the layouts serve rather different purposes. For two of you, a Double Room or a Deluxe Double Room with Side Sea View keeps things simple, while the deluxe sea-view rooms add either a balcony or a clearer view towards the water. That is the choice for anyone who would rather wake up to the horizon than to a garden.

For three-person stays, the Double Room with Garden View has a sofa bed, while the Deluxe Twin Room with Sea View combines twin beds with a sofa bed. Those layouts are more practical than trying to make a couple's room do family duty by force. There is also a suite with sea view for a couple wanting more room to spread out, read, or simply avoid stepping over one another before breakfast.

Air conditioning will help when the day has involved warm water, sun and a long surface interval. Rooms have a private bathroom, a refrigerator, a coffee machine and an electric kettle, which means cold drinks and an early cup of tea are within easy reach. Soundproof rooms and soundproofing are part of the offer, while balconies and terraces give you somewhere to sit outside. Daily housekeeping keeps the return from the beach less cluttered, and a flat-screen TV is there if the evening requires very little ambition.

The all-inclusive setup gives you a straightforward base for the day: the Main Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with international dishes and a buffet breakfast. Breakfast covers continental, Italian, full English and Irish, vegetarian, vegan, halal and kosher choices. Fresh fruit and pastries are part of the spread, which is useful when you want something light before heading out or a little more substantial after being in the water.

For dinner, the A la Carte Restaurant moves onto the terrace and works with Mediterranean cuisine. The dress code is smart casual, so you can leave the full expedition wardrobe in the suitcase and still look presentable. The hotel also has a Pool Bar serving cocktails and snacks beside the outdoor pool.

Room service runs 24 hours, and there is a coffee house on site as well as tea and coffee-making facilities in the rooms. The nearby bars and restaurants add an easy escape when you want to eat or drink outside the all-inclusive routine, without turning the decision into a taxi-based operation.

The main pool is outdoors, large and fitted with a swim-up bar. It is the obvious place for a slow afternoon when you want water without a mask, a cylinder or a briefing. The hotel's direct sandy beach adds another option, with sunbeds and parasols already part of the beach setup.

The spa offers massages, facial treatments and body treatments. For something more active, the gym gives you a way to move without committing to a full sightseeing programme. Kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling are available, and boat excursions can take the day in a different direction when you have had enough of looking at the sea from the surface.

Cultural excursions are also offered, while families have a kids' club, children's activities, babysitting, a children's pool and children's meals. That makes the property workable for mixed groups, although the quieter plan remains perfectly valid: a shaded seat, a treatment and no timetable is still a respectable holiday activity.

Kos International Airport is around 2.5 miles away, about an 11-minute drive. An airport shuttle is available for an additional charge; arrange it with the hotel before travelling. Free public parking is available nearby and does not require a reservation, which is handy if you hire a car for the island rather than relying on transfers.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to 22:00, and check-out from 08:00 to 11:00. Private and express check-in and check-out are available, with luggage storage for the awkward gap between leaving the room and leaving the island. A lift, a safety deposit box, concierge service, car hire, laundry and dry-cleaning services cover the less glamorous parts of travel.

Children of any age are welcome, although extra beds are not available and cot availability depends on the room option. Pets are not allowed, and parties or events are not permitted. Payment is accepted in cash, Visa and Mastercard.