Hotel Santa Maria

You stay at Hotel Santa Maria for a straightforward combination that works well between dives: the sea nearby, the centre of Chiavari within reach, a restaurant on site and somewhere outdoors to sit with a drink. The setting is urban and coastal rather than remote, so you can step out for a walk, a coffee or dinner without turning the evening into a transport exercise.

English, French, German and Italian are spoken by the hotel team. That matters when you are arranging arrival, discussing a room or asking for help with local plans. The hotel suits couples looking for a sea view, families needing a room for three, and divers who prefer a practical base on the Riviera rather than a resort sealed off from the town.

The address is Via Vittorio Veneto, in central Chiavari, Italy, on the seafront facing the Gulf of Tigullio. The sea and a sandy beach are about 50 metres away, with sun loungers and parasols available on the beach. You are staying in town, not beside an isolated strip of coast: shops, streets and historic sights are part of the immediate surroundings.

The railway station is about 0.5 miles away, while the centre's historic monuments and well-known streets sit within roughly 500 metres. For eating out, Bagni Giardini is about 0.03 miles away, and Il Besugo Innamorato is around 0.1 miles away. Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is about 30 miles away, around a 30-minute drive.

The room choice is mainly about what you want to see when you draw the curtains. Sea-view doubles face the Gulf of Tigullio, and the balcony version gives you a private outdoor spot as well. For two divers travelling together, that is the natural choice if the view matters more than squeezing every last inch out of the room.

Travelling as three? The Triple Room gives you one king-size bed and one single bed, with more space than the compact doubles. The railway-view double is the one to approach with a clear head: it keeps the king-size bed and the practical comforts, but the outlook is towards the railway rather than the sea.

Air conditioning will help when warm, salty water has taken the last of your energy, while heating covers cooler nights. Rooms also have a minibar, flat-screen television, wardrobe, private bathroom with shower or bath, bidet, towels, toiletries and hairdryer. WiFi is free throughout the hotel, and room service is available, with limited service periods.

The main table is Ristorante Santa Maria, an indoor, air-conditioned restaurant serving Mediterranean food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The kitchen works with fresh, local produce, and the dress code is casual. After a day in the water, that means you can eat without dressing for an awards ceremony.

Breakfast is a buffet served from 07:30. Lunch runs from 12:30 to 14:30, and dinner from 19:30 to 22:00. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available, which is useful when the group does not all eat from the same menu. Half-board is offered as a meal plan.

There is one bar: Bar Centrale, a lobby bar specialising in cocktails. The garden has tables and chairs for a drink outside, while room service runs from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00. The minibar in your room covers the quieter end of the evening, when walking any further than the lift feels unnecessarily ambitious.

The outdoor swimming pool gives you an alternative to the sea when you want a quick, controlled dip rather than a full beach outing. The sun terrace, garden and outdoor furniture are made for the less demanding part of the day: sit down, cool off and let the conversation take its own pace.

The beach is close enough for an easy change of scenery, with golden sand, loungers and parasols. You can also take part in water-based activities including snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and boat excursions, with equipment rental available. These are useful options for a partner or family member while you are occupied elsewhere.

On land, the hotel offers cycling, walking and cultural excursions. Organised outings include Genoa and the Cinque Terre. Casa Carbone and Torre del Borgo are both around 0.8 miles away, while Parco Casa Charitas is about 0.8 miles on foot. Babysitting and a children's menu are available for family stays.

Private parking is available on site, with limited spaces and reservation required. An electric vehicle charging station is available. The A12 motorway exit is within easy reach, and the hotel can arrange an airport shuttle on request. Car hire, luggage storage, laundry, ironing and a concierge service are also available, with a doctor on request.

Check-in runs through the afternoon and evening, with the published windows starting at 14:00 or 15:00 and ending at 23:30 depending on the booking arrangement. Let the hotel know your expected arrival time, and bring photo identification and a payment card. Check-out is scheduled between 07:00 and 12:00, again according to the booking terms.

The lift reaches the upper floors. The hotel is non-smoking throughout, and free WiFi covers all areas. Cash and Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted. Early check-in and late check-out can be arranged on request, subject to the booking conditions.