Palazzina B - Contemporary Studio

Aparthotel living in the historic centre of Genova, with the practical advantage of having your own kitchen rather than a timetable to follow. Palazzina B - Contemporary Studio suits divers who prefer a base with room to eat, rest and organise the next day on their own terms, right in the middle of the city rather than in a purpose-built resort district.

The building was refurbished in 2017 and the studios look onto a quiet inner courtyard. That matters when your day has involved salt water, boat noise and the usual amount of sun. Air conditioning and independent heating cover the seasons, while soundproofing, parquet floors and a non-smoking setting make the return indoors feel more like a proper apartment than a crash pad.

English, French and Italian are spoken by the team, so practical conversations should not require hand signals worthy of an underwater briefing.

You are in Genova, Italy, in the historic centre near Piazza Banchi. San Giorgio metro station is close by, and the Aquarium of Genoa is about 1,000 ft away. Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Rosso, Piazza De Ferrari and the old churches and palazzi around the centre are all within an easy walk. This is a city address, not a seaside hotel.

The nearest listed beach is Punta Vagno Beach, about 1.4 miles away, with San Nazaro Beach around 1.6 miles away. Boccadasse Beach is about 2.5 miles from the property. For moving around the city, De Ferrari metro station is about 0.4 miles away, while Portello railway station is about 0.8 miles away.

Restaurants are particularly close: Pestobene is only a few steps away, with Zimino and La Santa also nearby. Bars and cafés sit within a short walk, and the area has supermarkets open seven days a week. The Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport is about 3.3 miles away by the listed location distance.

Choose a studio if you are travelling as a couple or as a small group and want a proper living area rather than two chairs beside a bed. The standard studio combines a king-size bed with a sofa bed, while the Superior Studio gives you more breathing room for four people. The larger Deluxe Apartment is the sensible choice for a group of up to six, with two bathrooms and enough space to make sharing a little less heroic.

Every accommodation has air conditioning, a private bathroom, a kitchen and a dining area. The kitchen includes a hob, oven, microwave, fridge, kettle and cookware, so you can keep breakfast simple, store drinks and prepare something after diving without having to make a formal evening of it. A sofa and seating area give you somewhere to sit that is not the bed. A small but important distinction when you have spent the day in a wetsuit.

Bathrooms include towels, toiletries, a hairdryer, bathrobes and a shower or bath. Mosquito nets, wardrobes, linen and clothes racks cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful details. WiFi is free throughout the property, and upper floors are reached by lift. Quiet hours run from 22:00 to 08:00, which should suit anyone hoping to sleep rather than recreate the noise of a marina.

This is a self-catering setup, with a full kitchen and a dining table in your accommodation. The fridge, oven, hob, microwave and kitchenware let you decide whether the evening calls for a quick meal, leftovers, or something more ambitious than opening a packet. Grocery deliveries are available, and a minimarket is on site for the items that mysteriously disappear just when you need them.

For eating out, you barely need to pack a torch. Pestobene is a few steps away, while Zimino and La Santa are also within the immediate neighbourhood. Fortuna Leonardo is close for coffee, and Bar l’Angolo Latino Genova and Due Colpi are within a short walk when you want a drink rather than another meal.

A tea and coffee maker is provided in the accommodation. Wine and champagne can also be arranged, giving you the option of keeping the evening indoors after a long day without pretending that a kitchen is a restaurant.

Genova supplies the entertainment once you step outside. The Aquarium is about 1,000 ft away, Palazzo Ducale is around 800 ft away, and Piazza De Ferrari is about 1.4 miles by the listed road distance. Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Doria Tursi, San Lorenzo Square and the historic buildings around Piazza Banchi are all close enough to explore without turning the afternoon into an expedition.

For a wider view over the city, Spianata Castelletto is about 1,500 ft away. Giardini Luzzati is around 350 ft away for a change of pace, and walking tours are available. The city also gives you the useful post-dive luxury of choosing your own speed: museum, square, café, or straight back to the sofa.

Board games and puzzles are available for quieter evenings in the studio. The accommodation also has a flat-screen TV with cable and satellite channels, should the day finish with the sort of tiredness that makes a television remote feel like sophisticated equipment.

Private check-in and check-out are available, with express options and luggage storage for arrivals or departures that do not line up neatly with your plans. Check-in runs from 14:00 to 00:30, and check-out is by 11:00. The property asks you to share your expected arrival time, and photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in. The minimum age for check-in is 18.

San Giorgio metro station is close to the property, making the historic centre and wider Genova easier to navigate without relying on a car. An airport shuttle and shuttle service are available through the property. Public parking is available nearby in a parking garage, with no reservation possible. If you are arriving with dive luggage, check the parking and access arrangements before setting off; old-city streets have little patience for improvised logistics.

Laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available. The building has a lift, private bathrooms, free WiFi and air conditioning throughout the accommodation. Children of any age are welcome, and cots can be requested for younger children. Smoking, pets, parties and events are not permitted.