Cottage sul Mare

You come here for an apartment rather than a conventional hotel room, with the sea only a few steps away and the main square close enough to keep island life within walking distance. Cottage sul Mare occupies the recently renovated historic Cottage Hotel, described as Ustica's first hotel, and keeps the setting informal: private entrances, open-plan living spaces and a shared sea-facing platform for slowing down at the end of the day.

The staff speak English and Italian, so you can sort out the practicalities without resorting to dive-sign language on dry land. Couples have the privacy of their own apartment, while families can use the open-plan layout and request a cot for younger children.

Via Piersanti Mattarella places you in the seaside part of Ustica, Italy. The property sits a few steps from the sea and from the town's main square, which means you can move between the water, a meal and the village without turning every outing into a logistical exercise.

The harbour is about 250 metres away. Three restaurants are close by: Rosso di Sera is roughly 100 metres on foot, Il Faraglione is also about 100 metres away, and Carpe Diem is around 200 metres away by car. Palermo Punta Raisi Airport is 37 miles away, while Trapani-Birgi is 67 miles away.

The accommodation is built around sea-view apartments, so you get more than a bed and a place to leave your mask box. A private entrance leads into an open-plan layout with a seating area, sofa, dining table and kitchenette. That works particularly well for a couple who prefers a little elbow room, or for a family travelling with a cot rather than an extra bed.

The kitchen is practical rather than theatrical: a stovetop, sink, refrigerator, coffee machine and cooking equipment let you put together breakfast, a late plate of pasta or something cold when you return hungry and not in the mood for a restaurant. A drying rack is available for clothing, while the mosquito net is a useful detail in a seaside setting.

Air conditioning and ceiling fans give you two ways to make the room comfortable after heat, salt and a full day outside. You also have a private bathroom with a large shower, hairdryer and towels, plus a wardrobe, tiled flooring, television and free WiFi. Upper floors are reached by stairs only, so factor that in if your knees have started keeping their own dive log.

There is no restaurant or bar to plan your evening around; instead, the apartment gives you the equipment for keeping food simple and on your own timetable. The kitchenette includes a stovetop, refrigerator and coffee machine, with a dining area for eating indoors and grocery deliveries available when you want supplies brought to you.

For a proper meal, you can walk to Rosso di Sera or Il Faraglione, both about 100 metres away, or to Carpe Diem at roughly 200 metres. The shared sea-facing platform adds a more social option at sunset, when aperitivi are served in good company. It is the sort of arrangement that suits divers who want flexibility: cook, walk out for dinner or sit by the water with a drink, depending on how much energy the day has left.

The main piece of leisure space is the sea-front solarium platform, arranged with chairs, loungers and small tables. It gives you somewhere to sit close to the water without needing a pool timetable or a programme of organised entertainment. At sunset, it becomes the setting for shared aperitivi, which is about the right level of activity when your legs have already done their work for the day.

When you want to move, Ustica offers hiking and cycling, with walking tours, bike tours and local-culture tours available nearby. Snorkelling, canoeing and tennis are also listed as off-site activities, while live music and televised sport are available away from the property. You can therefore keep the afternoon active, share an outing with a non-diving partner or simply claim a lounger and let the island get on with it.

Check-in starts from 15:00 and you should let the property know your expected arrival time in advance. Check-out is by 10:00. There is no age requirement for check-in, children of any age are welcome, and a cot can be requested for younger children; extra beds are not available.

A shuttle service is available to arrange with the property. Free public street parking is available on site without reservation, and luggage storage is provided. WiFi is free throughout the accommodation, and laundry facilities are available for longer stays or for the clothes that have acquired a generous quantity of salt.

The apartments are non-smoking, pets are not allowed and parties or events are not permitted. Cash is an accepted payment method. Upper floors are accessible by stairs only, a practical point worth considering when you are carrying luggage rather than fins.