Lancaster Suites Raouche

For a diving trip that also wants Beirut on the doorstep, Lancaster Suites Raouche is a practical city hotel with the sea in the foreground. You get balconies, air conditioning, kitchenettes and a restaurant on site, so the return from a long day out does not require a complicated logistical exercise.

The hotel suits couples who want a sea-facing base as well as families who need room to spread out. Modern interiors, soundproofing and comfortable beds give you somewhere to switch off, while WiFi throughout the hotel makes it easy to deal with messages, travel plans or the occasional piece of work that refuses to stay on dry land.

The atmosphere is more urban than resort-like. That is the point here: you are close to Raouche Rock, the Mediterranean seafront and Beirut's restaurants, with the useful hotel services that make a city stay run more smoothly.

You are in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Raouche area, just steps from Raouche Rock and the Mediterranean seafront. The hotel has direct access to a private rocky beach, with sun loungers and parasols for settling beside the water rather than merely looking at it from a distance.

Ramlet Al Baida Beach is about 0.5 miles away. Downtown Beirut is around 1.9 miles from the hotel, while Hamra Street and the Lebanese American University are both about a five-minute drive away. This gives you a base by the coast without putting the centre of the city out of reach.

There are practical choices nearby when you want to eat or have a drink away from the hotel. Daoud Basha is about a two-minute walk away, Alfred's Bar is roughly 150 feet away, and Empire Bar & Popcorn is about 0.7 miles from the address. Place de l'Etoile - Nejmeh Square is around 1.8 miles away, with the Beirut National Museum and Nicolas Sursock Museum each about 2.4 miles away.

The useful detail here is the kitchenette. A refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle and work desk give you control over the small practicalities of a diving holiday: cold water when you return, a quick drink before bed and somewhere to deal with kit lists or tomorrow's plans without using the bed as an office.

For two people, a twin room keeps sleeping arrangements straightforward, while a king-bed room with a balcony gives a couple a more conventional setup. Sea-view versions are the obvious choice if the outlook matters to you. The balcony then becomes part of the room rather than just a line on the facilities list.

Travelling as a family changes the calculation. The family suites give you separate sleeping arrangements and more living space, while the larger sea-view suites add room for a bigger group and, in one case, a very large terrace. Every accommodation unit is air conditioned, and soundproofing helps protect the night's sleep. You also have a private bathroom, shower, hairdryer, wardrobe, slippers and a flat-screen television with cable and satellite channels.

The Gallery is the hotel's restaurant, an indoor dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its cooking is international, with both generous buffets and an international menu, so you can keep things simple when you are hungry or order from the menu when the evening deserves more attention.

Breakfast is a buffet with a continental spread. It is the sort of arrangement that works well for divers: take what you want, eat at your own pace and avoid turning the first meal of the day into a formal production. Breakfast can also be served in your room when you would rather keep the morning quiet.

There is a restaurant on site and several nearby alternatives if you want to change the scenery. Beit Wared is about 0.4 miles away, while Divvy is around 0.7 miles away. For an easy drink close to the hotel, Alfred's Bar is only about 150 feet from the door.

The private rocky beach is the main place to slow down outside the water. Direct sea access, sun loungers and parasols give you a straightforward option for reading, watching the light change over the coast or doing absolutely nothing for a while. After a day of diving, that last option has a strong following.

Beirut also gives you more to do than sit by the shore. Playtown is about a five-minute walk away, and Sakiet El Janzir is roughly eight minutes on foot. For a more cultural afternoon, the Beirut National Museum and Nicolas Sursock Museum are each about 2.4 miles away, while Sursock Gardens is around 2.5 miles away.

The hotel has a tour desk and concierge service, so you can organise time in the city from the same base as your coastal days. Car hire is available on site as well, which is useful when you want to make your own way beyond the immediate Raouche area.

Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport is about 3.1 miles away, and the hotel offers complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off every other hour. The airport shuttle should be arranged with the hotel so your arrival and departure fit the service's timetable.

Check-in starts from 14:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. A 24-hour reception, express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, currency exchange and a safety deposit box cover the useful edges of a city stay. Private parking is available on site, with valet parking, and car hire can be arranged at the hotel.

WiFi is free throughout the property. Lifts reach the upper floors, and the hotel has non-smoking rooms and family rooms. Children of any age are welcome, with cots available for infants up to two years old. Cash is accepted, and pets are not allowed.