The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

Some hotels are little more than a bed between dives; this one gives you room to spread out, eat properly and decide whether the next move is the pool, the spa or absolutely nothing. Set beside the Mediterranean in St Julian's, the Westin Dragonara Resort combines two private beach areas, indoor and outdoor pools, a garden and several places to eat under one roof. The practical benefit is obvious: you do not need to organise an evening expedition when your legs have already done enough work underwater.

The resort suits divers who want a full-service base rather than a small guesthouse with a kettle and a hopeful smile. Air-conditioned accommodation, soundproofing, room service, a minibar and a 24-hour reception cover the less glamorous but very useful parts of a dive holiday. Couples can keep things simple, while families have room categories designed for larger groups and a children's club, playground and outdoor play equipment on site.

You are in St Julian's, Malta, on a beachfront site with the Mediterranean directly part of the setting. St Julian's Bay is about half a mile away, while St George's Bay Beach is roughly 1,250 feet away on foot. Exiles Beach is about 1.5 miles away, giving you another stretch of coast to reach when you fancy a change of scene rather than another length beside the hotel pool.

The address sits in the real heart of St Julian's, so you are not marooned at the edge of the island. The bus terminus is a five-minute walk away, and nearby places include Sky Club at about 50 yards, the Reef Club at roughly 300 yards, and several restaurants within a few hundred yards. For a cultural day, the National Museum of Archaeology and St George's Square are about 2 miles away, with Valletta's Auberge de Castille and Upper Barrakka Gardens around 2.5 miles from the resort.

Malta International Airport is about 5 miles away by road. That is close enough to make arrival and departure manageable, but still worth arranging your transfer before you arrive, particularly if your flight lands at an awkward hour.

The useful divide is not the long list of room names; it is whether you want sea, garden or extra living space. For two people, a sea-view room with a super-king bed keeps the arrangement straightforward, while a Tower Room adds a balcony if outdoor space matters to you. Couples who prefer a separate sitting area can move up to a junior or executive suite, with sea-view options available.

Families have several ways to avoid sleeping in a tangle of fins, bags and charging cables. Rooms with two large beds accommodate up to four people, while the garden-view junior suite accommodates up to six. For a larger family group, the two-bedroom luxury suite provides genuinely separate sleeping space and a sofa bed. The presidential penthouse is another scale entirely, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms; useful if your idea of sharing a holiday is not necessarily sharing every square inch of it.

Every room is air-conditioned and includes a terrace with sea views in the accommodation described, as well as a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, an LCD television with satellite channels and a private bathroom. Soundproofing matters when sleep is the main item on your evening schedule. Some suites add a spa bath, and selected rooms include Executive Club Lounge access; the lounge does not admit children under 12 between 18:00 and 20:00.

The food operation gives you four restaurants, with enough choice to avoid treating every evening as a repeat performance. The Terrace Restaurant handles breakfast, with continental, American and buffet options. That is the sort of spread that lets you choose between a sensible start and the full recovery mission before a morning in the water.

Palio's Trattoria focuses on Italian specialities, while Quadro keeps things simpler with homemade food. European and Mediterranean cooking runs through the resort's restaurant offering, and special-diet menus can be arranged on request. Room service and breakfast in your room are available when the idea of putting on proper clothes has lost its appeal.

There is a lobby bar where drinks continue until late, plus the Reef Club, which operates from June to September. The minibar and in-room tea and coffee facilities cover the first drink without a walk downstairs. Sometimes that is the difference between a pleasant evening and an early night interrupted only by the hunt for water.

Two private beach areas and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools give you a choice between salt water, fresh water and the sensible option of a lounger. The Bayview pool is heated throughout the year, while the indoor pool is open all year round. The Bayview sun terrace has sun loungers and parasols, so you can read, doze or simply watch the light change over the water without pretending that every hour needs an activity attached to it.

For the more energetic member of your travelling party, the fitness centre has modern machines and weights, with fitness classes, yoga classes and personal training also available. Table tennis and aerobics offer lighter alternatives, while bicycle hire gives you another way to see the area. A hot tub, steam room, spa relaxation area and massage service are there for the post-dive recovery plan; beauty services and spa packages widen the choice if one of you wants treatment time while the other claims a sunbed.

Families have a children's club, outdoor play equipment and a playground, with babysitting and child services available. The casino is on site too, for an evening when cards and roulette sound more appealing than another discussion about tomorrow's dive profile.

Reception runs around the clock, with concierge assistance, luggage storage, a tour desk, currency exchange and express check-in and check-out. Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. You need photo identification and the card used for the booking at check-in, and the hotel asks you to share your expected arrival time in advance. A card pre-authorisation is taken during check-in to cover incidentals, so keep that in mind when planning your arrival arrangements.

Private parking is available on site, with a parking garage, and you do not need to reserve a space. WiFi is free throughout the property, including the rooms and common areas. Car hire can be arranged, and the hotel also offers packed lunches, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services when a longer trip has left your kit bag looking as though it has developed its own weather system.

The resort has lifts, wheelchair-accessible facilities, accessible upper floors and bathrooms with grab rails, raised toilets, lower sinks and emergency cords. Children of all ages are welcome; extra beds and cots can be requested, subject to the chosen room and availability. Pets are not allowed.