Tembo Barcelona

You are choosing a city hotel with a distinctly coastal side: rooftop water, views towards the Mediterranean and a beach within walking distance. Tembo Barcelona suits divers who want Barcelona on the doorstep, but still appreciate having somewhere comfortable to sit down without immediately heading back into town.

The hotel works for couples, families and small groups, with family rooms, apartments and suites alongside a restaurant, bar, lounge and fitness centre. English, Spanish and French are spoken by the hotel team, so you can sort out the practicalities without turning check-in into a guessing game.

There is also a useful bit of breathing space after the day's activities: air conditioning, soundproof rooms and balconies or terraces in the accommodation mix. Not a grand expedition, then. Just a sensible base with a pool on the roof and enough room to spread out.

The address is in Barcelona's coastal district, at Carrer Ramón Llull, 479-487, with the hotel described as being by the sea. Forum Beach is about 0.8 miles away on foot, roughly a 16-minute walk. Llevant Beach is also around 0.8 miles away, while Nova Mar Bella Beach is about 1 mile away.

For getting around, Besòs Mar and El Maresme | Fòrum metro stations are both about 0.3 miles away, a walk of roughly five minutes. Sant Adrià de Besòs railway station is about 1 mile away. That gives you a practical route towards central Barcelona rather than leaving you dependent on taxis every time you fancy a museum or a change of scenery.

You are also close to a few useful local landmarks: Jardins de Can Llima is about 0.2 miles away and Platja del Fòrum-Banys del Fòrum about 0.3 miles away. The Barcelona Zoo is around 2.5 miles away, with the Arc de Triomf at about 2.6 miles.

The accommodation is built for more than simply dropping a suitcase beside the bed. Every room has a private bathroom, kitchenette, free WiFi and a dining table, with kitchenware, a refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher available in the kitchenette. That is useful when you return hungry, tired and not especially interested in locating a restaurant before showering.

For two, the Deluxe Studio keeps things straightforward, while a sea-view apartment or suite gives you the horizon from the room as well as from the rooftop. If three people are travelling together, the One-Bedroom Premium Apartment offers a more workable arrangement than trying to negotiate floor space around luggage in a studio. Larger parties can look towards the two- and three-bedroom apartments, including the Three-Bedroom Apartment with Sea View for groups of up to six.

Balconies and terraces appear across the accommodation offer, and the rooms include air conditioning, heating and soundproofing. Some categories have sea views, others city views, so the choice affects the feel of the stay rather than just the label on the door. Wardrobe space, a seating area or sofa, a flat-screen television and a hairdryer take care of the less glamorous details. There is also a lift to the upper floors.

Breakfast is a buffet, with local specialities, warm dishes and fresh pastries. Karibu Cuisine serves it from 07:00, until 10:30 on weekdays and 11:00 on weekends and holidays. Kanga Café also handles breakfast and lunch, with international food in a more informal setting and a later breakfast start.

For lunch or dinner, Amani Sky & Tapas Bar serves Mediterranean food and drinks on the terrace from 12:00 until midnight. It is also the hotel's rooftop bar, with cocktails and views across Barcelona. After diving, tapas make a reasonable amount of sense: small plates, something cold to drink and no requirement to pretend you still have the energy for a complicated evening.

There are three restaurants in total, plus the rooftop bar, a coffee house, snack bar and room service. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free choices are available in the restaurant offer, and special-diet menus can be requested.

The rooftop infinity pool is the obvious place to let the afternoon drift past. It comes with panoramic views of the Barcelona skyline and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as sun loungers, a sun terrace, solarium and pool bar. It is the sort of facility that asks very little of you, which is often the correct approach after a dive.

If sitting still feels too ambitious, the fitness centre gives you room for a proper workout. Bicycles are available for hire, and the hotel offers walking tours, bike tours and tours or classes focused on local culture. These are organised activities rather than vague promises of entertainment, so you can use the hotel as a starting point for seeing the city at ground level.

Evenings can include live music or performances, live sports broadcasts, themed dinner nights and happy hour. The shared lounge and television area provide a quieter fallback when the rooftop and restaurant have done their work.

Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00. You need photo identification and a payment card at check-in, and the hotel asks you to share your expected arrival time. A 24-hour reception, private and express check-in or check-out, luggage storage, lockers and concierge service make the arrival routine easier, especially if your room is not ready when you arrive.

Barcelona El Prat Airport is about 10 miles away by road. An airport shuttle and a general shuttle service are available through the hotel, and car hire can also be arranged. Private parking is available on site, subject to availability and advance vehicle details. The hotel has free WiFi throughout, room service, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and accessible facilities including wheelchair access and upper floors reached by lift.

The property is non-smoking, pets are not allowed and parties or events are not permitted. Quiet is required from 23:00, which should suit anyone hoping to sleep rather than conduct a second, noisier dive briefing in the corridor. Children of any age are welcome, with cots and extra beds available on request.