Hotel Yola

If your ideal base is a straightforward coastal hotel rather than a resort with a timetable of distractions, Hotel Yola fits the brief. You are in Altafulla, with the beach directly by the property, an outdoor pool in the gardens and rooms designed to give you space to unpack properly rather than play luggage Tetris. The hotel welcomes families, but its beachside setting also works for couples who want the sea close and the evening uncomplicated.

The practical comforts are in place for a diving holiday: air conditioning for the return from a warm, salty day, a private bathroom with a bath or shower, free WiFi and a lounge with television when you want to sit down without committing to another activity. English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Spanish and Catalan, so you can deal with the useful questions without resorting to mime.

You are in the small seaside town of Altafulla, on Spain's Costa Dorada, with direct beach access and the main stretch of Altafulla Beach about 50 metres away. Tamarit Beach is around 0.4 miles from the hotel, while Cala Canyadell is about 0.7 miles away. That gives you several bits of coast to investigate without turning every swim into a logistical exercise.

Altafulla-Tamarit railway station is around 0.4 miles away. Tarragona is roughly 6 miles from the hotel, putting its Roman Circus, amphitheatre, city walls and old town within reach for a day away from the water. Reus Airport is about 13 miles away, while Barcelona El Prat Airport is around 43 miles away by road. A few nearby restaurants include Polini, Mar Salada and Pizzería La Bella Vita, all within roughly 500 feet.

The rooms are simple, spacious and sensibly equipped for a few days by the coast. For two of you, choose the double or twin arrangement according to whether the holiday calls for one large bed or separate beds; for three, the triple room gives you two single beds and a sofa bed. The family option combines a large bed with a single bed, while the superior double or twin room uses two single beds and a sofa bed. The room cards below give you the exact dimensions and occupancy, so the useful question here is how you plan to use the space.

Air conditioning matters when you have spent the day in a wetsuit under the Spanish sun, and the private bathroom includes free toiletries. A wardrobe, clothes rack and drying rack for clothing help keep the daily kit under control, while a desk gives you somewhere to sort notes, messages or travel plans. Views vary towards the garden or pool, and the flat-screen television is there for the evenings when your legs have had enough of culture, cycling and everything else.

The main table is El Tiberi, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its cooking is Catalan and Mediterranean, with a broad selection of dishes from those traditions rather than a menu built around international hotel filler. Breakfast is served as a buffet, which suits an early start when you want to eat properly and get moving without waiting for a plate to appear.

There is also a bar and an on-site coffee house for the less formal moments, plus a lounge area with television. Special-diet menus are available on request, and packed lunches can be arranged for a day out. The hotel does not give you a late-dinner timetable or continuous snacking schedule, so if your dive day finishes at an awkward hour, it is worth checking the meal arrangements before booking rather than trusting hunger to negotiate.

The outdoor pool sits in the gardens, with sun loungers and a pool bar close by. Add the sun terrace, outdoor furniture and picnic area, and you have the ingredients for the classic post-dive decision: move as far as the shade, or remain where you are and call it recovery. The beach is directly accessible, so you can swap chlorinated water for the coast without planning an expedition.

When you want to stretch your legs, the surrounding choices include cycling and hiking, as well as snorkelling and windsurfing. Canoeing is available off site, and fishing is also an option away from the hotel. Temporary art galleries provide another change of pace, with access subject to an additional charge. For families, there is a games room, board games and puzzles, children's books, DVDs or music, and babysitting or child services.

Check-in runs from 13:00 to 21:00, and you need to tell the hotel your expected arrival time. Bring photo identification and a credit card for arrival. Check-out is from 08:00 to 11:00. There is no age requirement for check-in, although guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian. Cash is accepted for payment.

Reus Airport is around 13 miles away and Barcelona El Prat is around 43 miles away by road. An airport shuttle and a shuttle service are available to arrange with the hotel, and car hire is also offered. Luggage storage, a tour desk and a lift are useful on travel days; upper floors can also be reached by stairs. Children of any age are welcome, with cots available on request for children aged up to three. There are no extra beds, and pets are not allowed.