Mirramar House

Mirramar House is a self-contained stay for travellers who want space, a kitchen and the freedom to set their own timetable. Families are a natural fit, but so are divers who prefer a house to a conventional hotel room, particularly when wet kit, everyday clothing and post-dive appetites all need somewhere to go.

There are two living areas, including one with a large flat-screen television and DVD player. The other catches the sun and looks towards the ocean, giving you a quieter place for a book or a cup of tea when the day has gone properly horizontal.

The house also works for longer stays, with full laundry facilities, a furnished deck and the practical setup needed for self-catering. Pets are welcome, and the accommodation is non-smoking.

In West Hobart, Australia, Mirramar House is at 70 Mirramar Park in Blackmans Bay, on the southern side of Hobart. Blackmans Bay and Kingston beaches are both a one- to two-minute drive away, with direct access to a sandy beach listed among the property's features.

Hobart's CBD is around 15 minutes away by car, while Kingston is less than five minutes away. That gives you access to the city without putting the house in the middle of it; useful when you want an evening out, less useful if your holiday plan involves wandering straight from reception into a busy centre.

The location also puts southern Tasmania within reach for day trips. Bruny Island, the Huon Trail, Tahune AirWalk, Hastings Caves, national parks and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area are all listed as nearby bases for exploring.

This is a house rather than a collection of standardised hotel rooms, so the useful question is how you plan to use the space. Two living areas make it easier for one person to sleep, read or watch television while others are still moving about. The downstairs queen bedroom has its own en-suite, while the main bathroom adds a shower and a separate spa bath.

The kitchen is properly set up for self-catering, with an oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher, kettle and the usual equipment needed to prepare meals rather than merely reheat them. That matters when you return hungry, tired and not particularly interested in negotiating a restaurant menu.

Air conditioning and heating cover the less predictable side of Tasmanian weather. Bedrooms include linen, wardrobes, an alarm clock, television and DVD player, while the house also has a washing machine and dryer. The deck has outdoor furniture and a barbecue, with an ocean view for the part of the evening when everyone has stopped pretending they are going back out.

The accommodation is offered on a self-catering basis, with a full kitchen that includes an oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher and kettle. You can therefore keep breakfast simple, prepare a proper evening meal or stock the fridge for the days when diving has taken more out of you than expected.

A restaurant is also listed among the property's facilities, giving you an alternative to cooking. The barbecue on the deck adds a third option, with outdoor furniture and an ocean view rather than the usual battle for the best table in a dining room.

There is no bar service described here, so drinks are part of your own provisioning plan. Bottled water is available among the listed meal facilities.

The spa bath is the obvious place to start when the muscles have had enough of carrying you around. Beach towels are available, and the nearby beaches support swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, fishing and boating for days when you want water without a dive schedule.

On land, the choice broadens to bushwalking, golf, wildlife observation and cultural outings. The property is positioned as a base for the Antarctic Division Headquarters, the Huon Trail, Tahune AirWalk, Hastings Caves, Bruny Island, national parks and the World Heritage Area.

For a slower day, the house gives you a garden, terrace, courtyard and furnished outdoor space. The second living area is arranged for reading and enjoying the ocean view, which is a respectable activity in its own right and requires no booking, lesson or special clothing.

Arrival is from 2pm and departure is by 10am. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested, which is worth keeping in mind if your travel plans do not fit neatly around those hours.

Free off-street parking is available, making a hire car a practical choice for reaching Hobart, Kingston and the wider southern Tasmanian attractions. The house also has a lift, air conditioning, heating and non-smoking indoor spaces.

Laundry is covered with a washing machine, dryer, ironing board and iron. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also listed, with both included as available hotel services. A cot and high chair are available for families, and pets are welcome.