Fatboys Resort

Island life here is built around the water rather than hidden from it. Fatboys Resort combines rooms, cottages and bungalows with a beach, an over-water restaurant, an over-water bar and an on-site dive centre, so the important parts of the day stay pleasingly close together.

The resort presents its information in English, making it a natural fit for English-speaking guests. The mood is informal and practical: a place where you can eat with the sea below you, take a boat out, read in the library or simply let the afternoon drift past on the coast.

Fatboys Resort is in Kukundu, Solomon Islands, on the coast with direct access to the beach. The resort sits away from the bustle: the town centre is 8 miles away, while the shoreline is right at the property.

That setting gives the resort its particular shape. You are not booking a town base with a beach somewhere nearby; you are choosing a waterside stay where the beach, boat excursions, snorkelling and the dive centre are part of the immediate surroundings. Excursion assistance is available when you want to explore beyond the resort.

For two, the standard or deluxe double rooms keep things straightforward, with a private bathroom, shower, fan, safe, towels and tea- or coffee-making facilities. Several of the double-room options add a balcony, while the deluxe double rooms can open the view towards the ocean. That is the useful distinction: choose the deluxe ocean-view option when looking out matters as much as having somewhere to sleep.

Cottages and bungalows give the accommodation a more independent island feel, with family versions for larger groups and ocean-view or balcony options in selected categories. Some double bungalows and cottages are set up for couples, including honeymoon-oriented accommodation. Family cottages and bungalows are available when a couple of extra occupants and their luggage need more room to coexist without a diplomatic incident.

The practical details are well suited to a warm coastal stay. Fans, balconies, private bathrooms and showers cover the basics, while the safe and tea- or coffee-making facilities are useful when you want to settle in rather than head straight back out. The room-only arrangement has a three-night minimum, so this is better suited to a proper island stay than a quick overnight stop.

The restaurant sits over the water and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an à la carte breakfast rather than a fixed morning buffet. Its cooking follows the islands: local flavours, locally sourced ingredients and a farm-to-table, sea-to-plate approach. Fresh seafood has a clear place on the menu, alongside desserts and children's meals.

There is one bar, an over-water beach bar focused on cocktails, local favourites and house creations. It is the obvious place to move when dinner is done but the evening has not quite finished. The combination of restaurant below, bar nearby and open water around both gives meals a setting that a standard dining room would struggle to imitate.

The accommodation is offered on a room-only basis, while breakfast is available separately à la carte. The restaurant covers all three main meals, which keeps the daily routine simple when the next boat outing, beach hour or unplanned afternoon nap has already claimed the timetable.

The beach is directly accessible from the resort, and the water provides the main non-diving options: snorkelling, fishing and boat excursions. Island trips and snorkelling outings are also available, giving you a way to spend time on the water without turning every day into another full dive schedule.

Back on land, the pace can be gentler. There is a library, billiards, a garden, a terrace, picnic space and barbecue facilities. Cultural excursions add a little more purpose when you want to see beyond the resort, while babysitting and children's meals make the place workable for divers travelling with family.

An infirmary is available on site, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort. Laundry is also available, a modest but useful detail when salt water, boat spray and a small rotation of holiday clothes begin to compete for space.

Airport transfers are available through the resort and need to be arranged with the hotel before travel. The service is paid, so include it in the arrival plan rather than treating it as an automatic part of the room booking. Excursion assistance is also available on site.

Check-in runs from 09:00 to 16:00, with check-out at 08:30. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort, and laundry is available. Payment is accepted in cash, Visa and MasterCard. There is no lift, which is worth keeping in mind when choosing accommodation and organising luggage.

The electrical supply is 230 volts at 50 hertz, with type G and type I sockets. The resort also offers a garden, terrace, library and barbecue areas, so there are places to sit when the weather is doing its usual island thing and the only serious decision left is whether to read or eat.

The hotel uses solar panels as part of its energy supply and collects rainwater for use on the island. Those are practical measures in a coastal setting where resources deserve a little more attention than a slogan on a wall.

The approach also reaches the kitchen, with locally sourced ingredients and a sea-to-plate emphasis. It is a straightforward link between the resort, the surrounding waters and the food placed on the table.