Grand Tala Bay Resort, Aqaba

Grand Tala Bay Resort sits on the Red Sea with the scale of a proper resort rather than a small dive hotel: five swimming pools, a private beachfront, several places to eat and drink, and enough going on to keep non-diving companions occupied. You can spend the morning in the water, the afternoon by the beach and the evening somewhere with a view, without having to turn the whole day into a logistical exercise.

The mood is polished and sociable, with outdoor spaces facing the sea, evening entertainment and a choice of water sports on the private beach. Couples can keep things quiet when they wish, while families have a kids' club, family rooms, a children's pool and a water slide to deploy when the children discover that sitting still is not compulsory.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Arabic. That matters when you are arranging an airport transfer, asking about dinner or trying to establish whether the towel you are holding belongs to the pool or the beach.

The address is South Beach, Tala Bay, Aqaba, Jordan, directly on the Red Sea. You have a private beach at the resort, while Aqaba South Beach is about 250 metres away on foot. Aqaba Marine Park is even closer, at roughly 50 metres. This is the southern resort side of Aqaba, not a hotel in the middle of the town's streets and shops.

King Hussein International Airport is about 15 miles away by road, with a drive of roughly 24 minutes. Eilat-Ramon Airport is about 25 miles away by road, while Ovda International Airport is about 33 miles away. The resort also puts Petra within reach for a day out, with the journey taking about an hour by car.

For an evening beyond the property, Bay Watch is about 10 feet away, while Suzana Restaurant & Bar is roughly half a mile on foot. The Aqaba Fort is about 9 miles away by road, so the resort gives you a straightforward base for combining Red Sea time with a little history, provided you are willing to leave the pools behind.

The useful distinction between the rooms is not simply the label on the door. Superior, Standard and Deluxe rooms suit two people travelling with separate beds, while the Junior Suite and Executive Suite are the more natural choice for a couple wanting one extra-large double bed and more room around it. The Family Suite uses a king-size bed and a sofa bed, giving families a more workable arrangement than trying to negotiate sleeping space around two single beds.

Private balconies and large windows give the rooms a proper connection with the outside, and some overlook the Red Sea. If the view is part of the reason for booking, check the specific room category rather than assuming that every balcony faces the water. The Executive Suite is the room for those who value extra space and a separate bathroom arrangement; the more compact rooms keep things simpler and are likely to suit a diving couple who would rather spend their time outside the room.

Air conditioning is welcome after a hot, salty day, while soundproof rooms give you a useful buffer when the resort is entertaining in the evening. Free WiFi covers the hotel, and the rooms include a flat-screen TV, satellite channels, a wardrobe, an electric kettle and a minibar. Room service is available for the nights when showering, dressing and finding a table elsewhere all feel like unnecessary advanced planning.

Aziab Restaurant is the main culinary anchor, serving international and regional dishes indoors or outside with panoramic Red Sea views. Breakfast is continental and buffet-style, which is the sort of arrangement that lets you choose between a proper plate and something quick before getting to the water. The resort also has four restaurants in total, although the named dining information centres on Aziab and Heatwave Lounge and restaurant.

For drinks and the post-dive recovery period, Sunset Bar combines cocktails, wine and light snacks with sunset views. Oasis Beach Bar is right on the beach and runs from 10:00 until sunset, while Dugout Bar sits within the main pool. Kenzi Lounge handles coffee and drinks in the lobby, and Baywatch offers snacks overlooking Tala Bay. That is a fair amount of choice without requiring a taxi every time you fancy a drink.

Heatwave Lounge and restaurant brings an evening option, while Sunset Deck sits just outside the lobby and opens in the evening from 19:00 until midnight during summer. Regular food and drink promotions are also part of the resort's offering. The practical point is that you have several ways to eat, snack or simply sit down, but the exact meal arrangement for your stay needs checking against the accommodation option you choose.

Five swimming pools give you room to vary the day, and the private beach adds a more natural place to sit with a book, a drink or the expression of someone who has just remembered the alarm is set for tomorrow. Pool and beach towels, sun umbrellas, a sun terrace, outdoor furniture and gardens keep the basic business of stopping fairly well covered.

The resort's water activities include snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, kitesurfing, boat excursions, banana boats, flyboarding, inner tubes, yachting, water skiing and parasailing. Some activities carry an additional charge, so they are best treated as options rather than assumed inclusions. Canoeing and windsurfing are also available, giving a non-diving partner plenty of ways to get wet without having to discuss cylinder sizes.

On dry land, you can use the bicycles, join yoga on the beach, take part in aerobics or arrange excursions and off-road activities. Beach football, beach volleyball, buggy rides, gyrocopters, an electric scooter and a paddle court add more energetic alternatives. The spa provides wellness treatments, while evening entertainment runs at the resort. Families have a kids' club, babysitting or child services and children's meals, so the place can accommodate a mixed group rather than asking everyone to follow the same timetable.

King Hussein International Airport is the most convenient of the listed airports, at about 15 miles by road. An airport shuttle is available through the resort and should be arranged with the hotel. Free private parking is available on site without a reservation, and valet parking is also available if you arrive by car. Car hire, a tour desk, currency exchange, an on-site cash machine and concierge service cover the basics once you are there.

Check-in starts at 16:00 and check-out runs from 11:30 to 12:00. You need photo identification and a credit card at check-in, and the resort asks you to provide your expected arrival time. The minimum age for checking in is 18. A refundable damage deposit is collected in cash on arrival and returned in cash at check-out after the room has been inspected.

WiFi is free throughout the hotel. Daily housekeeping, laundry, ironing, luggage storage, private or express check-in and check-out, a 24-hour reception and facilities for disabled guests are all available. Children of any age are welcome; children aged 12 and over are treated as adults, and cots depend on the accommodation selected. There are no extra beds, so check the sleeping arrangement carefully if more than two people are travelling. Pets are not allowed, and outside food and drink cannot be brought into the hotel.

The hotel is certified Green Key. Its sustainability work includes participation in the American Digital Schools Environmental Initiative, with biodegradable bags and car rubbish bags distributed in cooperation with Jordan's Ministry of Environment.

The resort also takes part in Earth Hour by switching off the lights. It is a modest, concrete set of measures rather than a reason to pack a second pair of eco-friendly flip-flops, but it gives you something specific to consider when choosing a base beside the Red Sea.