Serena Beach Resort & Spa

​Vegetation screens the hotel's frontage (apparently a traditional custom), so it's only on entering that you see its spread – the pool, dining areas and, though an archway, the crystalline beach. There are dozens of cool spaces for relaxing – a thatched poolside lapa, palm-shaded lawns, a sparkling pool, or the umbrella-shaded courtyard restaurant. The indoor spaces are also cool and breezy, with several restaurants, from fine-dining to pizza parlours and the Arabian dhow-themed Jahazi Restaurant (exceptional seafood dishes!).

With 164 rooms and suites, Serena offers accommodation for most pockets. Village Sea Rooms are steps from the ocean and have either upstairs or ground-floor terraces. Garden Rooms are more spacious, also with private terraces. Superior Rooms and Sea-View Superior Rooms are even more spacious; Suites offer the ultimate in luxury. Family rooms sleep four in two rooms, each with en-suite bathrooms. All rooms have pretty views, balconies, en-suite facilities with walk-in showers, wi-fi, aircon and all the modern frills.

With abundant space and choice of to-dos, Serena's guests often remain within the resort grounds for the duration of their stay. A bountiful breakfast buffet is followed by a buffet offering other temptations – the many activities. Try paddleboarding, windsurfing, a catamaran tour, fishing, water aerobics, snorkelling, or diving (you can even get PADI-certified here). Sunbathing and dips in the pool are popular. Fancy a spa treatment? Have one early on during your stay, as second visits are much sought-after.