It’s been a killer week. Apart from the usual busy working pressures, I’ve got real estate agents trying to sell my house and my elderly mother has had a fall that ended in hospital. At least the kids are behaving. “I need a holiday!” I wail to anyone who’ll listen.

Ah… a holiday. But what kind of holiday? For me, right now, the only kind that will cure my woes is one where I can escape the ringing phone, the demands of email and the pressures of deadlines. I need a resort. Palm trees around a lagoon or a shady swimming pool in the tropics sound really good, or somewhere to curl up with a book or laze in a hammock just enjoying the view.

That might be my resort dream — at least for today — but if I could tap into my colleagues’ daydreams, the likelihood would be that everyone has their own idea of what makes a great resort holiday. The similarities might only be that it’s fun, it’s indulgent and it involves doing very little at all (unless you feel like it).

Depending on what time of year it is or how far you want to travel, a break can mean anything from a tropical getaway to a more active holiday — say, skiing, diving or golfing. So here are a few ideas for different styles of resorts that might just bring you back revived, invigorated and ready to tackle the world again.

Island resorts

Whether you head to Queensland, Tahiti, the Caribbean or Hawaii, an island escape is ideal for getting away from it all. Laze around the pool, relax on the beach, go for walks, explore the shops or just catch up on the latest novels. The position of some islands can mean they have no mobile phone reception or internet access — something that’s often asked about by the partners of corporate high-fliers who want to get their significant other away from the clutches of the office. Island resorts usually offer some kind of boating adventure, such as sailing on a private yacht to beautiful local spot.

Family resorts

Kids usually love a resort holiday because there’s so much for them to do. Parents love them because they offer the ability to spend family time together having fun, but also usually have special activities for the children that give parents quality time alone. The range of activities can be huge, from archery and art classes to supervised snorkelling and bushwalks. Check special deals for kids, as many Australian resorts throw in extras such as meals for young guests.

Adventure resorts

Fancy a half day’s kayaking or white-water rafting, abseiling or canyoning? For those who are looking for a holiday with a challenge, some resorts offer the chance to try activities you may have never had the time or the opportunity to attempt before. With instruction and supervision, these kinds of experiences can prove unforgettable and introduce you to new skills and perhaps an ongoing hobby or interest.