tent Arenal

My family stayed here whilst I was receiving care at the Son Espases hospital. The reason for booking this hotel was that it is so cheap for all inclusive! However you can see the corners which have been cut at every angle.

The decor when you first walk in is fabulous, but as you exit reception everything is more dated. Despite the beds feeling hard, my partner reports sleeping well enough in them. My family report stale smell of cigarettes maybe soaked up by the flooring. The air conditioning taking a prolonged period of time to start working.

They reported the first night of all inclusive there wasn't much variety, minimal, if any choices of meat. The second night not even fries. The breakfast provides no preserves apart from butter. And no variety at all for kids. There's also a limit to alcoholic drinks, 3 per meal time. And in the entertainment bar you can only buy alcoholic drinks.

Wasn't so much a problem for our family, they just wanted somewhere to rest there heads and have breakfast and tea whilst visiting me through the day in hospital and for £40pp per night it was good for them. Not somewhere to holiday though.

So my wife and I stayed here, from the 29th September 2024 to Friday 4th October 2024.
Whilst the hotel was ok, the services associated with it, were not.
The room we stayed in, did not have a fridge, but there was space for one. This would have been ideal, to keep any drinks we bought, chilled. There was no kettle within the room to make that all important morning cuppa. So it was a good job, that we took our own travel kettle. There was a small TV within the room, which at first did not seem to work, but on calling the engineer, it started working. All channels, bar one, was in Spanish and German. The CBNC channel was the only one in English.
The air conditioning within the room, was not really working very well. There was cold air coming from it, but not enough to keep the room cool. This room had a balcony, with 2 chairs and a small table. I so love a room with a balcony. But the view from it, was the back part of the hotel, and some residential blocks. Hotel is located near to residential apartments.
Unfortunately the food service, was not upto par. At lunch and dinner, there was not much variety. With the same foods, almost appearing every day. Would have been better, to have more variety. There was one day where a dish at dinner was spaghetti bolognese. But there was no meat, just gravy!! Not good at all.
The word inclusive, is used quite loosely here. With lunch and dinner, you are allowed 3 drinks. Whether it be beer or wine. If you want spirits or cocktails, you will have to pay for them, at the downstairs bar. Which is why, I purchased a bottle of whiskey, from the local shops, much cheaper and worked out better for me!
The staff were very helpful, friendly, polite, and ready to help. Always with a smile. Whether at reception, dining room, or the staff, cleaning the rooms.
From this hotel, the beach front is about a 10 min walk. Good array of shops, bars, restaurants dotted along the beach front.
We ate lunch twice, outside, the food was absolutely delicious!
The hotel was well organised and kept clean.
The weather during our stay, was brilliant. Sunny and very warm. On some days, reaching 28°c!! Lovely!
Would I come back here? I would if the hotel improved their amenities and food selection. Once bitten, twice shy!