Paseo Central s/n, Urb Playa Serena, Roquetas de Mar, Spain | (888) 635-3814
Large outdoor pools, lounge area, sun terraces, and indoor pool
Simple, spacious rooms with kitchens and private balconies
Pretty location near the beach that's within walking distance of restaurants and bars
Poolside bar and restaurant with buffet on-site
Small fitness has a sauna
Kid-friendly amenities include a game room and children's pool
Charge for Wi-Fi
Rooms by the pool can get noisy
Decor and furnishings are uninspired
Minimum stay requirements during peak season
The 210-room Arena Center is a bright, mid-level beach resort that's similar to others in the area. The beach, restaurants, shopping, and a golf course are all within easy walking distance. The spacious rooms are simple and no frills, but they do include balconies, small kitchens, and sofa beds. There is a giant outdoor pool (and separate kid's pool), indoor pool, sauna, fitness center, and a buffet restaurant. Beware that rooms by the pool can get noisy and there's a pesky fee for Wi-Fi. Minimum stays are also enforced during the peak season.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Simple, mid-level beach resort attracts families and couples
The Hotel Arena Center opened in 2002 in a large, nondescript but modern concrete building. It’s a typical beach hot spot, bustling with couples, families, and children having fun in the sun during peak vacation season. The pool can get crowded, so guests who want to claim a spot should head out early. Dusty pink hallways are perked up with big, wide windows and colorful plantings of palm trees and other tropical plants. The lobby is open and spacious, with shiny tile floors, more palm trees, and wicker chairs and sofas. It’s a simple, clean, bright, and comfy space (although a bit dated), with plenty of sunlight streaming through a wall of windows. The restaurant echoes this beachy, simple feel, with more wicker and a sleek, gray bar.
Location
Among resorts and homes, near the ocean
This beach hotel is located on the wide Paseo Central, a quick two-minute walk from the ocean. A gate leads from the back of the property to the street; the beach is just beyond. Plentiful boutiques, cafés, small bars, and restaurants are within a five-minute walk, as is a lovely golf course, and a big grocery store is steps away. The neighborhood is definitely a tourist hot spot for beach goers. The nearby area is home to many private residences, and the center of Roquetas de Mar is about three miles from the hotel.
Rooms
Rooms are generic but huge, with kitchens, balconies, and sofa beds.
The hotel offers studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments, all of which are quite spacious and include private terraces. Even the studios are equipped with kitchens (with small fridge, burners, plates, pots, and more), two beds, and a sofa bed. The air-conditioning works well but rooms overlooking the pool can get noisy. Guests seeking quiet should ask for a room overlooking the sea or the mellow road. Toiletries are limited and Wi-Fi comes with a fee. The décor is pretty lackluster with generic, dorm-like furniture and scratchy towels. Many beds feature two smaller mattresses pushed together.
Features
A buffet, pools, hot tub, sauna, and fitness center are simple but useful
The list of amenities here is long: there is a buffet restaurant with an abundance of offerings, and a lounge bar and pool bar for sun-drenched imbibing. The hotel has two palm tree-flanked outdoor pools, one with a hot tub, and one for kids (there are slides, too); both are surrounded by sun terraces with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Space to relax poolside is generous. There is also an indoor heated pool, a sauna, a game room with an air hockey table, and a small, bare-bones, but serviceable fitness center. Wi-Fi comes with a charge. There is a bicycle-hire service for those looking to explore the area on two wheels.
