Arena Beach Hotel

The hotel is a memorable destination, primarily due to its prime beachfront location on Maafushi Island, offering stunning sea views and direct access to the bikini beach. It is an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic and peaceful getaway, families looking for engaging activities, and adventure seekers interested in water sports and excursions. Guests consistently highlight the attentive staff and the wide array of excursions offered as significant advantages. To enhance your stay, consider booking a sea-view room for breathtaking vistas and take full advantage of the hotel's organized tours for a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Facilities & Amenities
Many guests appreciate the hotel's rooftop infinity pool, which offers breathtaking ocean views, providing a serene spot for relaxation and stunning photo opportunities. The hotel also features two unit pools and a common terrace with incredible ocean views, especially beneficial for rooms without private balconies. While free Wi-Fi is available, some guests note that the internet connection can be slow or lose signal, particularly at the beach. The presence of ice machines and vending machines adds to guest convenience. However, a recurring comment is that there is often only one elevator serving multiple floors, which can lead to waiting times, especially during peak hours.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room comfort is generally positive, with many describing rooms as modern, spacious, and well-kept, often featuring stunning sea views from balconies. The beds are frequently noted as comfortable, contributing to a restful night's sleep. However, there is mixed feedback regarding cleanliness; while some guests praise housekeeping for keeping rooms tidy, others report issues such as wet bedding, debris on floors, and occasional unpleasant smells. A recurring concern is the air conditioning, which some guests found to be insufficiently powerful for the room size, leading to rooms being uncomfortably warm, and in some cases, leaking. Noise levels from nearby construction or restaurants are also mentioned by a few guests, particularly for lower-floor rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's restaurant, often located right on the beach, receives varied feedback regarding its dining experience. Many guests describe the food as tasty and delicious, with a good variety of options, including local, Asian, and Indian cuisine. The buffet spread for both breakfast and dinner is mentioned, though some guests found the breakfast to be repetitive or below average, with issues like dry sausages and room temperature yogurt. A significant concern raised by several guests is the presence of flies in the buffet area, which detracted from the dining experience. While some found the food to be spicy, others appreciated the local flavors. Service at the restaurant is generally praised, with staff being attentive.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location directly on Maafushi Island's bikini beach, offering incredible views and immediate access to the sea. This prime beachfront position is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, making it easy for guests to enjoy the beach and various water activities. The hotel is also conveniently situated near other restaurants and shops, allowing guests to explore the local area easily. While the island itself is small and walkable, some guests note that the beach entrance can have sharp corals, recommending the use of beach shoes. Transfers from the airport are typically arranged by speedboat, and the hotel often assists with buggy transport upon arrival on the island, ensuring a smooth transition for guests.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel receive widespread praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests, provide local tips, and ensure a seamless stay. The check-in process is generally described as smooth and efficient. Specific mentions include attentive service in the restaurant and during excursions. However, some guests reported uninformed staff or poor customer service from local receptionists, leading to delays in resolving issues like air conditioning problems or room cleaning requests. Despite these isolated concerns, the overall sentiment is that the staff are a significant asset, contributing positively to the guest experience.

Additional Information
The hotel is highly regarded for its extensive range of water sports and excursions, which are often described as well-organized and competitively priced, offering unique experiences like dolphin and turtle viewing, shark bay tours, and sunset fishing where guests' catch can be cooked for dinner. Many guests appreciate the hotel's private beach access and the availability of sunbeds and sun shades. The hotel also offers transportation booking services, including speedboat transfers. Some guests note the presence of cats roaming the property, adding a unique charm. It's important to note that, in accordance with local regulations, alcohol is not served at the hotel.