We have recently returned from a week at the La Arena and i did read reviews prior to going but some reviews are in our opinion not fair so we have decided to grade ours as ex hotel managers.1.. if you arrive in the evening there is one receptionist that quite honestly should not work in customer service but dont panic the rest of the reception staff are fabulous and very helpful.2..the hotel is quite grand and the rooms are of a high quality.3..the public areas also are very good and in particular the pool area is spacious and no problem finding a sunbed.4..as with many tourist hotels the evening entertainment can and is a little "hit and miss" hit being the beatles tribute band.5..FOOD which always appears to arouse many comments so here goes,breakfast, the range is excellent but can at certain times can be cool but go to the grill and get a fesh omlette same goes for lunch and dinner but really there is no problem with food but try and go at non peak times. 5..The rep for first choice (emma)is the best that we have experienced but talk to her and not SHOUT and she is very helpful.6..Bar again there are certain members of staff that for some reason seem to have a problem with smiling but at the end of the day try a little spanish and as this hotel seems to have a vast majority of all inclusive try a little TIP for appreciation.Quiet resort but very nice so go and enjoy as good value for money.

This being our 3rd visit to this hotel we were looking forward to our trip despite the ownership having been changed in 2011 from Spring Hoteles to BeLive. Sadly we were disappointed. Whilst the hotel itself is still stunningly beautiful with superb gardens and flower hung balconies and a lovely atrium complete with hanging plants and fountains, spotlessly clean and well maintained the level of service has dropped dramatically. The hotel is now mainly all-inclusive so no waiting staff, no Maitre D' or words of greeting from anyone, in fact staff are more interested in carrying on their own conversation than serving and dealing with guests. It is very impersonal and the queues for drinks at the bar and coffees in the restaurant are unavoidable unless you are a very early riser. There are many nationalities with UK visitors dramatically reduced. Some visitors in large groups including children who shall we say do as they please with neither parents or staff to reprimand them. The entertainment is as you find at most hotels Flamenco Show, Acrobats, Parrot Show, Tribute Night etc with the seating in the Entertainment room being very dated and uncomfortable so after two visits we took to having a drink in the bar where the piano was playing and retiring up to our room which was very quiet and peaceful. The quality and variety of food is not as good as it once was and frequently less hot than we would like. If you want a beautifully located hotel and some winter sunshine it is still probably worth a visit but not if you have fond memories of how it once was. It is a shame as with suitable training and a more effort on the part of the staff it would be much better.

we have just returned from a week at this hotel,we cannot fault the cleanliness position food at this hotel.Very happy with the choice and would recommend

My wife and I stayed at this hotel in November 2011 for two weeks and having travelled the world staying in 4 or 5star hotels we found little wrong with this hotel. Reading some of the bad reports on Trip Advisor I now find it hard to believe the persons stayed at the same hotel. Of course it is not perfect but overall we found the location, accomodation, food, bars, facilities, and staff very acceptable. People moan about queuing for drinks, so what, don't we do that in the UK. Didn't you find it the fairest way to get everyone served quickly and with minimum of fuss. Of course there are the odd arrogant sorts who think they are above standing in a queue but fair play to the staff they soon sorted them out and reminded them there was a queue. Maybe they could do table service in the evening. Room was great and well maintained. I know from experience it is very difficult to make the food not a bit 'SAMEY' after you have had a week of it on All-Inclusive, but we were pleasantly surprised. Still nice to get home after 2 weeks to your own food though. Most of the staff were very polite and helpful, with some being quite entertaining. Piano bar in the evening was restful, with fine music, and some of the shows we attended were quite entertaining. Evening time was also good for a stroll down into the village past the bars and restaurants. The resort has a fine beach over the road from the hotel which although black sand was clean and well managed. Lifts in the hotel were plentiful and the ones from the back gate to the hotel were a life saver. In all we would and will go back as it is a nice place to while away a couple of weeks out of the UK cold and damp.