We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Lisa G
Bolivia

Keep you expensive items locked up. Electronics, money, jewlery, etc.

Review of Hotel Arenal
2.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed 18 Jul 2015
I'm sure in it's day it was a beautiful Hotel. Rooms are huge and nice furniture, but in need of updating. It was a nice spacious room, with living room and table with chairs, all leather.The plumbing leaks everywhere, in the bathroom. I'd advise wearing shoes going in there, unless you like wet socks. Wifi is weak and will lose connection quite quickly. We booked this room with credit card reward points, done through our Bank. I had not read any reviews until after it was booked and day before our arrival. I was worried after reading the reviews, what we were getting in to. It wasn't as bad as many people had made out though. Our check-in went smoothly, and lady at the front desk spoke English. The Breakfast Buffet could be better, a lot of bread items, little amounts of fruit, good juice selection and great coffee. The room faced a busy street, so was loud. They need some type of plug in heaters, it was very cold during our stay and we could see our breath in the room. Had to wear thermal long underwear and 4 long sleeve shirts and heavy jackets, plus shoes and socks while in our room. We ate in the Restaurant a few times and purchased many coffee's to stay warm, every time we were over charged more than the bill should of been. Simple math off of the Menu confirmed that. Even ordering 2 coffee we were charged extra money. For the 3 nights we were there, the cleaning staff came in twice. Both times we arrived back to our room, our door was left unlocked, after we had locked it leaving the room to go out for the day. For that reason alone I would not recommend this Hotel. The last night we were there, went out at 6 for dinner, no cleaning staff had shown up through the day. Come back to a unlocked door and they re-did an already made bed that I did, left 2 towels, but didn't empty the toilet paper basket in the bathroom. The staff we dealt with were friendly enough. But to me leaving room doors unlocked with peoples passports and other expensive items, is not good.
Date of stay: July 2015
Room Tip: If you go here get a room on a higher level, or a room that doesn't face the busy street
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
2.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
Problem with this review?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nearby Hotels
  • Official Site
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 345
  • Hotels.com
1.1 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Hotels.com
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 535
  • Booking.com
0.8 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Pool
  • Hotels.com
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 304
  • Booking.com
1.8 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Airport transportation
  • Hotels.com
  • Hampton
    RM 338
  • Booking.com
2.8 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Official Website
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 486
  • Hotels.com
3.3 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
Go to your Happy Price
  • Booking.com
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 212
  • eDreams
2.5 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • Marriott Hotels
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 409
  • Hotels.com
3.1 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
Lovely
  • Hotels.com
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 490
  • Official Site
1.5 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
  • travelup.com
  • ZenHotels.com
    RM 313
  • eDreams
5.0 km from Hotel Arenal
Free Wifi
Free parking
View more hotels in Santa Cruz
Reviews (80)
Filter reviews
80 results
Traveller rating
11
13
12
20
24
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
More languages
Traveller rating
11
13
12
20
24
See what travellers are saying:
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
11 - 16 of 80 reviews
Reviewed 17 July 2015

The hotel when we arrived had two English speaking people at the front desk,we had to carry our luggage to the working elevators and then to our room.The room was very clean as was the washroom and it is set up in a very relaxing design with couches and a table in a sitting area,it has a stocked fridge a large screen T.V.
It is an older semi rundown hotel but compared to some places we have styed it is a nice room.Now for breakfast I have had so much better for a lot less,I was not impressed at all with the food the eating area is nice but the food ,some fruit some bread one choice of flaked cereal it has a toaster two choices of juice and that's about it.
Big side note * Wear your thermal underwear there is no heating in the hotel it is cold !
When we were here the weather sucked ,just rain no sun so we did not get to take advantage of the swimming pool and it to is cold water.The only hot wat is in the shower or the outdated jetted bathtub ( Working ).They have a Computer room /smoking and sitting room although the computers were not working.For the most part the staff were friendly but the woman on the second day was very rude by talking on the phone with a friend instead of helping the paying customer until she felt like it.The hotel does have WIFi in the room we stayed in but the signal is weak as well in most parts it was weak.

Room tip: It is a city center hotel so the traffic is loud in the morning so maybe get a room to the back of the building
Date of stay: July 2015
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
Thank Steve B
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 6 March 2015

you have insects running in the things of the breakfast the personnal clean the table with the same brush they clean the ground if you want something there is no more they say you that the clients eat before you and there is no possibility to hav but you have paid for

Date of stay: October 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled with family
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank george3321
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 14 January 2015

This hotel was a really disappointment for the promising stars. The building would need a renovation! The room is spacy but dirty. Bathroom even worse, as the shower-knobs would almost fall off. The pool was notmto use as really dirty. Breakfast was average.
Too expensive for what you get, would never go back!

Room tip: Dont visit the hotel
Date of stay: September 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Location
    • Rooms
    • Service
1  Thank Swissdsign
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 December 2014

I have been doing lots of booking but this hotel is the worst when it comes to charging for booking online. I made an online booking for which they wanted to charge me twice. I suggest to anyone to really Be Careful Giving
Your credit card info to this hotel.Specially if u make you use Booking.com, their customer service will leave you on your own.

Date of stay: September 2014
    • Value
    • Location
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
1  Thank JAzurduy
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 25 July 2014 via mobile

We stayed here with a group of friends and family for 4 nights. The rooms and bedding are horribly outdated. Bathroom had cracks in the tiles, and rusty shower bar. Service staff is very rude, and not very helpful or accommodating. The only good thing i can write about this hotel is that it is within walking distance to the plaza.

Date of stay: July 2014
2  Thank Preciosa1976
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
View more reviews