Arena Beach Hotel — Hotel in Maafushi Island

My recent stay at Arena Hotel in Maafushi, Maldives, was an unforgettable experience that exceeded my expectations in every way. From the stunning views to the exceptional service, the hotel provided the perfect blend of luxury and island charm, making it an ideal destination for anyone seeking a relaxing getaway in the Maldives.

Location and Atmosphere: Arena Hotel is located on Maafushi Island, a local island in the Maldives that offers a more authentic and relaxed vibe compared to the more tourist-heavy resorts. The hotel is just a short distance from the beach, and its central location makes it easy to explore the island’s local attractions, restaurants, and shops. Maafushi itself is a quaint, peaceful place, where you can immerse yourself in Maldivian culture while still enjoying the luxury of a high-end hotel.

Accommodation: The room I stayed in was spacious, beautifully decorated, and equipped with modern amenities. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the large windows provided a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The room was well-maintained and offered a peaceful retreat after a day of exploring the island. Additionally, the cleanliness and attention to detail in the room were exceptional, with housekeeping ensuring that everything was spotless throughout my stay.

Private Beach: One of the standout features of Arena Hotel is its private beach. Located just a short walk from the hotel, the beach is pristine, with soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. It’s a peaceful haven where you can unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives without the crowds often associated with larger resorts. The beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply lounging under the sun. The calm atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for relaxation, whether you're reading a book, taking a nap, or watching the sunset.

Rooftop Infinity Pool: Another highlight of the hotel is its stunning rooftop infinity pool. Overlooking the vast Indian Ocean, the pool offers breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and clear blue skies. It’s an ideal place to relax and take in the beauty of the Maldives while enjoying a refreshing swim. The pool area is well-designed with comfortable sunbeds and an inviting, tranquil atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day of island exploration, and I found myself returning to the rooftop at various times of the day to enjoy different perspectives of the incredible landscape.

Dining Experience: The food at Arena Hotel was another memorable part of my stay. The hotel offers a range of delicious local and international dishes, all prepared with fresh, high-quality ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the Maldivian specialties, which allowed me to experience the local flavors in a comfortable and stylish setting. The restaurant staff were attentive and friendly, always ensuring that I had everything I needed. The meals were consistently delicious, and the service was outstanding, with staff going above and beyond to make me feel welcome and cared for.

Service: The level of service at Arena Hotel was exceptional. The staff were always smiling, approachable, and eager to help with any request. From arranging excursions to providing local recommendations, they ensured that every aspect of my stay was seamless and enjoyable. It’s clear that the hotel places a strong emphasis on guest satisfaction, and the friendly, professional staff really made a difference in making my stay memorable.

Overall Experience: In conclusion, my stay at Arena Hotel in Maafushi was a dream come true. The combination of a private beach, rooftop infinity pool, excellent food, and top-notch service made for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, this hotel offers the perfect balance of both, all within the beautiful and serene surroundings of the Maldives. I would highly recommend Arena Hotel to anyone visiting the Maldives, and I can’t wait to return for another...

Overall the hotel was good and the staff was great. The good: We stayed in a 2 queen bedroom with view of the downstairs and ocean. The room was very spacious and the bathroom has a shower and tub. This was not the case in all rooms. The staff was excellent. Ready to help in any way, very friendly and very courteous. Special shout out to Lorenzo and Sudeep from the dining staff that went out of their way to help. There was another one as well, but I can't remember his name. :-( The food menu (buffet or a la carte) was good with a variety of food options. The fresh juices were a plus. The serving sizes were decent and the pricing was good.

The hotel is right on the beach. Walk out the door, through the dining area and there is the beach. Excellent location with quick access to the beach. Downside to beach area was there were not many lounges or shaded areas. Fortunately, during our time there it was mostly overcast days, but when the sun made itself known, some shade would have been nice. It did look like some trees had been planted, but they still need more time to mature fully to provide some addition shaded areas.

The bad: There were little roaches in our room. We made it known the first night and they sent someone up to spray and clean the room again. We tried to get a different room, but they didn't have another room like ours available. The tv in the room was small and was on one side of the room, making it hard for the person sleeping on the other side of the room to see. Would be better if they could place the tv in the center or even place a larger tv on an extending swivel to make it easier for the person on the other side to see. There was no luggage rack or anything to place luggage on. I always had to place my luggage on the bed or squat/sit on the floor to search through luggage. The room is starting to show some wear/tear. There is some water damage in the bathroom over the tub and there are cracks in the walls throughout the room. Should consider some remodeling in the near future. There were no small wash cloths to bathe with, you will have to bring your own. They provide the medium size hand towels and large dry towels. Lastly, when dining outside, which is the most space to eat, there are cats around and under the tables, hoping for scraps. If you don't like cats or allergic, this might be the place to avoid. The staff will move them if you ask, but the cat...

Worst Hotel Experience of My Life

I had clearly informed the hotel via email about my boat timing. They were supposed to pick us and our luggage from the jetty with a car. However, when we arrived, every single passenger from the boat was picked up by their respective hotels—except us. No one from Arena showed up. We were left completely stranded. After waiting 15 minutes in the rain, I had to carry all the heavy luggage myself, walk, and search for the hotel.

Upon arrival, no welcome drinks whatsoever…. I asked the receptionist for an explanation for leaving us alone and not picking up, but they showed zero concern. Absolute unprofessionalism. They didn’t even bother to get back to me with any clarification.

The so-called “premium room” was probably the worst I’ve ever stayed in. The sea view was blocked by a massive wall on the right side. To make it worse, rainwater from the entire floor drained directly into our balcony, soaking all my clothes that I had hung out to dry. On top of that, the bed was extremely uncomfortable—the mattress had a huge gap in the middle, as if two single mattresses were simply pushed together and called a double bed. Also no proper soundproof and door has huge gap. And here’s what I cannot understand: why were we specifically given this worst possible room when other premium double rooms were clearly vacant?

The TV cable didn’t work either, so I even missed the live Arsenal vs Liverpool match.

The worst part came with the payment issue. In the evening, I specifically asked one receptionist if I could settle my dues in Maldivian Rufiyaa. She said yes and even quoted the total amount in Rufiyaa. Based on her confirmation, the next morning I converted my USD into Rufiyaa and went to pay. But another receptionist suddenly told me they only accept USD. I explained that I converted my money only because I was told I could pay in Rufiyaa. Her response? A robotic “We only take USD,” over and over again, with no care for the situation. At that point, I felt completely helpless.

This was a total management disaster—utterly disorganized, careless, and lacking even basic empathy.

Surprisingly, the room service and cleaning staff were more professional. The checkout receptionist and car transfer experience was better.

All of this made me wonder: does this happen to all foreigners, or do they treat brown people like us...