Arena Hotel

Bim, the manager, is lovely and welcoming, and can help with better rates if you’re staying a bit longer. The rooms are clean, quiet and spacious, with a fridge, kettle, tea and coffee. There’s a paid buffet-style breakfast too. Everyone on staff was kind and courteous, and I felt safe leaving my things in the room without any issues. It’s convenient if you’re watching your budget: there’s a petrol station across the road for snacks, and Woolworths and Coles are about a five-minute walk away. This is a hidden gem if you want comfort, a good night’s sleep and great value without staying in a backpacker. Highly recommend.

The Arena Hotel was clean, well kept and thoughtfully designed, but the staff are what made my stay memorable. At the front desk, in housekeeping and in dining, everyone was attentive and ready to help. My interactions were friendly and professional, especially with Bim. From the moment I arrived, the team went out of their way to make me comfortable and welcome. I’d highly recommend Arena Hotel for a warm, easy and enjoyable stay, and I’ll definitely return.

I called the hotel on the night of Friday, 28th Nov to ask about room availability, and the phone service alone put me off staying. The staff member was incredibly rude, with no courtesy or interest in helping a potential guest. When I politely asked why I had to give my credit card CVC over the phone, since it’s sensitive information, she didn’t explain. She snapped, “It’s our policy. If you don’t like it, go to another hotel.” I was shocked by how hostile and dismissive she was when I’d been polite. That level of customer service is unacceptable. If this is how they treat people before arrival, I can’t imagine what a stay would be like. I’d warn anyone considering this place to think twice. After that call, I have no idea how the hotel has positive reviews, and it makes me question how genuine they are.

The location has always been convenient, but I don’t like the new owners. I’d stayed here under the previous owners, and this visit was disappointing. They called in the morning and left a message saying they’d cancel my booking if I didn’t pay within an hour. I’ve always paid at the hotel, and I saw other people doing that when I arrived. Then they claimed they couldn’t find my booking until I said I’d paid that morning and showed proof. They tried to say it was under another name, but I saw my own name on the paperwork. I also noticed they were charging people $300 a night, while I’d booked months earlier for just over $100. With Metallica playing, I now think they realised they could get more money and tried to pretend I had no booking so I’d have to book at a higher rate. None of it made sense. There were no extra blankets or pillows anymore, no hair dryer, just the bare minimum.