Arena Mar****

The beach nearby is lovely, and the location is the one good thing about this hotel. There's no hotel section on the beach, so you pay for sunbeds and an umbrella, though it's relatively cheap. The rooms were dirty, especially the bathroom. Breakfast was included for us, but the food was poor quality and the dining area was filthy. It looked gross, and I had to hunt for the few things that seemed safe to eat. Staff weren't very friendly. The pool and sunbeds were crowded, with no free beds after 7am because people had reserved several with towels.

Our stay was amazing, though personal reasons meant we had to cut the vacation short. The rooms were genuinely cleaned every day, beyond just towel changes. Food was excellent, with lots of choices, and there were so many drinks we couldn't try them all. There was live music or a show each night. Some staff were friendly, some weren't. One of the best places I've stayed.

The walk to the beach takes five minutes, though there are steep stairs on the way. Taking the main road avoids them but takes twice as long. We were on the fourth floor and could hear some music from nearby clubs, but it wasn't loud enough to bother us. The suite had two bathrooms, and our apartment was clean enough, with towels changed daily, despite complaints I'd seen about that. Food was tasty and plentiful even if you arrived late. Parking costs 20 lv per day and isn't included. Drinks could be better.

I used to think this hotel was bad, but somehow it got nicer. I still wonder how they dispose of the food. The location near the beaches and the range of dishes make it seem worth four stars. The hotel itself is nice, the elevator works, every room has a balcony, and it was beautifully clean. In my room, the shower had no wall to keep water in and the drain barely worked. The bathroom initially smelled of sewage, though the smell slowly faded. I didn't mind these flaws much. Most, or perhaps half, of the staff don't speak English, and the language barrier meant my booked back massage wasn't firm enough. Staff behaved okay-ish. Some dishes were great, others weren't worth trying, like gambling with food. I suspect they encourage food waste, since they throw away leftovers from my plate when I'm full. I also felt uncomfortable when I thought staff were swearing at us for eating last, though I understand their impatience. The gym by the spa was smaller and less varied than I expected, but I'm still grateful.