GHL Arsenal Hotel

The location in the Walled City was hard to beat. It’s a six-minute walk from the clock tower, with great restaurants on the same street. Uber's will pick you up at the front door, or the hotel can call one and says it’ll arrive within five minutes. What made the stay special was how attentive the staff were. They learned our names and room, checked in often, and made sure we had what we needed. Pomponio and Luis Alfonso deserve a special mention for checking on us, sorting out any issues, and always greeting us with a big smile. The doorman was great too, making sure we never had to touch the door on our way in or out. Breakfast is included and delicious. You can order from a menu with mini waffles, which are great with chocolate drizzle, avocado toast with fried egg and tomato, and other choices. There’s also a buffet that changes daily, with fruit, ham and cheeses, potatoes, sausage, cereal, yogurts, and more. It was nice not having to hunt for breakfast first thing in the morning. The pool is incredible, and the view makes for amazing pictures. There’s food at the pool bar, including a caramel brownie sundae you have to try. I didn’t use the fitness center, but my mom did and said it was great. This is truly one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed in across 24 countries. My boyfriend said the attentive service reminded him of being on a Disney Cruise.

The staff were wonderful, welcoming, and made the service feel personal. Thanks to Harold and Alfonso for that. But the hotel’s best days seem to be behind it, and it needs reinventing soon. The pool has a nice view, but looked terrible. The water wasn’t clear, there was a lot of discoloration, and I didn’t go in. Birds, including vultures, hung around using it as a bird bath, drinking fountain, and toilet. Breakfast was basic at best, and the gym was in such poor shape that you’ll be disappointed if that’s why you booked. The rooms were nice, but small things didn’t work: all the taps leaked, and the AC wasn’t working properly even though it was set to 18 degrees Celsius.

We’d definitely stay here again. From check-in through checkout, the service was excellent, and the staff were attentive and made us feel welcome. The location was perfect for getting around on foot. We had a minor problem with the shower, and maintenance fixed it right away. When our portable charger broke the night before our flight, Alfonso went above and beyond, helping us late at night and explaining where we could buy a replacement at that hour. We highly recommend the hotel!

The rooftop pool has a bar and a great view, and the staff were great and super helpful. The rooms are nice, though not big. It’s a strategic spot for tourists, between the old city and getsemany, in a chill area. Great hotel.