We visited the hotel Arena center in early July. We spent two beautiful weeks. Comfortable studio on the fifth floor with a nice pool view. Very convenient surmarket close. Beach, bus stops and bars nearby. This beautiful part is exhausted.
About the hotel is not responsible for the four stars - air-condition run only a few hours a day, started at 19.30 .The gym include only 2 unit. Animation only for Spanish people from 5-10 years old. Full bore for foreigners. For two weeks we havent seen to wash lounges and pool area, disgusting toilets. Never again

Stayed last week of August, first week of September, Halfboard.
This is the 2nd year that we have stayed at the Arena Center, and the 7th year that we have come back to Roquetas.
On arrival, our room was not ready, but this happened last year, so we travelled prepared in clothes that were adaptable on arrival (¾ shorts and a light shirt). The reception staff were very helpful and stored our cases, and told us they would let us know when our room was ready. So we sat poolside with a beer and let our holiday begin.
The room was large and air conditioned, with a small kitchenette (hob & full size fridge), large bathroom with shower over bath and superb bedroom with 2 ¾ beds and sofa bed. We were on the second floor which from the balcony gave a view over a park / pathway which runs the length of strip. Last year stayed in ground floor apartment which meant you had more room on the grassed area but looked in to the bushes that surround the hotel. The rooms are cleaned daily and the maids are the best I have known in any hotel.
From the rear exit of the hotel, you are 2 minutes away from a well stocked and friendly supermarket, which stocks just about everything you need.
We don’t tend to eat in the hotel much, had breakfast some mornings which consisted of enough to suit most (cereals, toast & breads, cold meats & cheese, fruit, yogurts, and cooked breakfasts.) as much coffee and fruit juices as you wanted. The evening meal, when we had it in the hotel, had a wide variety of meats, fish, pasta and rice and served from 7-30 until 10-30, we just don’t eat that early when on holiday, so on odd occasion called in before we set off out for the night.
There is a great tapas bar opposite the tabac, under the Bahia Serena “Bar Tapas Cullar” which was cheap and served great food. Ayda is a good restaurant with very large portions, so beware we generally had a pizza to share.
We spent many a night in Café Bar Scotia, just watching the world pass by, Jesús & Roberto are great waiters and always remember us when we return, year upon year.
Back to the hotel:- Poolside is well kept with a lifeguard who keeps everybody in check, we did see him removing towels from sun beds that were left as people passed through for breakfast. The pool area is well kept, with loads of sun beds. We did not join in the animation / games but that’s just us.
At night there is entertainment that is geared for the Spanish but this is Spain, and this is where they choose to holiday. Go to Blackpool or Benidorm if you want English entertainment. To round it up this is a great hotel learn a little Spanish before you travel (hello, good morning, yes, thank you, beer) if you try, the locals respect you more than those who just point and shout.

We arrived at the Arena Center and were very pleased with the level of service, accomodation and the hotel as a whole. We were less impressed with the area as we were sold by The Cooperative the "real traditional Spain with cobbled streets and culture" however this was a purpose built town built in 1963 with no cobbles or culture in sight...basically concrete in the majority of areas. The apartments were second to none very spacious and kepy spotlessly clean, the only downside was the noise. We enjoyed this at the beginning as we thought it started at 5 and lasted until 12...we were wrong, the same 16 songs were played constantly from 10am until 12.30 am and sometimes later. The entertainments manager only entertained the Spanish with salsa lessons and very much liked the sound of his own voice. We don't mind lively entertainment but when you have this every day, all day, for 2 weeks it gets a little bit tiring! We would have liked to have seen some traditional entertainment offered, even the parrot show was amazing at the side of his offerings. This aside the hotel was great, the staff on the whole were polite and friendly and we had a lovely stay. (just a shame about the so called entertainment)
The tapas bars were second to none especially the Cullar opposite the supermarket where 5 of you could eat and drink all night for 25 euros which was fantastic, Tony the host was also great! The beach was lovely and clean but was very busy at times, also take care of the main fish restaurant placed on the sand itself as the food was mediocre and very very expensive! A lovely time had but were unable to relax totally.

We stayed in late June in a studio. It was just the job - spotless, good sized balcony and a full size clothes airer (which impressed the wife). The kitchenette was perfect for making a brew and a snack. The fridge was big enough for all our drinks & snacks bought from the very well-stocked supermarket.The hotel is good value and good fun. It was great to mix and mingle with Spanish people on their hols. They don't seem to expect someone else to look after their children. We watched them play all day in and around the pool and all eveing by the little stage. The music stopped at midnight and that's when we went to bed (sometimes). There were a 'few' late nights in Marcos bar tucked away just off the main street - out of the hotel back door, up past the supermarket and turn right. Marco was doing 2 for 1 on the drinks.
Acorss the road from Marco's are two good tapas bars - the Cullar and the Salsa & Sabor (if you want a bit of a bop to live S.American music.) Roquetas resort is full of bars, cafes, restaurants doing all sorts of food. There's even an Indian curry place that does tapas. The going rate for a drink & a tapa was about 2 euras - very reasonable.
Dawn, the Thomas Cook rep at the hotel was great. She gave us excellent advice and info on where to go for good deals,shops, tours, etc..
The food in the hotel was perfectly acceptable (we were half-board). It does get a bit 'samey' after a fortnight but that's no big deal. The reception staff spoke good English and were always helpful. Room was cleaned regularly and linen/towels changed when required.
The weather was superb, the sea was brilliant and the beaches almost empty. Strolling along the prom was marvellous (there's 12 miles of it). No shortage of watering holes for refreshments plus the little bar-cafes, the chiringuitos.
The hotel pool is a good size and it gets the sun all day. People bagsying sun loungers only went on for a day or so befrore the attendant carted them all - great stuff.
We will return to Roquetas, a great place to practice our Spanish - you've got to try.
Give this place a go for an "un-Btits abroad" holiday - it's first class.