The Hotel Arena Center opened in 2002 in a large, nondescript but modern concrete building. It’s a typical beach hot spot, bustling with couples, families, and children having fun in the sun during peak vacation season. The pool can get crowded, so guests who want to claim a spot should head out early. Dusty pink hallways are perked up with big, wide windows and colorful plantings of palm trees and other tropical plants. The lobby is open and spacious, with shiny tile floors, more palm trees, and wicker chairs and sofas. It’s a simple, clean, bright, and comfy space (although a bit dated), with plenty of sunlight streaming through a wall of windows. The restaurant echoes this beachy, simple feel, with more wicker and a sleek, gray bar.

This beach hotel is located on the wide Paseo Central, a quick two-minute walk from the ocean. A gate leads from the back of the property to the street; the beach is just beyond. Plentiful boutiques, cafés, small bars, and restaurants are within a five-minute walk, as is a lovely golf course, and a big grocery store is steps away. The neighborhood is definitely a tourist hot spot for beach goers. The nearby area is home to many private residences, and the center of Roquetas de Mar is about three miles from the hotel.

The hotel offers studios and one- or two-bedroom apartments, all of which are quite spacious and include private terraces. Even the studios are equipped with kitchens (with small fridge, burners, plates, pots, and more), two beds, and a sofa bed. The air-conditioning works well but rooms overlooking the pool can get noisy. Guests seeking quiet should ask for a room overlooking the sea or the mellow road. Toiletries are limited and Wi-Fi comes with a fee. The décor is pretty lackluster with generic, dorm-like furniture and scratchy towels. Many beds feature two smaller mattresses pushed together.

The list of amenities here is long: there is a buffet restaurant with an abundance of offerings, and a lounge bar and pool bar for sun-drenched imbibing. The hotel has two palm tree-flanked outdoor pools, one with a hot tub, and one for kids (there are slides, too); both are surrounded by sun terraces with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Space to relax poolside is generous. There is also an indoor heated pool, a sauna, a game room with an air hockey table, and a small, bare-bones, but serviceable fitness center. Wi-Fi comes with a charge. There is a bicycle-hire service for those looking to explore the area on two wheels.