Arena Beach Hotel in Maafushi Island
✅ Staff described as extremely friendly, kind, and helpful with many compliments on their professionalism ✅ Rooms are generally clean and comfortable with daily housekeeping and sea views from balconies praised ✅ Good location directly on the beach with free sun loungers and umbrellas ✅ Affordable pricing especially attractive for families needing multiple sea view rooms ✅ Several guests highlighted well-organized excursions and attentive tour staff ✅ Two outdoor pools and a beachfront restaurant with international cuisine available ❌ Several guests reported persistent unpleasant odors in bathrooms despite cleaning efforts ❌ Noise issues from air conditioning compressors and ongoing construction disturbed some guests ❌ Room key policy with only one key per room caused inconvenience for families ❌ Excursion offerings described as sometimes misleading and at times poorly communicated with hidden fees ❌ Limited soundproofing impacting sleep quality ❌ Food quality and buffet options received mixed reviews, with some describing meals as mediocre
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Description
Arena Beach Hotel, built in 2014 and renovated in 2024, is a four-star property located on Maafushi Island in the Maldives. The hotel comprises four 12-story buildings with 50 rooms total, featuring a range of room types including sea and island view options with balconies. Guests can enjoy two outdoor pools, a beachfront location just 50 meters from a public sandy beach, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The on-site main restaurant, Coco Grill, serves international cuisine from 7:00 to 22:00. The hotel offers a variety of paid water sports like snorkeling, diving, and kite surfing, as well as free activities such as disco and live music. Though alcohol is not available on the island due to local religious customs, a nearby floating bar and restaurant with alcohol can be reached by a free 2-minute boat ride. The staff is frequently praised for friendliness and helpfulness, though some reviews mention noise issues and occasional service coordination challenges. This hotel balances budget-friendly pricing with a location close to Bikini Beach, the designated area for swimming in bikinis.
Location
Arena Beach Hotel is situated on Maafushi Island in the South Malé Atoll, approximately 29 kilometers from Malé International Airport (MLE). The hotel stands directly on the beachfront, with a public sandy beach only 50 meters away, allowing easy access to the sea. Nearby is Bikini Beach, the only beach on the island where guests can swim and sunbathe in bikinis, respecting local customs. The hotel is part of a local island community with a 100% Islamic population and no alcohol served on site. For alcoholic beverages, guests can take a complimentary 2-minute boat transfer to the nearby floating bar and restaurant Kaani Princess. The location offers a good balance of proximity to airport transfers and access to local island life.
Tips
- Book sea view rooms with balconies for the best experience and views.
- Request interconnecting rooms well in advance, as room arrangements have sometimes been problematic.
- Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to noise due to occasional construction and air conditioning sounds.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: For all room types, cribs can be added, but extra beds cannot be added. Fees for extra beds and cribs are not included in the total and must be paid at the hotel.
- Breakfast: Breakfast is available at the hotel. Please contact the hotel for details. Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
- Paying at the hotel: Visa, MasterCard
- Check in time: 14:00. Check out time: 12:00.
Services and facilities
- ATM
- Shopping on site
- Air conditioning
- 24-hour reception
- Smoking areas
- Currency exchange
- Smoke-free property
- Security guard
- Ticket assistance
- Gift shop
- Express check-in/check-out
- Television in lobby
- Terrace
- Private check-in/check-out
- Fire Extinguisher
- Outdoor furniture
- Non-smoking rooms
- Soundproof rooms
- Room service
- Family room
- Cable TV
- TV
- Minibar
- Hairdryer
- Locker
- Shower/Bathtub
- Shower
- Wardrobe/Closet
- Bathrobe
- Linens
- Laptop safe
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- Accessibility features
- Iron and board
- Ironing
- Luggage storage
- Laundry
- Safe-deposit box
- Concierge services
- Dry-cleaning
- Luggage storage
- Wake-up service
- Telephone
- Iron
- Bar
- Diet menu (on request)
- Breakfast
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurant (buffet style)
- Kitchen
- Packed Lunches
- Kettle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Airport transportation
- Transfer services
- Russian
- English
- Italian
- Multi-language staff
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Tour assistance
- Free bicycle rental
- Bike rental
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Billiards
- Karaoke
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Barbeque
- Sun Deck
- Free parking nearby
- Free Parking on Premises
- Swimming pool
- Beach facilities
- Water sport facilities
- Private beach
- Beach/pool towels
- Next to the beach
- Event facilities
- Fax and copy machine
- Conference Hall
- Diving
- Cycling
- Snorkelling
- Doctor
- Massage
- Spa
- First Aid Kit
- Playroom
- Babysitting and childcare
- Children's playground
- Kids' TV Networks
- Pets Not Allowed
The hotel is located on first line from the shore.
The nearest beach is located on the distance of 50 m. It takes 1 minute To the beach!
Hotel territory virtual tour
Video: Мальдивы, Маафуши, Arena Beach hotel
Map
Reviews
Each room only comes with one key card, which was quite troublesome. If one family member wanted to rest, they would constantly be disturbed by others needing the door opened, making it hard to sleep peacefully. Indoor slippers were also not provided in the Arena Veli building. On the positive side, drinking water can be refilled for free, which is environmentally friendly and cost-saving.
We also joined the half-day sea tour, but unfortunately it did not meet expectations. There were no dolphins sighted, and we were taken to only two snorkeling spots — one of which had very little to see. The crew kept asking us to take photos, which made the experience feel more commercial than enjoyable. Overall, it’s a reasonable choice if you are prioritizing budget, but there is definitely room for improvement in service arrangement and guest experience.
Firstly, we had some issues with loud motor noises coming from the air conditioning compressor. When we raised the issue to the front desk, the staff was nonchalant. When we asked to change our rooms, she offered another room with the exact same issue. Totally unhelpful. The noise was only partially resolved after 3 rounds of complaints. There’s totally no sound proofing as well, and the toilet stinks so bad - there’s probably some issues with their piping. Needless to say, we had a pretty restless trip.
Also, the dinner and breakfast buffet was mediocre and at times unappetising. You’ll find better options in other restaurants on the island.
Excursions was a total mess and a scam. The very rude Arabic guy will talk you through some sales pitch during check in, promising great drone photos and the cheapest rates. However, the package offered was quite a scam. “Dolphin watching” was included in our shark bay package, but in reality the crew only notify you during the trip itself that it’s not guaranteed, and they’ll only stop the boat if they spot a dolphin whilst transiting from place to place. Drone shots are only available at a US$15 top up, and this was not communicated at point of sale. What a scam. In addition, when we went for a resort tour, the hotel forgot to submit the name lists of the guests, resulting in longer check in times and wasting an hour of the trip.
All in all, I’ll not recommend this hotel. What was supposedly a relaxing trip has turned into disappointment and endless frustrations.
The staff were extremely kind, helpful, and always willing to assist with a smile. Their friendliness and professionalism made us feel very welcome throughout our stay. We would happily return and can highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing and pleasant holiday
We also took part in a hotel excursion (Shark Bay). It was an exciting experience that we will never forget. The excursion staff were very friendly and took great care of guests’ safety and satisfaction at every step. Definitely worth it. Greetings to Ali and the whole team!
I recently stayed at Arena Hotel, Maldives, and I can confidently say it is one of the best hotels when it comes to hospitality. From the moment we arrived till our departure, the entire experience was exceptional.
The receptionist and the whole staff were incredibly kind, humble, and polite. They truly go above and beyond to help you with anything you need. No matter what you ask for, they always respond with a warm “yes” and make sure it’s arranged for you. Their dedication to customer satisfaction is something you rarely find.
A big thank you to the management team and the CEO for their vision and hard work in creating such a fantastic hotel experience. As Indians, we really value warm hospitality — and Arena Hotel understands this perfectly. They know exactly how to make guests feel comfortable, cared for, and fully satisfied.
The hotel also has one of the best infinity pools in the Maldives, and we enjoyed it a lot! The property is beautiful, the service is top-notch, and despite all this, the rates are very reasonable — making it a great choice for Indian travelers planning a trip to the Maldives.
Thank you, Arena Hotels Maldives, for giving us such wonderful memories. Highly recommended to everyone visiting the Maldives!
But the guide for tour is not friendly.
Frequently asked questions about Arena Beach Hotel
How far is Arena Beach Hotel from Malé International Airport?
The hotel is located approximately 29 kilometers from Malé International Airport (MLE).
Are there any swimming beaches where guests can wear bikinis near Arena Beach Hotel?
Yes, Bikini Beach is the designated beach on Maafushi Island where guests may swim and sunbathe in bikinis. It is accessible from the hotel.
Does Arena Beach Hotel offer alcohol on site?
No, alcohol is not available on the hotel property or the island due to local religious customs. However, guests can reach a nearby floating bar and restaurant with alcohol by a free 2-minute boat ride.
What room types are available at Arena Beach Hotel?
Room types include Standard No window Double room; Super Deluxe Triple room with balcony and with island view; Deluxe Double room with balcony and with island view; Deluxe Double room with balcony and with sea view; Premium Double room with balcony and with sea view; Standard Deluxe Double room with balcony; Premium Super Deluxe Triple room with balcony and with sea view.
Is there free Wi-Fi available at Arena Beach Hotel?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel territory free of charge.
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Hotel prices for: July - August 2026 calendar
The average hotel price this month is 144 USD The best time to book is July 5, with rates starting from 88 USD