CONS: SMALL ROOM, PARKING, SOME TOPLESS WOMEN ON BEACH, PELICANS
PROS: GREAT PRICE, GREAT STAFF, SOME TOPLESS WOMEN ON BEACH, PELICANS

The hotel and rooms were basic and very clean. The staff is very friendly. We have a timeshare in cancun that still costs us $350 a night for all inclusive food and beverages. We stayed here and saved $280 a night which we used much of for great meals in great restaurants and felt better about our savings when we left.

The room overlooked the ocean and the view was great. We could see Isla Mujeres lights at night.. The beach has no waves and that is great for families. If you prefer five star hotels at five star prices you may want to go elsewhere. If you want to have a great time on a budget you would be smart to stay here.

Most of the families were Spanish which we loved because of the international feel of the hotel, which is Mediterranean in style and feel.

Parking was a problem so we often walked outside to take a bus to the entertainment zone or the downtown restaurants, away from the hotel zone. We never waited more than two minutes for a bus which stops right at the hotel or across the street depending on where you are going.

We did not get all inclusive because we wanted to experience the local restaurants and we were delighted with that move. We actually stayed a few nights at one of those five star hotels in Playa and we preferred Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas.

So, don't be discouraged by all the negative opinions voiced here. Go with low expectations if you must and you will be more than happy with your decision to stay at the Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas.

I was a little nervous about staying here after reading some of the reviews but to my surprise those reviews were wrong. We were there Feb 28 to Mar 7th. The staff very helpful and very friendly. Our rooms was nice and clean great view,beach small but nice food was great a bit expensive. The only complaint I had was we weren't offered the all inclusive plan when we booked our vacation and buying food and drink at the hotel was very expensive. I would recomend all inclusive if you were to go there. Other than that nice clean very friendly staff we had an awesome time. Oh the make sure you get a massage while at the hotel they are wonderful Maria does a great job. We will definetly stay here again but go with the all inclusive package that is a must have.

I'll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous about staying here. I'd been to Cancun before and was happy with where I had stayed on that trip.... but I was very pleasantly suprised. This was a great trip for traveling on a budget. The hotel was super clean, the room was nice, very comfortable bed, and I loved having a balcony that overlooked the water. The food was amazing... I have some pretty dietary restrictions and was worried about what I'd eat, but I never had a problem. The buffet had a wide array of foods and the restaurant at night was amazing! This is a smaller hotel, and I liked that. I never felt crowed or overwhelmed by all the people. My only complaints would have been that check in and check out service was slow and appeared to be unorganized. Other than that, I was a little further from the main area of shops and restaurants that I would have liked, but with the buses, it was okay. I went on vacation very nervous and came home very relaxed and grateful for a wonderful time.

You get what you pay for. If you are expecting a resort type hotel this is not it. It is all inclusive so if you want to just drink and eat then it would be ok. Ok pool. Rooms were clean. No resort type services at all. They advertise an exercise facility- NOT it has one treadmill- that's it! Staff was good but no resort feel to it at all! If you are just staying one night as a stop over it would be fine but wouldn't want to stay here for a whole vacation.