Hotel Arenal

Sea, pools and a practical base for a diving holiday: Hotel Arenal puts you in front of San Antonio Beach, with the town close enough for dinner, drinks or a change of scenery. You can return from the water, cool down under the air conditioning, and still have the evening ahead of you rather than another transfer to endure.

The setting mixes the bay with junipers and pine trees, while terraces and rooms look towards Ibiza’s sunsets. The atmosphere is not sold as a silent retreat; there are evening shows, bars and nearby nightlife. That makes this a sensible choice if you want the sea at the door, a diving centre in the same complex and enough going on when the day’s underwater business is finished.

You are in San Antonio, Spain, on the seafront at San Antonio Bay. San Antonio Beach is directly outside, while Es Pouet Beach is about 0.5 miles away on foot. Calo des Moro Beach is about 1.1 miles away by road, and Cala Pinet Beach about 1.3 miles away on foot or by road.

The centre of San Antonio is about 1.2 km away along the promenade, so you can reach its bars, restaurants and shops without arranging transport. The immediate area also includes Ibiza Rocks Bar at roughly 0.1 miles, and Edén and Es Paradis at about 0.3 miles. For a more practical connection, San Antonio Bus Station is around 0.4 miles away.

If you want to explore beyond the bay, Cap Blanc Aquarium is about 1.6 miles away by road. Sa Talaiassa is around 6 miles away by road, while Ibiza’s Old Town is roughly 10 miles away. Ibiza Airport is about 10 miles from the hotel, with a listed driving time of around 19 minutes.

For two people, the sea-view double or twin room is the obvious choice if sunset matters to you. The standard double or twin room keeps the same practical two-bed arrangement without the view, while the single room suits solo travel when you would rather spend the room budget on diving, meals or getting around the island. The room cards below give you the exact dimensions, beds and occupancy; the useful distinction here is what each option gives your evening.

Every room has air conditioning, heating and a ceiling fan, which gives you more than one way to settle the temperature after a hot day by the water. You also get a private bathroom with bath or shower, hairdryer and toiletries, along with satellite TV, a telephone, WiFi, a safe and a wardrobe. A desk and a socket beside the bed cover the less glamorous but genuinely useful jobs, from checking tomorrow’s plans to charging the phone.

Families can book family rooms, and children of any age are welcome. Cots and extra beds are not available, so you should choose a room that works for the people actually travelling rather than relying on a later rearrangement. Non-smoking rooms, a lift and facilities for disabled guests are also available.

Breakfast is continental, giving you a straightforward start before heading out for the day. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a snack bar and a coffee house, so you have places on site for a proper meal, a drink or something less ambitious when you are hungry but not ready for dinner.

A pool bar keeps the drinks close to the loungers, while wine and champagne are available. The hotel’s food information does not turn the restaurant into a culinary manifesto, which is probably for the best: you can eat on site, then walk into San Antonio when you want a wider choice.

That choice begins almost immediately outside. Bar Toben is about 0.1 miles away, with several other restaurants and bars within roughly 0.1 to 0.3 miles. After a full day in the water, the useful part is simple: you can keep the evening easy, or leave the hotel without turning dinner into an expedition.

Three pools give you different ways to spend a non-diving afternoon: heated indoor and outdoor pools, plus separate pools for children. Sun loungers, umbrellas, a sun terrace and the garden let you stop moving for a while, which is often the most ambitious activity required after a long day at sea. A sauna and fitness centre are available too, although some shared facilities carry an additional charge.

If you still have energy in reserve, the complex has two tennis courts, a squash court, mini-golf, billiards, table tennis and a fitness centre. Some of these facilities are shared with the neighbouring hotel. The beach is directly accessible, and boat services from the nearby port can take you towards beaches and Formentera; jet-ski hire and parasailing are also available in the area.

Evenings bring professional shows and performances, including magic shows, flamenco, cabaret and karaoke. You can therefore keep the night on site, take a short walk towards San Antonio, or simply claim a lounger and let the day end without another plan.

Check-in starts from 15:00 and check-out runs until 12:00, giving you a useful amount of time on departure day before heading to the airport. A 24-hour front desk, private check-in and check-out, a tour desk, an ATM and car hire are available on site.

Free private parking is available without reservation, including accessible parking. WiFi is available throughout the hotel, and a lift, air conditioning, heating, fan, non-smoking rooms and facilities for disabled guests cover several of the practical details that matter more once you are carrying holiday luggage and trying to recover from a day outdoors.

Children of any age are welcome, but cots and extra beds are not available. Pets are not allowed, and cash is an accepted payment method. The cancellation and prepayment conditions vary with the accommodation type, so you should check the terms attached to the room you choose.