VOI Arenella Resort

I stayed at this resort for 1 week from 28/06/24. There were 20 of us over for a family wedding. The main issue were the staff, they were really rude and hostile towards us. It almost felt like it was due to us being from the UK. All the children were often told to remove toys and balls from the pool while the other guests were allowed to carry on. We were regularly served last at the bar. We were always polite but it wasn’t reciprocated. I’ve been on several all inclusive holidays but this ranks bottom by a long way. I really hope this was a one off and other families don’t experience the issues we had. I should also note my frail 74 year old uncle was manhandled by security staff as we complained about our towels being removed for going to lunch. An awful holiday!! I also had a stagnant puddle of water which smelled like death, this wasn’t addressed after raising with the staff several times.

I read the reviews on the plane over and I was worried, but I've had no regrets at all, ok their isn't a lot to do during the day but you need to make the most of it,book the coach to Syracuse for 10euro per couple return, food is occasionally hit and miss but we've had no problems, seafood to die for, rooms are serviced everyday, no complaints. The Sicilians are family people, lots of well behaved children. Lovely place to visit.Entertainment every night. And some of the reviews sound like people weren't happy with their choose of hotel, if you didn't like what you booked don't slag off the hard working hotel and staff, they go out of their to help and we'd come back tomorrow

From the moment we stepped inside the hotel we had a lovely warm welcome. All of the staff around the hotel were really friendly. Our room was modern, spacious and the cleaners were in every day. The balcony was a lovely and plenty big enough. The food was lovely with plenty on offer. I have a gluten free diet and all the food is allergy labelled. The staff in the restaurant still went above and beyond to make sure I had something to eat and brought me breads and little baskets of goodies. No tea or coffee during lunch/evening meal so if you’re not all inclusive then you will need to guy one from the bar. The pool areas were really spacious and the loungers were really comfortable. The grounds are beautiful and so well kept. We used the shuttle service to the beach and back a few times but in one occasion decided to walk back. It’s not that far and it was a lovely stroll. We booked a private taxi to Syracuse itself to do some sightseeing as the bus service only allows for 3 hours between drop off and pick up and we didn’t want to be limited with time. The musician that performed on an evening was superb. He played music from all different genres and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to him.

Before we booked this holiday my partner called who speaks fluent italian to see if the kids club would be on receptionist said its not as busy as the summer but will be open and it was not I would not have booked otherwise. We arrived and the staff member came over and just stood at the table and said nothing no hi or how are you he didn't speak English but could of spoke Italian I know the basics was really weird to be honest. Food was cold and not much variety best night was Wednesday sicilian night, they are stingy with portions 1 slice of everything lol. Drink machines constantly run out of drink. Was like eating time at the zoo at dinner pushing and shuving. The staff were so miserable please be aware not all sicilian people are like this only in this hotel I felt like saying cheer up mate can't be that bad can it . Pools and beach were lovely life guards were hardly at pools just at bar or walking past with fag in their mouth. Room was ok never changed bed sheet once. Had tablets in packets for washing like we are a washing machine never seen this before just tight really, this is meant to be a 4* cleaners are very friendly. The old guy waiter with white hair pony tail is the most rude from them all asked for glasses he said look in buffet and then brought some out to Italian family, hes obviously fed up with the job but you have to give a service to customers its not cheap here, no managers on site they just need someone in charge and couldn be a nice hotel such a shame really wouldn't return sadly thank god for the weather and beach!!

Where do we start, firstly don’t go here if you’re British. They don’t like us, totally ignore you, very rude, ignorant, don’t smile. Very serious, apart from reception staff and 2 waitresses in our restaurant we had for 6 days, as a premium or superior room you can use the separate restaurant which was nice, then it just closed without any communication whatsoever, so we were then put in with the rest of the hotel at the buffet restaurant, fighting for a coffee in the morning, etc, running out of food constantly, asking to replenish and being looked at as if i am an alien! Drinks machines constantly running out of Pepsi, 7up, etc. Pizzeria closed the day we arrived, such a shame as pizza in main restaurant is like school dinner pizza. Room, although premium was basic, leaking shower, changed linen once in 9 days. Towels were regularly changed, so a plus. Room attendants looked at you as if you had two heads, even though we tried to correspond and say good morning. Food was cold, plates were cold. Only one bar opens at a time, unusual for a large complex, they would run out of spirit drinks, didn’t replenish. Surely must have had spare bottles out the back. I wouldn’t go to the bar at the pool because i felt uncomfortable every time i tried. Lady was rude to me twice, and made me feel uncomfortable. Ignored me over Italians at bar. Young girl with long dark hair and glasses. Lots of throw away small plastic cups and paper cups, not washable ones, like most all inclusives. This is not very environmentally friendly. Prosecco not included. No alcohol free beer either. For a very large hotel it is surprising. My husband works in hospitality and we have visited many hotels around Europe and Italy and never have we been treated with such hostility. Where are the managers, keeping an eye on the staff and the holidaymakers. Music in the evenings was ok, struggled for a chair on the upper terrace. Pools were lovely, but no markings of depth and only one set of steps, no steps in the kids pool. Sometimes the lifeguard, a young boy, was never around the pool, just at the bar, talking to the bar staff, on his phone and smoking, older lady and guy were very attentive. We witnessed a guy fall in the pool as the steps aren’t clearly marked and luckily someone saw and helped him, while the lifeboy was at the bar chatting with his back to the pool. Beach was also lovely, can walk or get the train, it is a pleasant sandy beach with facilities and restaurant, ice cream, pizzeria, which is paying, a small sacrifice for the beach. Weather was lovely, thankfully. Location is miles from anywhere, Syracuse is 12 km away, getting out and about is highly recommended if you do chose to stay here as a base. Shuttle goes twice daily to Syracuse for 5 euros. Other tours can be arranged through the hotel or hire a car if you dare want to drive in Sicily. Animation team They are friendly and attentive, and make you laugh. Great for aqua gym, Pilates and stretchi

1st room 3116 bathroom flooded, maintenance cleared blockage but still flooded as shower tray was cracked. Only after major intervention from Jet2 Rep finally changed our room. 3908. This was on the furthest cell block away from reception in a family area. We were a couple who then had screaming kids and noise from rooms above and the auditorium nightly. We were also lucky enough to have a MOUSE running around our room which reception thought nothing of! Sent a guy to put a poison patch on the floor which was never checked or removed may still be there hope no small children come across it ever as was behind the sofa beds in lounge. We were half board. Food was very poor and inadequate. Worst buffet restaurant we have ever been in resembling a school canteen. Staff OK but gave you the impression English were not liked nothing to do with language barrier either. No consistency in prices. We purchased several rounds of drinks at lunch and evening different prices for the same drinks everytime. Only decent area was Bar Gusto and the beach. Lovely pools and September was perfect time as fairly quiet. Resort is very tired, dirty and in need of an upgrade. Definitely not value for money and should be downgraded on star ratings.

My partner and I came from England. I took the time to learn some Italian, which was a great idea as there definitely exists some rudeness towards English guests, though I would say 90% of the staff are perfectly kind and have no animosity towards the English. The grounds of the hotel are very pretty, the pools are large and there was never a shortage of sun beds. We went in September 2024, so there were virtually no children (a negative aspect that many reviews mention is screaming kids). However, if you take the time at home to cook nice food, the food at this resort will shock you. The standard is very poor, and after the first night in the all inclusive buffet, my partner and I booked into the pizzeria every night (there is no rule saying you cannot do this) as the pizza was freshly made and delicious. I certainly believe the people who write that the food is nice must be used to microwave meals at home, in which case the buffet food will probably be nice enough in your opinion, but we found it to be some of the worst food we had ever eaten. Lastly, the rooms were incredibly noisy, bordering on ridiculous. I am a light sleeper and never once slept through the night, usually I saw every hour on my watch as there would be a loud guest shouting, someone checking in and rolling their suitcase past, rarely a child would scream. I understand people make noise, but when the rooms have zero sound-deadening, this becomes a major problem. People rolling their suitcases past the room sounded like a train due to the vibrations and thin walls. That alone would wake even the deepest of sleepers. I would not return, and overall I would not recommend this hotel to anyone.

The noisiest hotel I ever stayed in. Full of children and screaming adults who like to bang doors and shout. Not really geared up for English tourists and single female travellers seem to be frowned upon unless I have grown 2 heads or something. The beds are comfy and the room overall is clean but a deep clean wouldn't hurt especially in the dining areas. The location is mo where near Syracuse and unless you have a car you are stuck. The shuttle bus times are very limited and not very user friendly. Syracuse is not worth visiting although Ortiga is nice. The food is nice but presentation isn't the best. Staff have limited English abilities and some are rude. Definitely wouldn't return

Based on 2 fortnight stays.2022&2024,this resort offers great flexibility. It continues to offer additional benefits. The staff & accommodation where excellent.