Arsenal FC stars: “The best hotel hack? Be polite”

The more successful footballers are, the more they get to see the world. Whether they’re representing their club in Europe, traveling to away games in the league, or lining up for their country at an international tournament, modern players spend more time staying in hotels than almost any other profession.

This certainly holds true for the players of Arsenal F.C., who have been riding high in the English Premier League and made it into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League. Central to this are defender Ben White, striker Eddie Nketiah, and winger Reiss Nelson, a trio of Gunners whose talent on the pitch has also helped them to acquire a connoisseur’s knowledge of what makes a good hotel visit.

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For them, the most important part of any stay is the bed itself. “A good rest is vital, so it has to be king size at least,” says Nelson. “And with crisp new sheets,” adds White. “In fact, my favorite thing is fresh bedding.” (They are not alone in this preference among elite athletes: Cristiano Ronaldo takes five naps a day in a huge, specially designed HOGO “sleep system” bed; while teams on the Tour de France send mattresses ahead to each new hotel on the course, ensuring their cyclists get a consistent night’s sleep.)  

Not that these Arsenal stars are averse to a little luxury, however. “The nice spa, the Jacuzzi, a steam room…” lists Nelson, to which Nketia adds, “And comfy robes, the slippers, the little freebies. A really great place for that is the spa at the Bulgari in Knightsbridge.” Nearer to their home stadium, Nelson gives a shout out to the pampering expertise of the spa at The Standard Hotel near King’s Cross Station.

So, no ice baths, then? “Not so much on holiday,” protests White, before bigging up his club captain. “Although maybe Martin Ødegaard does that!” 

It’s obvious they have a close bond as teammates, and that extends to the rest of the squad. So which fellow Arsenal player would they most like to room with? Well, Nketia and Nelson have already shared as young players on a tour to Australia. “I can’t speak for Eddie,” says Nelson, “but at that age, 17, I hadn’t seen any five-star places, so it was crazy, surreal.”

Nowadays, they reckon the player easiest to get along with would be defender Takehiro Tomiyasu (“He’s so neat… he’d probably fold your clothes”) and the one most likely to have a party in his room would be “one of the Brazilians, like Gabriel.”

Not that things ever get too loud—they all insist that getting on with the staff is a vital part of any stay. “My best hotel hack is to be polite,” stresses White. “Yes,” concurs Nelson, “manners are free.” 

Similarly, peace and quiet is something they all hanker for once the season is over. “My ideal getaway would be somewhere tropical,” says Nelson. “Getting greeted with champagne and chocolates, then opening my windows to see a beautiful beach. On my bucket list is the Four Seasons in Miami—I’ve heard such good things about it.”

Nketiah elaborates on the theme. “Yeah, or somewhere on a private island. Arrive by helicopter. A modern hotel with great technology.”  

White adds a few refinements of his own. “And getting a nice strawberry daiquiri on arrival, just to soften the blow of the long journey. Then straight up to a room with a huge balcony where I can sit in the morning, having a coffee and looking out to sea, knowing I can get in among the waves after breakfast. That’s perfect.

“Mind you,” he adds, pivoting as quickly as he does when closing down an opposition striker, “I’ve never been to Vegas either, and I think there’s a reason why everyone goes there at least once, so I need to find out for myself. I heard the Wynn Hotel is unbelievable, so maybe I’ll skip the beach and get myself there instead.” 

Michael Smith

Writer

Michael Smith has been a journalist for titles including the Financial Times, GQ, Esquire and FHM, as well as presenting numerous travel series on British television, which saw him exploring the Amazon in Brazil, swimming with sharks in South Africa, and skydiving in Australia.