I didn't notice the cup holders on each arm. To some that might be a plus, to me it kind of cheapens the look. The material doesn't seem that it will be extremely durable--confession time, I do have a cat that occasionally claws furniture, but this seems to snag at the slightest touch. The mechanism for opening the recliner is OK (be warned, it sort of flies up), but the effort needed to push it back down is almost more than I can manage with my semi-arthritic hip. It is pretty comfortable, though, and the price was right. Just be aware that, as in most things, you get what you pay for.