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Arenal Hotels
- Mid-range – $150 to $300
- Upscale – $300 and above
Hotel Fortuna
This is our go-to hotel in the little pueblo known as La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano. This is a comfortable 3-star hotel that is within walking distance of all the restaurants, shops, bars, etc. located in the pueblo. The hotel offers rooms with cable tv, a/c, and private baths with hot water. The rooms we generally use have great views of the Arenal Volcano.
Los Lagos
An excellent family hotel. Los Lagos offers up-close views of the mighty Arenal Volcano as well as many other amenities that provide fun for the entire family. They have a several pools, a swim-up bar, water slides, nature displays, and their own geothermal hot springs. The superior rooms are large enough to comfortable sleep a family of 6.
Arenal Observatory Lodge
The Observatory Lodge offers the best views of the Arenal Volcano, chiefly because it is closest to the action. The volcano is located on the side of Arenal that has in recent years received most of the lava flow. It is located a good 30 to 40 minutes outside of town. The hotel features a wide range of accommodations, from shared bathroom cabins to more luxurious rooms with private baths. The views of the volcano are ubiquitous at this place and the flora and fauna, incredible. There are many hiking trails on the property. There is also a very good restaurant serving typical Costa Rican cuisine, with stunning views of course! Observatory Lodge is for those who don’t mind being in a remote location and who really want to get up close and personal with one of the top 10 most active volcanoes in the world.
Rancho Margot
A one of a kind place. Rancho Margot is a leader in the new bread of totally self-sustaining hotel. It is for those who want to be and do green, but still don’t want to skip on the luxury too much. The hotel was recently featured on CNN’s, The Next List, hosted by Sanjay Gupta. The propreitor of Rancho Margot, Juan Sostheim, has created a hotel that doubles as a self-sustaining farm, where everything is produced on property, including food, electricity, heat, and a great experience of the Arenal Volcano. Like the Observatory Lodge, Rancho Margot is located in a remote area a good 40 minutes away from the town of La Fortuna. However, the experience of staying there is well worth the effort to get there. You may even return home full ideas about how to make your own life more sustainable.
Arenal Nayara
No. 6 on Travel and Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Hotels List, Arenal Nayara offers unforgettable ambiance and service. The rooms all feature picture perfect views of the Arenal Volcano and are immaculately and tastefully appointed. What’s even better is that the price of an Arenal Nayara experience is not something only movie stars can afford. The hotel also features a gourmet restaurant and sushi bar, a wine bar, exercise room and pool. Nayara is the most in demand hotel in the Arenal area these days, so if you want in, book fast!
Arenal Kioro
Built as close as you really want to get, Arenal Kioro offers an intimate experience for its guests with the mighty Arenal, as well as for its romantic and warm setting. All rooms are suites that feature in-room Jacuzzis and amazing volcano views. The hotel also boasts a great restaurant, pool with in-your-face volcano view and its own hot springs.
Royal Corin
The Royal Corin Resort & Loto Spa has 54 rooms with an elegant design, quiet atmosphere in harmony with natural wealth of the area of the majestic Arenal volcano. Each room has fantastic view of the volcano.
The Springs Resort
The word spectacular doesn’t do justice to this place. The Springs Resort is the second hotel in Costa Rica to be developed by Lee Banks. The first was The Peace Lodge in the mountains near San Jose. While Banks went for the small boutique hotel with his first Costa Rica foray, The Springs Resort is anything but small. Shades of Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina always comes to mind when I stay there. It is undoubtedly one of my favorites in Costa Rica. The Springs spares no luxurious expense and every detail is handled and handled well. The hotel features a variety of restaurants and the geothermal heated pools are incredible. The place comes at a pretty high price tag, but worth every penny. Make sure to check out the Jungle Cat Sanctuary while you are there.
