I have always been impressed with the hotel designs of Florida native and legendary Costa Rican hotelier, Lee Banks.
My company, Package Costa Rica, has been sending our customers to the Peace Lodge, an amazing resort located in the heart of the cloud forest in Vara Blanca, for years.
Severl years ago, Banks had a stroke of bad luck, with the “double whammy” of the devastating Chinchona earthquake of January 8th, 2009 that did serious damage to the Peace Lodge and La Paz Gardens, coupled with the economic crisis that waylaid tourism worldwide.
Nevertheless, as the saying goes, you can’t keep a “good hotelier” down.
The Peace Lodge reopened after about a year of reparations and Banks’ new hotel at the Arenal Volcano, The Springs Resort and Spa, is now going strong.
I have personally experienced The Springs Resort and Spa many times and it is, to put it mildly, impressive. I have had the fortune of staying in many great hotels around the U.S., but I tell you nothing I have experienced surpasses what is awaiting guests at the Springs Resort and Spa.
Admitted that one unique and advantageous characteristic is that in every nook and cranny of the hotel you will be staring at the majestic and massive Arenal Volcano, one of the most active and beautiful volcanoes on the planet.
But in addition there’s Banks’ attention to detail, which seems to border on OCD, but to the benefit of his customers. Same goes with his penchant for maintaining the absolute highest levels of customer service quality.
I guess the property on which the hotel rests was once covered with “caña brava” (or wild sugar cane) because the stalks of the plant have been incorporated into every facet of the hotel, from ceilings, to doors, to light fixtures and fans. The effect is “rustically elegant” and totally gorgeous.
The hotel’s rooms are absolutely stunning in rustic decor (and the ever present caña brava), as well as maximum comfort. And every room offers a balcony with a “jaw-dropping” view of the volcano.
The views offered of the volcano throughout the property are absolutely second to none (just look at the picture above taken from the most elegant of the hotel’s four restaurants).
The hotel’s pools are fed by underground hot mineral springs of varying temperatures. The spa facilities and exercise rooms are immaculate with the best possible equipment. The hotel features three restaurants and a sushi bar.
In short, the hotel has everything you could ask for and what is so amazing is that all this is located deep in the tropical forest with one of the most active volcanoes in the world looming overhead. The overall effect is “maximum exotic-ness” times ten.
Oops I almost forgot to mention the “perdido springs,” which the first time I visited I didn’t even discover until it was almost time to leave. Perdido Springs (or “lost springs”) are a series of connecting pools and waterfalls fed by underground hot springs in a real tropical jungle setting. This amenity also features an exhilarating water slide and bar. Really cool stuff!
The place ain’t cheap, with rooms that start in the $500 per night range, but worth every penny. Let’s put it this way, a place like this anywhere in the U.S., or any “developed” country that offers such a beautiful natural setting, would probably cost twice what Banks is asking.
Bottom line is this; if you are coming to Costa Rica and want to visit the Arenal Volcano you should consider splurging on The Springs Resort and Spa.
You won’t be sorry.
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