Situated in the leafy green, tropical hills of La Fortuna, lies the stunning Hotel Arenal Lodge . Nestled amongst 2000 acres of lush forest land, Hotel Arenal Lodge provides a calming and picturesque escape from one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations.
Hotel Arenal Lodge offers unparalleled views of the famous Arenal Volcano and lake, stunning walking trails and serene surroundings. Staying here is a truly remarkable experience. And as someone who spends their days looking for unique hotels and Air Bnb’s to stay in, I can say that Hotel Arenal Lodge ticks almost every box.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of La Fortuna and watch the sunrise over Arenal Volcano whilst the birds are singing, with a hot cup of coffee in hand, then Hotel Arenal Lodge is for you.
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Where is Hotel Arenal Lodge Located?
Hotel Arenal Lodge is located just 30 minutes from the main, and very famous town of La Fortuna. La Fortuna is best known for its waterfalls, hanging bridges, ziplining, views of Arenal Volcano and of course it’s hot springs.
The town is approximately 3-4 hours from Costa Rica’s other popular tourist destinations such as Tortuguero, Monteverde and Manual Antonio National Park.
Getting to La Fortuna and Hotel Arenal Lodge is extremely easy for those who have rented a car. There is private onsite parking at the hotel for all guests, complete with 24-hour security. If you are driving, please expect to drive a further 2km uphill once you have reached the entrance to the hotel. This road is single-track and extremely bumpy, so make sure to take extra care, especially if driving in the dark.
Getting to Hotel Arenal Lodge via public transport is slightly trickier. You will first catch the bus to La Fortuna, followed by a taxi (or potentially an Uber) to the hotel. Once at the Hotel, you can ask reception to help organise any further taxi rides.
What is the Accommodation like at Hotel Arenal Lodge?
Hotel Arenal Lodge has a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets and group sizes.
Junior Suite
This is the cheapest option at Arenal Hotel Lodge. These rooms can sleep up to 3-5 people and come complete with a balcony and incredible views of the Volcano and Rainforest. They are conveniently located close to the main building.
Family Suites
Family Suites sleep up to 4 people, unlike the Junior suites which have two separate bedrooms for extra privacy. Unfortunately, these rooms do not come with a volcano view. Some family suites also come with the added extra of a kitchen, for those who would prefer to cook.
Panoramic Chalet
If you have a little extra cash to spend then the panoramic chalet is the one to book. These gorgeous glass rooms are located away from the main building, settled at the top of a hill. These rooms sleep up to 5 people and boast even better views of the Volcano and lake.
Honeymoon Suite
The honeymoon suite is very similar to the panoramic chalet, except it’s for 2 people (obviously) and has its own private jacuzzi and garden.
All rooms
All rooms come fully equipped with
- Air conditioning
- Mini fridge
- Cable TV
- Coffee
- A safe
- Wifi
- Telephone
What Facilities do they have at Hotel Arenal Lodge?
Hotel Arenal Lodge has all the facilities you need to ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
The swimming pool is definitely the best part of this hotel. Why? Yep, you guessed it, the view. The feeling of swimming around the pool, whilst laying your eyes upon the volcano, with a cold beer in hand was like no other. It was truly one of those “I can’t believe I’m here” moments.
Right next to the swimming pool, you will find 2 small jacuzzis that will need to be pre-booked should you want to go in!
Booking.comHummingbird Garden
Located close to the pool you will find the beautiful Hummingbird Garden. If you don’t spot one of these stunning birds, you’ll be sure to find fluorescent flowers and graceful butterflies.
Gym
If you like to keep fit whilst travelling, then Hotel Arenal Lodge has you covered. This gym is basic but it does the job. There are also lots of hills around if you fancy doing any sprints 😉.
Spa
If you want the extra bit of relaxation you can book in a massage at the onsite spa. Massages start at around £30 ($40).
Games Room & Children’s Playground
Travelling with kids? There should *hopefully* be enough to keep them entertained with the onsite playground and indoor games room
Laundry service
Don’t worry if you’ve got your clothes muddy on a hike, or if you’ve run out of underwear. The laundry service at Hotel Arenal Lodge can solve those problems.
Walking trails
There are over 600 acres of trails and rainforests to explore around Hotel Arenal Lodge. Make sure to ask reception for their advice on the best walks to go on and how to get there.
Tours and Activities
If you want to explore more of the grounds, but don’t fancy doing another hike then Hotel Arenal Lodge also offers incredible horseback riding tours, which you can book at reception. The team can also help to arrange any other tours that you might want to do in La Fortuna such as Zip Lining and ATV tours.
Restaurant/bar & Room Service
Hotel Arenal Lodge has an onsite bar and restaurant. They also offer free breakfast in the morning but you can keep a tab open for any additional extras (like poolside beers 😉).
In total honesty, I found the restaurant to be a tad disappointing and it is probably the only thing that lets this place down. Unless you get takeout before heading back to the hotel, you really have no other option but to eat here, due to the distance from town. I thought for that reason the food might be a little better, but the menu is quite basic and the prices a little inflated.
As you can probably tell I feel quite bad for feeling this way because everything else is pretty much perfect.
How much does it cost to stay at Hotel Arenal Lodge?
Prices will vary depending on the seasons, however, you can expect prices to start from upwards of £90 ($108). For 3 nights in April, my boyfriend and I paid £263 plus £34 in taxes and charges.
What are the pros and cons of staying at Hotel Arenal Lodge?
There are 100% more pros than cons to staying at this beautiful hotel, but let’s go through them so you can have a complete overview:
Pros
- The View
- The swimming pool
- The jacuzzis
- Large room size
- Wheelchair Access
- Value for money
Cons
- Lack of options at the restaurant
- Distance to town
Would I stay here again?
1000% YES. My issues with the food aside, this is one of the best hotels i’ve ever stayed in. When you factor in the incredible views, the size of the rooms and the sheer amount of facilities and services provided, the value for money is insanely good.
For more Costa Rica Hotel inspiration, check out my guide to Tribe Boutique Hotel in Dominical.
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