Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Liked: I really enjoyed the rainforest and hiking trails on the property. The hotel staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the restaurant offered a great variety of choices. The beautiful surroundings and peaceful atmosphere made the stay very enjoyable, and the opportunity to explore the rainforest right from the property was definitely a highlight. Overall, a wonderful place to stay and a great experience!

Disliked: -

Liked: One of the best places in CR for birdwatching and trekking. I saw so many unique birds on my stay here. Every morning I was wake up at 5:30 to catch the active birds and there would be coffee waiting for me by the restaurant, it was an amazing touch which I absolutely loved. The hiking trails are so well maintained and signposted I was shocked, as in other parts of CR this isn't the case. All the staff were so nice, especially Joseph and Kay in the restaurant who were very nice guys. They gifted us an amazing honeymoon desert on our first night which was unbelievable. And also decorated our room in petals with some wine, which was such an amazing touch! Loved this place.

Disliked: Nothing really!

Liked: As a family of four we enjoyed being close to nature and the trails maintained by the hotel. The pool was frequently used by our kids which was clean and nice. The room was clean and spacious. Keep the ventilation always on if it's raining to avoid your cloth stay wet.

Disliked: Unfortunately we had quite a rainy week during our stay but that happens during rain season.

Liked: The location was amazing, service amazing. I loved the trails on site and all the views. I would recommend this hotel to everyone who is going to La Fortuna.

Disliked: I gave it a 9 for the little things, like there was no refrigerator, the bathroom was kind of small to leave all my stuff. The power went out on the first night. Normally, that is a big problem, but for some reason it was kind of charming due to the location. Still, not convenient for charging phones and the fan on the ceiling.

Liked: What an exceptional stay! My daughter is four years old, and it’s really important to me that she grows up understanding how beautiful nature is and what a magical place the world can be. This was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica. She absolutely loved the trails and being able to walk everywhere. Even though it rained a lot during our trip, she loved exploring, listening to all the birds and frogs, and watching the agoutis running around. The staff were absolutely wonderful, so friendly, welcoming, and accommodating, especially with my daughter. She has an egg allergy, and the restaurant staff were incredibly helpful. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the lodge, and everything was perfect every time. The accommodations themselves were also fantastic. We had an amazing view of the volcano, and our room was massive, more than enough space for us (three) and really comfortable. Such a beautiful and memorable place. We’re already hoping to come back in a few years, maybe with a new family member in tow!

Disliked: My only recommendation would be to offer kid-sized portions at breakfast. We had to order a full meal for our four-year-old, and the portion was huge for her. She couldn’t come close to finishing it (and we tried to help), but we felt bad wasting the food. A smaller option for younger kids would have been perfect.

Liked: The room was well maintained and cleaned daily. The view was spectacular and the wildlife was close and diverse. Very good breakfast with good variety. Dinner menu was extensive and good quality. The walking tracks and gardens were well maintained, and the included some free activites well worth participating in. The museum is worth a visit with good infomation. A very secluded and secured site.

Disliked: Yes, it is a cloud forest, and you expect rain, but 4 days across 3 nights and we glimped the volcano for one 5 minute period. It is an expensive offering only reconciled by the obvious quality experience.

Liked: Fantastic, up in the mountains location with nature trails on site. It rained a ton but the gardens were beautiful and the view from the porch can't be matched.

Disliked: Given the level of humidity, a dehumidifer or a/c unit would have helped to dry things out a bit. The restaurant was just average.

Liked: The location and the organization of the stay thanks to the excellent Lorena.

Disliked: The restaurant could be better with a better organization.