Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort & Spa

The resort consists of dozens of small buildings spread across a sprawling, lush green property. Most feature a bungalow-style architecture with low-slung rooflines, large porches, and plenty of windows. Each building feels more like a small private home than a hotel room. Thatched roofs and liberal use of teak on the furniture, walls, and ceilings add a touch of tropical flair, but many of the common areas look dated. The hotel’s large pool complex serves as its primary outdoor social space, with 13 hot spring pools, a freshwater pool, a kiddy pool, and a swim-up bar. Aside from the large, two-in-one restaurant building, there are few additional spaces for guests to congregate, however. Consequently, much of the hotel feels quiet -- bordering on vacant -- even with the property at capacity. Expect to see vacationers of all stripes here, from families to groups of friends and couples.

The hotel is situated along Route 142 -- the main road that winds around Arenal Volcano and Laguna de Arenal. The surrounding area is resort-heavy, with no points of interest within walking distance. However, the heart of Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal is a 15-minute drive from the resort with dozens of hiking trails and outdoor adventure opportunities. The shops, restaurants, and attractions of La Fortuna are also less than 10 minutes east by car.

The resort is three hours from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). The country’s taxi service is mostly affordable. However, fares can prove expensive over such long distances. The most affordable alternative is via private shuttle van/bus service which is easy to arrange at the airport or with the hotel’s concierge. Car rental is likely the most convenient (though pricier) option, and several brand-name agencies have counters in the airport terminal.

Like most of the hotel’s common areas, rooms have a simple look that hovers somewhere between modern and dated, with subtle tropical touches in some. Teak furniture and accents, floral linens, and exposed wood cathedral ceilings in many units contribute to an aesthetic that’s tasteful and reserved. However, lower- and mid-category rooms, like the Superior Room that we visited, were almost austere, with nothing on the walls, older peach bed runners on the beds, and wood tile floors that have seen better days. Suites have a bit more personality, with funkier fabrics, abstract wall art, and warmer colors used throughout.

The three room categories vary in size, though the amenities in each are largely the same. Standard Rooms feature typical one-room floor plans, while Superior Rooms are individual cabins with larger, one-room floor plans and more modern furnishings. Both categories feature two double beds with mini-fridges, in-room safes, flat-screen TVs, and private porches with views of Arenal Volcano. Suites are substantially larger cabins that accommodate up to seven guests. These feature all of the above amenities, plus two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchenette (with a full-size refrigerator, sink, and microwave), and a whirlpool hot tub in the master bedroom. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the property. Beds are widely reviewed as old, hard, and uncomfortable in all categories, and air-conditioning doesn't always work that well.

Bathrooms are adequately sized and relatively modern. The look is decidedly unremarkable, and a bit dated, with tan and white tiling, wood laminate flooring, and marble vanities with limited counter space. Small hairdryers and generic, pump-style shower amenities are standard in all categories.

There are a number of features at this sprawling property, but unfortunately the quality from one area to the next is inconsistent. One of the nicest extras here is the Mayin Spa, situated in a large, stand-alone building centered around a tall rotunda with a large stone fountain in the center. The mostly open-air space is adorned with tropical tile flooring, wood cathedral ceilings, and traditional, dark wood furnishings. The spa menu includes a long list of massage treatments such as aromatherapy, Swedish, and deep tissue. A small adjacent salon provides basic beauty services like manicures and pedicures. Located in an adjoining room, the hotel gym offers basic workout equipment including free weights and a handful of cardio machines.

The resort has two restaurants, both located in a single large building. The main restaurant, Rancho Paraiso, serves free buffet breakfasts plus lunch and dinner. The menu is typical of many area buffets with a mix of “Western-friendly” fare like grilled chicken, spaghetti bolognese, and fettuccine alfredo, and a few Costa Rican dishes, such as breaded sea bass, Camarones del Monte, and beef fajitas. Decor is dark, bland, and uninspiring and the food is only mediocre. In an adjacent room, Oscar’s Steakhouse provides a slightly more sophisticated dining experience. However, many visitors likewise consider the food to be average and overpriced. Room service is available from both restaurants for a fee.

Free self-parking is available throughout the property. Superior Rooms and Suites feature private areas with parking immediately adjacent to each cabin. Guests can also use the property’s on-site golf cart service to traverse the grounds, which is almost required given its large size.

A series of 13 hot spring pools is fed by a cascade of natural, mineral-rich water flowing through the property. Each pool in the complex is man-made but designed to blend almost seamlessly into the landscape. A small, stand-alone mineral pool also has a swim-up bar with a full liquor menu. It's worth noting that the water is frequently more warm than hot. A separate mineral spring pool also provides kids-only swimming. A final, adequately-sized freshwater pool offers guests a more traditional swimming alternative. Basic, white plastic lounge chairs ring all sides of the pool deck. While there are few umbrellas, the surrounding trees provide substantial shade throughout the day.