This 66-room, mid-range bungalow resort feels like a replica of a tightly packed suburb -- and also involves jockeying with neighbors for parallel-parking spaces on its narrow lanes. It's popular with Costa Ricans, and is about a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna, but has seen better days. Its musty, worn bungalows have old tube TVs, and the views of the volcano from the grand windows are marred by the swarms of guest cars parked on the lanes outside. Guests looking for a rustic rainforest experience in this price range may prefer Hotel Kokoro Arenal, or the slightly pricier Hotel El Silencio del Campo, which has extra-hot hot springs (some guests feel the ones here aren't warm enough).
This 66-room, mid-range bungalow resort feels like a replica of a tightly packed suburb -- and also involves jockeying with neighbors for parallel-parking spaces on its narrow lanes. It's popular with Costa Ricans, and is about a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna, but has seen better days. Its musty, worn bungalows have old tube TVs, and the views of the volcano from the grand windows are marred by the swarms of guest cars parked on the lanes outside. Guests looking for a rustic rainforest experience in this price range may prefer Hotel Kokoro Arenal, or the slightly pricier Hotel El Silencio del Campo, which has extra-hot hot springs (some guests feel the ones here aren't warm enough).
At the end of a winding rural road in Costa Rica’s stunning, 2,000-acre cloud forest, the mid-range Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Nature Reserve feels like a hotel at the end of the world. All 35 rooms are rustic, freestanding bungalows with free Wi-Fi, minibars, wood-burning fireplaces, and private patios with lovely views. An authentic Costa Rican restaurant/bar, on-site dairy farm, exclusive hiking trails, a modern movie theater, and a historic chapel for destination weddings are among its most notable amenities. The absence of attractions within walking distance may dissuade some guests, but others may find that that’s exactly what they’re looking for. Although rooms aren't as modern, Lands in Love Hotel & Resort (Tierras Enamoradas) offers similar amenities, plus a pool and an outdoor adventure park for similar rates.
At the end of a winding rural road in Costa Rica’s stunning, 2,000-acre cloud forest, the mid-range Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Nature Reserve feels like a hotel at the end of the world. All 35 rooms are rustic, freestanding bungalows with free Wi-Fi, minibars, wood-burning fireplaces, and private patios with lovely views. An authentic Costa Rican restaurant/bar, on-site dairy farm, exclusive hiking trails, a modern movie theater, and a historic chapel for destination weddings are among its most notable amenities. The absence of attractions within walking distance may dissuade some guests, but others may find that that’s exactly what they’re looking for. Although rooms aren't as modern, Lands in Love Hotel & Resort (Tierras Enamoradas) offers similar amenities, plus a pool and an outdoor adventure park for similar rates.
The upper-middle-range Asclepios bills itself as a wellness center rather than a hotel, though it successfully incorporates elements of both. Located in the hills near the Central Valley town of Alajuela, it’s conveniently close to the airport but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. A full spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, and organic restaurant all lie on spacious grounds amidst a lush landscape. Every one of its 12 comfortable and stylish rooms has a different theme, and all overlook hillsides planted with coffee and sugarcane. Guests looking for a spa retreat on comfortable grounds will find it here -- but there's not much else around the property.
The upper-middle-range Asclepios bills itself as a wellness center rather than a hotel, though it successfully incorporates elements of both. Located in the hills near the Central Valley town of Alajuela, it’s conveniently close to the airport but worlds away from the hustle and bustle of downtown San Jose. A full spa, fitness center, outdoor pool, and organic restaurant all lie on spacious grounds amidst a lush landscape. Every one of its 12 comfortable and stylish rooms has a different theme, and all overlook hillsides planted with coffee and sugarcane. Guests looking for a spa retreat on comfortable grounds will find it here -- but there's not much else around the property.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Xandari Resort & Spa is a solid choice in the countryside, a 10-minute drive from Alajuela and 20 minutes from Juan Santamaria Airport. The decor is colorful and bold, with lots of typical tropical and hand-crafted details throughout. With its hilltop location, the resort offers great views of the surrounding mountains and volcanos from almost every room and common area. The terrace restaurant is a highlight, and there's also an open-air spa with hot tubs in every treatment room, and three outdoor pools including a hillside infinity pool. The 24 spacious rooms are bright, with local accents, and have minibars, free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies. Check rates at Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat for a similarly priced, three-and-a-half-pearl alternative with additional spa- and yoga-centric amenities.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Xandari Resort & Spa is a solid choice in the countryside, a 10-minute drive from Alajuela and 20 minutes from Juan Santamaria Airport. The decor is colorful and bold, with lots of typical tropical and hand-crafted details throughout. With its hilltop location, the resort offers great views of the surrounding mountains and volcanos from almost every room and common area. The terrace restaurant is a highlight, and there's also an open-air spa with hot tubs in every treatment room, and three outdoor pools including a hillside infinity pool. The 24 spacious rooms are bright, with local accents, and have minibars, free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies. Check rates at Pura Vida Spa & Yoga Retreat for a similarly priced, three-and-a-half-pearl alternative with additional spa- and yoga-centric amenities.
The Courtyard is a mid-range Marriott property designed as a convenient modern stopover, with free airport shuttles and a decent line up of features. It's a solid overnight option for airport and business travelers seeking a smooth and easy stay pre- and post-flight, or while conducting business. Shuttles and breakfasts starting super early are a major plus for early morning departures and arrivals. Features include a fitness center, a nice pool and sun terrace, good business facilities, free Wi-Fi, and Centro restaurant and bar serving all meals. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and feature coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. A major highlight is the great little strip of international eateries over the road, along with a Walgreens. Travelers seeking a little more quirk factor and a bigger pool could try the Adventure Inn.
The Courtyard is a mid-range Marriott property designed as a convenient modern stopover, with free airport shuttles and a decent line up of features. It's a solid overnight option for airport and business travelers seeking a smooth and easy stay pre- and post-flight, or while conducting business. Shuttles and breakfasts starting super early are a major plus for early morning departures and arrivals. Features include a fitness center, a nice pool and sun terrace, good business facilities, free Wi-Fi, and Centro restaurant and bar serving all meals. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and feature coffeemakers, mini-fridges, iPod docks, and Paul Mitchell toiletries. A major highlight is the great little strip of international eateries over the road, along with a Walgreens. Travelers seeking a little more quirk factor and a bigger pool could try the Adventure Inn.
The Hampton Inn & Suites is a modern mid-range stopover that offers free airport shuttles, a varied buffet breakfast guests love, a pretty outdoor pool, and a gym (though it’s teeny). The 100 spacious rooms come with microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, comfy bedding, and Neutrogena products, which all shape a solid and reliable option amongst the many airport hotel offerings in the area. While the location is fairly lackluster (it's five minutes to the international airport), there are chain restaurants and a casino within short walking distance. Guests generally leave impressed -- but don’t expect any local character or flair. Those seeking a more stylish and character-filled affair could try the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose, though rates will be higher.
The Hampton Inn & Suites is a modern mid-range stopover that offers free airport shuttles, a varied buffet breakfast guests love, a pretty outdoor pool, and a gym (though it’s teeny). The 100 spacious rooms come with microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, comfy bedding, and Neutrogena products, which all shape a solid and reliable option amongst the many airport hotel offerings in the area. While the location is fairly lackluster (it's five minutes to the international airport), there are chain restaurants and a casino within short walking distance. Guests generally leave impressed -- but don’t expect any local character or flair. Those seeking a more stylish and character-filled affair could try the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose, though rates will be higher.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
Nepenthe is a remote, modest seven-room hotel off the beaten track from the Arenal tourist circuit and just outside small-town El Castillo, close to the lake and the southwest slope of the volcano. It offers a choice of modest motel-like rooms in the main building or kitchenette-appointed cabins below. The hotel is too far to be convenient to La Fortuna's tourist hub, but it's within a 40-minute drive of the entrance to Arenal National Park and offers a slice of local tico culture. The unofficial hotel restaurant next door, Tres Cabras, serves seasonal fare; the pool has an excellent view of the lake; and treatments are available at a small, simple spa. Travelers who want a similar hotel closer to La Fortuna may want to check out the Hotel Cerro Azul just south of town -- though it lacks Nepenthe's pool and views.
This 13-room farm-hotel is in a league of its own for Arenal-area agritourism, and is well-suited to travelers interested in sustainable organic farming amid the rainforest. It's at least a 30-minute drive away from La Fortuna, making it inconvenient for those looking to explore off property. Rooms are large but relatively spartan, without TV and air-conditioning, but the guests who love birding and farming often don't seem to mind. Hotel El Silencio del Campo also has a working farm, but nicer rooms with TV and AC -- though it lacks Fina Luna Nueva's secluded rainforest setting.
This 13-room farm-hotel is in a league of its own for Arenal-area agritourism, and is well-suited to travelers interested in sustainable organic farming amid the rainforest. It's at least a 30-minute drive away from La Fortuna, making it inconvenient for those looking to explore off property. Rooms are large but relatively spartan, without TV and air-conditioning, but the guests who love birding and farming often don't seem to mind. Hotel El Silencio del Campo also has a working farm, but nicer rooms with TV and AC -- though it lacks Fina Luna Nueva's secluded rainforest setting.