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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

3.0 star property
Family-friendly lodge with spa, near Arenal Volcano National Park

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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Terrace/patio
Exterior
Mountain view
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine

Overview of Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

9.4

Exceptional

Property highlights

  • Pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Free WiFi
  • Free parking
  • Spa
  • Restaurant
Map
22 km Oeste de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 1.7 km del Volcán Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007
Main amenities
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Full-service spa
  • Outdoor pool
  • Children's pool
  • Spa tub
  • 2 meeting rooms
  • Airport shuttle
  • Area shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Arcade/games room
Feel at home
  • Children stay free
  • Children's pool
  • Playground on site
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping

Room options

View all photos for House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 4 Queen Beds

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

  • 20 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

  • 20 sq m
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Single Beds and 2 Single Trundle Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • 25 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa

Phil's Villa

Phil's Villa

  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 10
  • 3 Queen Beds

About this area

What's nearby

  • In a national park
  • Lake Arenal - 11 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano - 17 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 17 min drive
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 21 min drive
  • Los Lagos Hot Springs - 27 min drive
  • Baldi Hot Springs - 28 min drive
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 38 min drive

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 50 min drive
  • San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.) - 45.7 miles/73.5 km
  • San José (SYQ-Tobías Bolaños Intl.) - 50.9 miles/81.9 km
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • Restaurante El Jilguero - 5 min walk

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers an airport shuttle (available 24 hours) for USD 170.00 per vehicle one way. You can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, body wraps or aromatherapy, and international cuisine is served at El Jilguero, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other features of this Colonial lodge include an outdoor pool, a bar/lounge and a hot tub.

Languages

English, Spanish

Cleaning and safety practices

Enhanced cleanliness measures

Disinfectant is used to clean the property
High-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected
Sheets and towels are washed at 60°C or hotter
Follows the industry cleaning and disinfection practices of Safe Travels (WTTC - Global)

Social distancing

Protective shields in place at main contact areas
Guest rooms kept vacant for 24 hours between stays
Social distancing measures in place

Safety measures

Personal protective equipment worn by staff
Temperature checks given to staff
Temperature checks available for guests
Masks are required at the property
Hand sanitiser provided
Enhanced food service safety measures are in place
This information is provided by our partners.

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 48 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in time from 3 PM until 10 PM
  • Minimum check-in age – 18
  • Check-out time is noon

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions

Special check-in instructions

  • The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
  • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Required at check-in

  • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
  • Government-issued photo ID may be required
  • Minimum check-in age is 18

Children

  • Up to 2 children (aged 8 years old and younger) stay free per registered adult when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
  • No cots (infant beds)

Pets

  • No pets or service animals allowed

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas

Parking

  • Free on-site self-parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site

Transfers

  • Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours a day)*

Off-site

  • Area shuttle*

Other information

  • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning 7 AM–9 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge

Travelling with children

  • Children stay for free (see details)
  • Children's pool
  • Playground
  • Pool gate

What to do

  • Ecotours
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Horse riding/hire
  • Table football
  • Ping pong
  • Bike rentals nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Zip-lining nearby
  • Hot springs nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Working away

  • 2 meeting rooms

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Pool loungers

Facilities

  • Built in 1992
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Library
  • Fireplace in reception
  • Television in common areas
  • An outdoor pool
  • Arcade/games room
  • Full-service spa
  • Hot tub
  • Massage/treatment rooms

Accessibility

  • Accessible bathroom (selected rooms)
  • In-room accessibility (selected rooms)
  • Roll-in shower (selected rooms)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Pool access ramp on site

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Ceiling fan
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Window screens

Sleep well

  • Bed sheets provided

What to enjoy

  • Balcony or patio
  • Garden

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Towels
  • Toilet paper

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe (laptop compatible)
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • LED light bulbs

Special features

Spa

Guests can pamper themselves with a trip to the on-site spa, which has 1 treatment room. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, Swedish massages and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is open daily.

Dining

El Jilguero – This family restaurant specialises in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fees & policies

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 170.00 per vehicle (one way)
  • Local area shuttle service is offered for an extra charge

Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)

  • Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Hygiene & cleanliness

This property advises that enhanced cleaning and guest safety measures are currently in place.

Disinfectant is used to clean the property; commonly touched surfaces are cleaned with disinfectant between stays; bed sheets and towels are laundered at a temperature of at least 60°C/140°F.

Social distancing measures are in place; staff at the property wear personal protective equipment; a shield is in place between staff and guests in main contact areas; periodic temperature checks are conducted on staff; temperature checks are available to guests; guests are provided with hand sanitiser; masks are required in public areas.

Enhanced food service safety measures are in place.

Each guestroom is kept vacant for a minimum of 24 hours between bookings.

This property affirms that it adheres to the cleaning and disinfection practices of Safe Travels (WTTC - Global).

Policies

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector on site.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and cash.

Also known as

Arenal Observatory Lodge La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Arenal Observatory La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory
Arenal Observatory Hotel La Fortuna De San Carlos
Arenal Observatory & Trails
Arenal Observatory Lodge Spa
Arenal Observatory Lodge Trails
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Lodge
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Lodge La Fortuna

Frequently asked questions

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
What are the cleanliness and hygiene measures currently in place at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
This property confirms that disinfectant is used to clean the property. Furthermore, guests are provided with hand sanitiser, social distancing measures are in place and staff are given personal protective equipment. Please note that this information has been provided by our partners.
Is there a pool at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
Yes, there's an outdoor pool and a children's pool. Guests have pool access from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Are pets allowed at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
Sorry, neither pets nor service animals are allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
Yes, there's free self parking.
Is an airport shuttle service offered by Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is USD 170.00 per vehicle one way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
You can check in from 3 PM - 10 PM. Check-out time is noon.
What is there to do at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails and nearby?
Have fun with on-site activities such as horse riding and hiking. Additional recreation on-site includes ecotours. Indulge in a treatment at the spa and soothe your senses in the hot tub. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails also has an outdoor pool and an arcade, as well as a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?
Yes, El Jilguero offers international cuisine.
Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails have any outdoor private spaces?
Yes, every room features a balcony or patio and a garden.
What's the area around Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails like?
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is located a short 15-minute walk from Chato Volcano.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Exceptional

Thank you for making our stay wonderful.
The Arenal Lodge and Observatory was amazing. The facilities are first rate and to be able to fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up to them as well was a gift. The service was top notch.
Adrianne, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

aylin, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing stay
I loved this hotel! Beautiful , clean and outstanding service !
Gelana, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing stay. Amazing views. Just have to remember you are in the jungle and bugs are just part of the journey. Highly recommend!!
Catherine, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

An amazing hidden gem! We almost gave up driving to this hotel due to the road conditions. But we are so glad we didn’t. Amazing trails, waterfall and breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano! Great dining experience for dinner. Prices are on par with US. Free breakfast was also amazing. Front desk personnel could be friendlier but maybe Carlos was having a rough day. He is probably better suited for a non customer facing role.
Alexander, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

This was a beautiful paradise with amazing views of the volcano, plenty of bird watching, and nice trails. The free guided hike was a lot of fun, and the facial at the spa was relaxing.
Jennifer, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

First international family trip
I picked the Arenal Observatory and Lodge for our first international family trip and it didn’t disappoint. My kids are three and five, but there was plenty to do for them. The playground saw a lot of action, as did the chess/checker tables. The hotel assisted in booking transportation to and from the San Jose airport, and made sure the proper car seats were provided for my kids. We aLeo asked the hotel to book a driver to take us into Fortuna for the morning and we ended up asking him to come back the next day for another guided adventure. By the end of the trip, my daughter was on a first name basis with Pablo, one of the gentlemen working in the hotel restaurant and would ask for him each meal. We had a fantastic experience and would recommend this property to anyone looking for a family friendly hotel in Costa Rica.
Rachel, 4-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

Myriam, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The property was beautiful and the views of the volcano amazing. Large, clean and spacious room, attentive and friendly staff, tasty food and plenty of options for trails to hike. So many birds and animals to view. A perfect stay.
Sandra, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

The Place is Amazing! Staff was great. Thank you Pablo for your help and great service. Pura Vida !!!
Marco A., 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review