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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

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

Choose dates to view prices

Nestled near Lake Arenal, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails offers a serene retreat with free breakfast, a garden, and an on-site spa. Take in the views from the terrace or enjoy activities like hiking/biking and horseback riding. With high-speed WiFi in public areas, an outdoor pool with sun loungers for relaxing afternoons.
VIP Access

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by guests
Top-rated by travellers

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
  • Free parking
  • Free Wi-Fi

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Full-service spa
  • Outdoor pool
  • Children's pool
  • Hot tub
  • 2 meeting rooms
  • Airport shuttle
  • Area shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Arcade/games room

Feel at home (6)

  • Children's pool
  • Playground on-site
  • Private bathroom
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
The current price is HK$869
HK$982 total
includes taxes & fees
7 Sept - 8 Sept

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 9 of 9 rooms

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a balcony with a table and chairs, and a view of greenery outside.

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(33 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • 25 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

A covered outdoor seating area with two people seated, overlooking a lush landscape with a mountain in the background.

Superior Room, Mountain View

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(34 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

A room with a large window offering a view of a mountain.

White Hawk Villa

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Mountain view
  • 20 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Single Beds and 2 Single Trundle Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa + Waterfall

A hotel room with a bed, a lamp, a window with a mountain view, and a towel on the bed.

Phil's Villa + Waterfall

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Mountain view
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 10
  • 3 Queen Beds

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

A lodge with a covered porch, a wooden deck, and a stone pathway leading to the entrance.

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(6 reviews)
  • Lake view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Villa

Terrace/patio

Family Villa

  • Mountain view
  • 20 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Room

  • Sleeps 8

Room

  • Sleeps 4

Room

  • Sleeps 6

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9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 1,545 reviews
The price is HK$1,092
HK$1,233 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Aug - 30 Aug
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About the area

Map
22 km Oeste de la Fortuna de San Carlos, 1.7 km del Volcán Arenal, La Fortuna, Alajuela, 21007

What's nearby

  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 48 min drive
  • San José (SJO-Juan Santamaría Intl.) - 45.9 miles/73.8 km
  • Airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪Virgita Ristorante - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Baldi Premium Bar - ‬29 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬27 min drive

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

  • When you stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Lake Arenal and Costa Rica Sky Adventures. Guests can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, aromatherapy or reflexology, and international cuisine is served at El Jilguero, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An outdoor pool, a bar/lounge and a hot tub are other highlights at this Colonial lodge. The helpful staff and overall property condition get great marks from fellow travellers.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 48 rooms
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is noon
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
    • Front desk staffed during limited hours
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE

Required at check-in

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

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)
DONE

Pets

    • No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

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

Transfers

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

Off-site

    • Area shuttle*
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning 6:30 AM–8:30 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
  • Horse riding 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 at reception
  • Television in common areas
  • An outdoor pool
  • Arcade/games room
  • Full-service spa
  • Hot tub
  • Massage/treatment rooms
  • Colonial architecture

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Pool access ramp on site

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Ceiling fan
  • Window screens

Sleep well

  • Bed sheets provided

What to enjoy

  • Balcony or patio
  • Garden

Freshen up

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower only
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels
  • Toilet paper

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe (laptop compatible)
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Uses some LED lighting

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. Open daily.

Fees & policies

Refundable deposits

  • Deposit: USD 200 per accommodation, per night

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of USD 225 per vehicle (one-way. Maximum occupancy 7)
  • 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

Policies

This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
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.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover

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.

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 225 per vehicle one-way.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 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.

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Reviews

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

9.6

Staff & service

9.6

Property conditions & facilities

Guest review summary

What guests liked

  • The restaurant served delicious food with great service and offered excellent views. (75 reviews)
  • The complimentary breakfast was delicious and a nice touch each morning. (34 reviews)
  • The spa treatment was fantastic and highly recommended by multiple guests. (12 reviews)
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From real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

View
Service staff
Volcano
Room
Trails
Restaurant
Wildlife
Birds
Location
Food

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The hotel was fantastic. Spotlessly clean. The free wildlife tour was excellent and we were lucky to see Armadillos. The pool and jacuzzi were lovely too. Would definitely recommend.
Jason, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Between the amount of wildlife I saw while there, the short hike to a beautiful waterfall, and the just simply stunning views, and the friendly staff.. There really isn't much not to like here.
John, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This is an AMAZING place to stay. I highly would recommend it and pray that I can return. The staff is great, the location is wonderful, and the grounds are beautiful. There is a restaurant that is fantastic and everything you need is on site. 20 out of 10 is my score.
Tammy, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The Hotel Arenal Observatory is a privilege location at the bottom of the Arenal Volcano.Not other hotel in the area can beat this. Besides the trails are for everyone and the views are gorgeous. All the staff are so helpful,polite and with the intention and great desire for us to know their country.We will come back, hopefully in the near future with other members of our family. I will highly recommend this hotel if you want to reconnect with nature, feel peace, breath clean air and just feel peace surrounded by the multi diversity of fauna and flora of this magical place..
Juan Francisco, 6-night trip
Verified review

6/10 Good

Overall a great place to stay. We enjoyed the hiking trails and pool (though really could only use the hot tub as the pools were too cold/not heated). However, we were extremely turned off by the gate where they questioned where we were going every time we left which felt intrusive and completely inappropriate. They also seemed to try to charge us twice (knowingly) for a tour which was very dishonest and unfortunately similar to other places we visited in the touristy area of Arenal.
Megan, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This place was exactly what we were looking for - it was right in the heart of the National Park and tucked away from the flashy touristy part of La Fortuna. The property and staff were lovely. 10/10 recommend this for your next vacation.
Kennan, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Friendly staff at check-in. Great view from our room. Nice tours.
xiang, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

It was a wonderful stay. Clean, great bed, attentive and helpful staff, food was excellent, massage was great too!
Todd, 4-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

It was such a wonderful experience. Everyone is so nice and friendly! Great view !
sebnem, 2-night trip
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Amazing room and view
ARUNKUMAR, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Fantastic rooms and great location with multiple daily feedings of the local bird population. Beautiful property and walking trails. Easy check in and helpful staff.
Nils, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Clean rooms and excellent service from all.
gary, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Very clean, friendly & helpful staff. Wonderful gardens, hiking trails & plethora of animals.
jessica, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Yes the staff was great!
Gregory, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great place to stay. The trails were amazing.
CHRISTINE, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The rooms were very clean and spacious. The food was great. The trails around the resort let you be a part of nature.
Kurt, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The hotel property is beautiful and the hotel service was amazing. There is so much to do at this hotel!
Todd, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

First class experiences. The staff were wonderful.
ron, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Views, wild life and trails. Loved this place. No air conditioning, but you don’t need it unless you are very particular about temperature. It is very property. The road for 3 km is very bumpy.
puneet, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This place is a birder’s paradise. They have every tropical habitat you could want on the back trails, and proper guides to spot the birds. The rooms are very good, the front desk staff was charming. The views are spectacular. The feeders are jammed with birds. Only negative was that we were almost totally rained off for 24 hours, but that’s what can happen in a rainforest. I already want to return.
Conor, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Awesome views, friendly staff and excellent breakfast
Heather, 4-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful property with stunning views and scenic trails. The restaurant is convenient, though the food quality could be improved.
Liza, 1-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Birding is spectacular. The grounds and trails are amazing. So many plants and animals. Beautiful views. Rooms are basic but clean. Food at the restaurant for dinner is average but service was consistently great. Breakfast was better. Overall service was excellent.
Jason, 2-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Everything is amazing! Wildlife, facilities, hiking, staff. Second time staying here. Love it.
Alejandro, 3-night trip
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Amazing location, excellent staff and delicious food. A little expensive but well worth it.
Jean-luc, 2-night trip