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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 travelers

Popular amenities

  • Airport transfer
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (12)

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

Feel at home (6)

  • Children stay free
  • Children's pool
  • Playground on site
  • Private bathroom
  • Garden
  • Terrace
$135 nightly
The total price is $153
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total with taxes and fees

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 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
  • 269 sq ft
  • 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
  • 215 sq ft
  • 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
  • 215 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Twin Beds and 2 Twin 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

Family Villa | Terrace/patio

Family Villa

  • Mountain view
  • 215 sq ft
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed

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$230 nightly
The price is $259
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total with taxes and fees
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About the neighborhood

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
  • Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) - 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
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪North Fields Café - ‬32 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 travelers.

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 (8 years old and younger) stay free, per registered adult, when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
    • No cribs (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • No pets or service animals allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

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

Transfers

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

Offsite

    • 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

Traveling with children

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

What to do

  • Ecotours
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Horse riding/rentals
  • Foosball
  • Table tennis
  • Bicycle rentals nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Ziplining 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 lobby
  • Television in common areas
  • An outdoor pool
  • Arcade/game 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 elevator (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
  • Yard

Freshen up

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower only
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • 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 onsite 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 specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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)
  • 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, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing 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 to 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, pets and service animals aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Yes, there's free self parking.

Is 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 onsite activities like horseback riding and hiking. Additional recreation onsite 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 yard.

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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 free breakfast was a nice touch each morning, with many guests praising its variety and quality. (32 reviews)
  • The spa treatment was fantastic and highly recommended by multiple guests. (11 reviews)
  • The pool was a highlight, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for guests. (9 reviews)
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From real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

View
Service staff
Volcano
Room
Trails
Restaurant
Wildlife
Birds
Food
Location

Reviews

Verified

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

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

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

8/10 Very good

Amazing room and view
ARUNKUMAR, 3-night trip
Verified

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

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

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

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

10/10 Exceptional

The place is very well laid out, with many accessible trails. However, the meals are expensive compared to other lodges we've visited. The location is excellent for birdwatching; there's a bird feeder installed, which is a real plus. However, the feeder is made of metal rods, which isn't very aesthetically pleasing for photography. It would be beneficial to redesign the feeder to incorporate natural branches, as other lodges do, which would allow for much better bird photos.
Frédérick, 2-night trip
Verified

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

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

10/10 Exceptional

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

10/10 Exceptional

The first thing you notice at Arenal Observatory Lodge is the spectacular grounds! There are many opportunities for gentle walks and hikes on the property. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The rooms had everything we needed but were basic, not luxurious.
Austin, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

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

10/10 Exceptional

Spectacular View. Nice staff. Decent restaurant. The only complaint is lack of sound proofing.
Lili, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Beautiful lodge with outstanding staff who went the extra mile at all times. Miles of trails, perfect for hiking and birding
Ian, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

We liked tye beauty of nature,the views,wildlife,food and friendly service of everyone.
Spilman, 2-night trip