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Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

3.0 star property
Family-friendly lodge with a full-service spa and free breakfast

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room
Poolside bar
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine
Outdoor pool, open 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, sun loungers
White Hawk Villa

Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Hot tub
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Laundry

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

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

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

House Economy - Shared Bathroom - Private Room

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Ceiling fan
5 bedrooms
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Living room
Laptop-compatible safe
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 4 Queen Beds

View all photos for Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

Superior Room, Mountain View

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 215 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

White Hawk Villa

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Free cribs/infant beds
2 bedrooms
Ceiling fan
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Living room
  • 215 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 King Beds, 2 Twin Beds and 2 Twin Trundle Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Free cribs/infant beds
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Eco-friendly toiletries
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 269 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Phil's Villa

Phil's Villa

Phil's Villa

Highlights

Yard
Balcony or patio
Ceiling fan
3 bedrooms
Eco-friendly toiletries
3 bathrooms
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 10
  • 3 Queen Beds

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includes taxes & fees
Jan 5 - Jan 6, 2025
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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

  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures - 13 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 17 min drive
  • Arenal Volcano - 17 min drive
  • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park - 26 min drive
  • La Fortuna Waterfall - 38 min drive

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Virgita Ristorante - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Río Lounge - ‬39 min drive
  • ‪Agua Ardiente Pool Bar - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Red Frog Coffee Roaster - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪North Fields Café - ‬32 min drive

About this property

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

Family-friendly lodge near Lake Arenal
Located close to Costa Rica Sky Adventures and La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails provides free cooked-to-order breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. Active travelers can enjoy horseback riding, hiking/biking, and ecotours at this lodge. Treat yourself to aromatherapy, reflexology, or a facial at the onsite spa. The on-site international cuisine family restaurant, El Jilguero, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as a playground and an arcade/game room.
Other perks at this lodge include:
  • An outdoor pool and a children's pool, with sun loungers
  • Free self parking
  • A roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), a TV in the lobby, and tour/ticket assistance
  • Smoke-free premises, luggage storage, and a foosball table
  • Guest reviews say great things the helpful staff, first-rate property condition, and location
Room features
All guestrooms at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails include comforts such as laptop-compatible safes.
More amenities include:
  • Eco-friendly toiletries and showers
  • Private yards, LED light bulbs, and coffee/tea makers

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • El Jilguero

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Ecotours
  • Foosball table
  • Full-service spa
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Spa tub
  • Table tennis
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground
  • Pool gate

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 2 meeting rooms

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • In the mountains
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Detox wraps
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Prenatal massages
  • Reflexology
  • Spa open daily
  • Swedish massages
  • Treatment room

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Pool access ramp on site
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • Built in 1992
  • Colonial architecture
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • LED lighting
  • Window screens

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
2 children, per adult, up to the age of 8 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 225 per vehicle (one-way, maximum occupancy 7)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is 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 have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool and a children's pool. Pool access is from 9:00 AM–10:00 PM.

How much does it cost to stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

As of Dec 22, 2024, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails on Dec 25, 2024 start from CA $205.22, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM.

What time is check-out at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails?

Check-out is at noon.

Does Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request. A fee of USD 225 per vehicle applies.

Where is Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails located?

This family-friendly La Fortuna lodge is located in a national park, 2.8 mi (4.6 km) from Lake Arenal, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Costa Rica Sky Adventures and Butterfly Conservatory. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and Ecotermales Fortuna are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 624 out of 787 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 131 out of 787 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 25 out of 787 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 4 out of 787 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 787 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.4/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This unique location allowed us to see and explore an area that was incredible
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful and rustic, excellent if thats what you like
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

linda

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great birding beautiful gardens and trails
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great staff - always helpful, Exceptional breakfast
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

SANJAY

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent place to stay in the middle of the forest. The view of the Volcano is mesmerizing. The Birds around the property are amazing. They put the food for the birds at 6.30 am and 1.30 pm, they forgot to put it in the morning when we were there. The birds still came looking for it as I was there from 5.30 am. Still the place was worth it. Reasonable breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Guinevere

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We truly enjoyed our experience. This was our second time at the Observatory. I would like to suggest handle bars on the showers. We came with our elderly parents and they were nervous to slip in the shower.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nilknarf

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mario

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

john

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

EDWARD

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful Gardens and trails
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sidney

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property! They need to advertise more as we would have stayed an additional night. We weren't aware of free guided hikes, spa (with great prices!), etc. Views are amazing!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pankaj M

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samuel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The place is magical. No A/C but it wasn’t too hot. The restaurant is decent and the views of the volcano are to die for. It’s a bud watcher’s paradise and the trails are beautiful. I would stay at this resort again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fabulous!
Exceptional service and comfort. Amazing birding throught the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Neil

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing view to Arenal Volcano, literally you have the volcano in front of you. Perfect choice to go relax maybe on a weekend and forget about stress and just connect with nature
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Subhodeep

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property has an excellent location surrounded by trails and and trails at the base of the volcano. The free guided hike was informative and a good way to learn to spot wildlife if not doing guide tours elsewhere (although be aware that advance reservations are recommended). The only downside of the location is that you are limited to onsite dining even if self-driving, and the food options are not great value for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Theresa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Tremendous vistas, birding, nature trails fantastic staff and a very cool welcome.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

gary

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marghrit, Worcester

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our stay was very pleasant, the hotel is on beautiful grounds, we arrived late at night , a portion the road leading to the hotel is not paved, breakfast was superb, you can have both the open buffet and a choice to order from their menu. We ended up having dinner 2 nights at the hotel and those were excellent as well. Very helpful staff that go above and beyond, Sergio was very helpful with his recommendations and directions. Lots of hummingbirds and wildlife that you can experience from your room. No AC but the ceiling fan was sufficient to keep up feeling comfortable. Would love to go again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Husong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Nice Experience of Nature and Birds
Great experience but room key constantly gave me problem. Room key has to be replaced 4 times. Restaurant food and drinks are great!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexander

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wildlife galore
Amazing location inside the NP. Road most unpaved getting there. Great balcony where you can see the birds and monkey. Very chilled out vibe with plenty of easy trials around. Shame that the pool wasn’t open and we were not notified, the kids were very disappointed. Also we left very early on the last day and missed out on breakfast as they didn’t tell us we could have a takeaway breakfast box. Overall a stunning place, beaming with wildlife.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Husong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Great experience but room key constantly gave me problem. Key has to be replaced 4 times Restaurant food and drink are great!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Liang

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My 7 yr old complained about no AC in the room but I am completely fine with it. It is high up in the mountain so felt a little cool even in the summer. View is beautiful because it is super close to the volcano. The lodge staff is very welcome and kind. Of course you’d be expecting bugs and flies in the washroom next day in the morning. But I call this nature, we would also be seeing monkeys within the hotel range. Driving up to the hotel is also fun as some roads are un-paved. My husband joked as we got a free ATV experience.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

General hotel information

Reasons to Book
Onsite Restaurant & Bar
Check-In Time
3:00 PM
Check-Out Time
12:00 PM
Star Rating
3.0