Hotel Lomas del Volcán, Arenal/La Fortuna

Pros

• Guests can relish in a truly tranquil location on the hillside of Chato Volcano, entirely surrounded by nature.
• Next door is the hiking trail that takes you up to the lagoon atop Chato Volcano, less than a mile (1.5 km) away. 
• The hotel has two on-site restaurants, one serving all meals and the other offering lunch and dinner, plus a very impressive wine menu. 
• Each room is in a private wooden cabin with two balconies, one featuring volcano views. 
• The hotel's sustainability efforts and program feature projects like tree planting that guests can join and an environmental education initiative at a local school.
• The grounds are extensive, but you can use a complimentary shuttle service via golf carts to get around the property.
• The outdoor pool features an accessibility ramp, a waterfall, and a covered hot tub. 

Cons

• Because you'll be right on the edge of the national park, getting to the property requires driving a short distance along a gravel road.
• Cellular service is somewhat spotty on the property.
• Bungalows have a few steps, so they're not appropriate for guests with limited mobility.
• Travelers may encounter a few bugs (especially during the rainy season).

Authenticity

Hotel Lomas del Volcán offers an instant connection to Costa Rica: Locals craft all the wood furniture and decor in the rooms and throughout the hotel on-site. And because the property was originally a farm (its nutrient-rich soils resulting from the volcano's 1968 eruption), you'll find a greenhouse growing veggies and fruit for the hotel's restaurants.

Location

Staying at Hotel Lomas del Volcán means a little give-and-take, as you'll be beside the national park boundary and almost next to the dormant Chato Volcano but a little further from all the action. Getting to the property requires an uphill trek along a gravel road, but everything is within easy driving distance once you're on the main road. From that point, downtown La Fortuna is just a six-minute drive (or a 30-minute walk), and the national park entrance is about 30 minutes by car.

Rooms & Bathrooms

You'll have your choice of standard and deluxe rooms, all set in standalone wooden cabins with two balconies, one facing Arenal Volcano. All the wood furniture and details are made by hand, creating quite a relaxing atmosphere in the Costa Rican jungle. All units feature air-conditioning, minifridges, and modern bathrooms. Upgrade to a deluxe bungalow for more contemporary furnishings and a private Jacuzzi tub on the balcony with volcano views.

Sustainability

In addition to holding a Certificate of Tourism Sustainability from the Costa Rican Tourism Board, Hotel Lomas del Volcán features a rich sustainability program with unique initiatives not seen at other properties. The property partners with a reforestation project along the Los Congos trail (which guests can participate in), "adopted" a local school to provide environmental education to the students, and established itself as a non-smoking property (guests can only smoke in the parking lot). And to top it off, you're making an impact, too, as $50 of each booking goes toward the hotel's sustainability initiatives.

Wildlife

From the hotel's cabins, travelers can spot exotic animals like toucans, hummingbirds, and colorful butterflies. Travelers can also take a short nature hike around the property on a nature trail and spot tropical birds, howler monkeys, frogs, and iguanas.

Amenities

Hotel Lomas del Volcán has a large, lagoon-like pool surrounded by well-maintained gardens. There's an excellent view of Arenal Volcano from the pool area. Guests can order drinks and snacks from the pool bar and relax on the poolside patio. Adjacent to the pool is a regular (not hot spring) Jacuzzi. There's also a yoga platform in the forest and a bookshelf where travelers can borrow a good read. Also on-site is a small spa with a menu of massages and beauty treatments.

Family-Friendliness

Despite welcoming children, the hotel doesn't offer special amenities or dedicated activities for kids. Cribs and extra beds are not available in the bungalows. Those traveling with families should opt for the bungalow with two queen beds, as it's the only class of room with more than one bed. 

Other Highlights

Hotel Lomas del Volcán offers a full buffet breakfast included in the room rate. There's a bar/lounge surrounded by gardens; it features a lunch menu and a full bar. The hotel's restaurant, Restaurante Hojarasca, has high ceilings and massive windows looking out at the surrounding forest. It's open for dinner and serves local Costa Rican and international dishes.