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Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin

Mississauga, Canada
5 posts
Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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HI!

We are planning a two night stay in the Arenal area as part of our honeymoon in either November or December. My wife has done a LOT of research and narrowed down our hotel choices to The Springs and Royal Corin. We were originally planning on finding a more budget-friendly place here but since it's our honeymoon, we want to treat ourselves, within reason. Our dilemma is that we can book the Master Suite at the Royal Corin for much less than a basic room at The Springs. The Springs look amazing though and we know we'd love being able to walk out of our room and experience them. We have ruled out Tabacon for a variety of reasons so it's not in the running for us.

Anyone been to both? If it helps here's our list of pros and cons for both...

Royal Corin PROS:

*Great price on a Master Suite - What an amazing room it would be!

*Package includes breakfasts and a dinner and lunch per stay.

*Package includes a 30 min massage and facial per guest per stay.

*Closer to town.

*We understand Eco Termales and Baldi are close should we wish to experience more authentic, natural hot springs...

Royal Corin CONS:

*No "real" hot springs despite their glamourous looking pools.

*Some say it's too modern but we will be experiencing "Pura Vida" style lodges and jungle environments in other areas during our stay.

The Springs PROS:

*Hot Springs at your doorstep!

*More of a jungle environment.

*Reputation

*$115 spa credit included with special package.

The Springs CONS:

*More expensive/ High price for basic room

*Farther from town

*Breakfast not included

*We have heard about the "caged animals" but learned from friends that they are kept humanely and were rescued from being euthanized!

We both like the looks of both hotels so we're almost at the point of flipping a coin. We like the location and look of Royal Corin, especially that pimped out Master Suite but worry we'll be missing out on the hot spring experience. We plan on zip lining at dining at Don Rufino's one night so our time is tight over our 2 night stay. If only we could stay longer and try both hotels!

Thanks again for your help Trip Advisors! Mucho Gracias! :)

San Jose, Costa Rica
Level Contributor
78,946 posts
143 reviews
46 helpful votes
1. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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I will take CORIN without thinking to much...a lot better deal..and not as fake resort as the other one...

Feel sorry for poor animals.. . we humans are full of excuses..and they have no choice!

roadadvisor

Canada
Level Contributor
8,099 posts
65 reviews
46 helpful votes
2. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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While I agree with 99.9% of roadadvisors advice I do not understand why he does not get this

*We have heard about the "caged animals" but learned from friends that they are kept humanely and were rescued from being euthanized!

To be honest I have not stayed at the Royal Corin but the Springs is one of the best hotel experiences I have had anywhere - not just CR.

San Jose, Costa Rica
Level Contributor
3,528 posts
3. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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I have stayed at both and The Springs is really the best choice, is it so luxurious, the rooms, the gardens and the hot springs are just amaizing. One of the best hotels in the country. In the other hand that room at Royal Corin is just amaizing however for your honeymoon you would want the best and that is The Springs Resort. And yes the "caged animals" are kept humanely and were rescued from being euthanized.

Grecia, Costa Rica
Destination Expert
for Province of Alajuela
Level Contributor
8,761 posts
28 reviews
16 helpful votes
4. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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Another vote for The Springs. The Royal Corin does not do anything for me.

As to the caged animals, not to beat a dead horse (pun), but they were not only rescued from euthanasia, they are in an active breeding program releasing endangered species back into the wild.

The animals are not kept near the people as has been suggested before, they are not on display around the restaurant for people to gawk at while eating as has been suggested before.

The hotel and the corporate entity behind them should be applauded for the good work they do and "doing" where many corporations might turn a blind eye. They are one of the exceptions, and my hat goes off to them.

There is a big difference in having an opinion, and twisting truth. I am not going to start an old argument, not worth it, but that's my 2 cents.

Cheers

Edited: 12 years ago
San Jose, Costa Rica
Level Contributor
78,946 posts
143 reviews
46 helpful votes
5. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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So nice to live in a country that every body can have a nice decent opinion...and so great for us natives to be able to read opinions ...even that some actions are not part of our culture...

For us maybe to have a parrot in our house is funny and nice...is not nice for us to see a foreign corporations showing alot of poor animals...under some funny excuses...that is not love for animals that is to make money out of them!

Animals in a country like our country most be FREE...no funny excuses...and the corporation laughing all the way to the bank!

But again is so nice to live in Costa Rica...my 2 cents!

roadadvisor

6. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin

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Naranjo, Costa Rica
Level Contributor
602 posts
36 reviews
82 helpful votes
7. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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The rooms at the Corin might be nice, but it is a high rise that sticks out like a sore thumb in the area, and really ruined the neighborhood.

Mississauga, Canada
5 posts
8. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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Thanks everybody! We're going with The Springs! We have a feeling we will love Costa Rica so perhaps we can experience Royal Corin another time.

One quick question while I'm posting... Does anyone know how late the hot spring pools are open at The Springs? Since we will only have 2 nights there we will want to take full advantage and plan our outside tours accordingly.

Pura Vida!

San Jose, Costa Rica
Level Contributor
3,528 posts
9. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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Great choice. They are normally open until 10pm

Arenal Volcano area
Level Contributor
238 posts
5 reviews
10. Re: Really Torn Between The Springs and Royal Corin
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If you stay at Royal Corin still have the choice to enhoy the springs if you get the pass for two days and one dinner for $ 65.00 per person.

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