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My criteria for a hotel; please help

toronto
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467 posts
17 reviews
21 helpful votes
My criteria for a hotel; please help
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I am in my 20's and will be travelling with my husband and maybe another couple and we are looking to do as many adventure activities as possible in our 5 night stay in Arenal. We can't seem to decide on a hotel and keep going back and forth. Here are our requirements:

1) Decent and inexpensive onsite restaurant. We will not have a car and don't want to waste money taking a taxi back and forth daily. We are hoping to be able to get a decent meal for under $20 per person

2) Beautiful grounds with room to explore the grounds with at least one possible trail (the trails at the Observatory Lodge are great!). Not so huge that going to breakfast/dinner is a long hike.

3) Nice sized pool and ideally hot springs (but hot springs are a nice to have not a 'must')

4) Budget is a maximum of $150 per room per night

5) View of the volcano (not necessarily from each room but from at least a few spots in the hotel)

Any suggestions?

La Fortuna de San...
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2,002 posts
166 reviews
64 helpful votes
1. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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I would say these are your two best bets:

Silencio del Campo: http://www.hotelsilenciodelcampo.com/

*great hot springs on site plus walking distance to 4 others, small trail on site

Los Lomas del Volcan: http://www.lomasdelvolcan.com/

*5 minutes via taxi from town but you feel like you're in the middle of the jungle, great food, great pool & jacuzzi

Puerto Morelos...
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587 posts
46 reviews
40 helpful votes
2. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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IMO Silencio del Campo meets all your criteria.

1) The food in their restaurant is really good and at a reasonable price. You can definitely spend less than $20 per person for a dinner. if you want to take a taxi to town, it's only $6-7 each way so it's not expensive either if you split it with your friends.

2) Beautiful ground. The staff members are so hardworking and you'll see them cleaning and collecting fallen leaves all the time.

3) Pool is not huge but good enough for a dip or if you want to relax by the pool. They have 4 (or 5?) small hot springs with different water temperature. I love soaking in the hot spring and smell the fragrance of the flowers carried by the gentle breeze.

4) We were there in October and room was around $145 per night. Check out their facebook page. They sometimes have deals.

5) All rooms have view of the volcano.

Extra) We stayed at #18. It's away from the road so it's more quiet. Grab a cup of coffee and you can sit on the front porch enjoying the view of volcano (if it's not cloudy). Customer service is excellent. And don't forget the spa. It's highly recommended.

San Jose, Costa Rica
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78,946 posts
143 reviews
46 helpful votes
3. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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Arenal volcano lodge and gardens...deal directvwith hotel...you do not need any midlle person or company..

Roadadvisor

toronto
Level Contributor
467 posts
17 reviews
21 helpful votes
4. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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Thank you for all the replies. All of these are actually on my list thus far. El Silencio is the highest on my budget right now (it is $160 per night). I also have Hotel Kokoro and Arenal Springs on my initial list. I really like what the Observatory has to offer, but I think the grounds may be a bit too large.

Another question, do these hotels offer any entertainment in the evenings (even just a bar)? Or do most people retreat back to their rooms for the night?

Arenal Volcano area
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238 posts
5 reviews
5. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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Los Lagos, standard room around $ 139 with taxes and breakfst included. Trails, hot springs....

Puerto Morelos...
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587 posts
46 reviews
40 helpful votes
6. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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I don't think CR hotels offer evening entertainments like all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. There's a bar by the hot springs at El Silencio. I don't know their hours as it was closed when I was there. But since the hotel is just 5 mins away from town, you can always take a taxi and back. Lots of young people hanging out in the evening and party.

Not sure which month you're planning to go, Silencio offer specials from time to time.

San Jose, Costa Rica
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78,946 posts
143 reviews
46 helpful votes
7. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help
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No entertaiment at most Costa Rica hotels...we like to hear the natural ORCHESTRA...by frogs...grasshoppers...monkies ...dogs...Geckos...etc-...that is the real thing!

roadadvisor

8. Re: My criteria for a hotel; please help

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