Laguna Arenal was special The bungalow was beautiful and well appointed with a spectacular view of the lake. And the breakfast was extraordinary. If you’re planning a trip to the… read more Volcano or Fortuna do not do it at night. The road and drivers are beyond extremely dangerous

  Who did these people pay to write the good reviews? First, you cannot get there without 4wheel drive. The road up is unbelievably bad. Next, the rooms… read more are smelly and the bedding stinks to high heaven. The food is greasy and overcooked. Ugh. The owners don’t seem to care.

  We chose Hotel Laguna for the views and the bright contemporary cottages. Everything else we’d looked at seemed dark and outdated, and with views like this, who wants heavy curtains… read more and dark wood closing in on you?

We were SO happy this is where we ended up! The cottages are gorgeous – walls of windows, a deep deck on which to sit and watch the lake in the morning with your coffee. Everything is smooth, clean and modern, with a large bright bathroom, and the service is amazing.

This is much more like a bed and breakfast, than a hotel. Julio is a professionally trained chef from Europe, and his meals are artwork. We had dinner there twice, as well as the breakfasts. This was the best food we had throughout all of Costa Rica. And don’t miss Ana’s Colombian "roasted milk" dessert! We really enjoyed talking with them, I feel like we have new friends. From the coffee, to the wines, to the gluten-free pancakes Julio made for me, meals here were a treat. And with the gorgeous room with postcard views, and the wonderful hosts, this was a perfect stay.

Rainy season has begun, so Ana brought us umbrellas to our cottage (out in the pouring rain herself!),so we could escape without getting drenched – just one example of the thoughtful and excellent service.

  Three nights at Hotel Laguna wasn’t enough. The views are breathtaking with unbelievable sunsets. There are just six bungalows, so you rarely see other guest and you almost feel like… read more you have the place to yourself. Sliding glass doors on three sides allowed us to enjoy the fresh air all night. Private, clean, and comfortable; each bungalow has a view of the lake. Anna and her team provide a delicious breakfast each morning (no need to stop for lunch until mid-afternoon). We had dinner here one night and it was also very good. There are a few other restaurants just down the hill from the hotel. We had a great experience at these restaurants as well (bring a small flashlight for the walk back to the hotel). We loved this hotel so much it was hard to leave. Future trips to Costa Rica will always include a stay at Hotel Laguna.

  From the moment we were greeted by the warm and affable hosts Anna and her son (and the chef) Julio, we knew we had stumbled upon a treasure, and our… read more three night stay confirmed that initial impression.
The rooms, which are actually six separate and modern cabins, are very well appointed, beautiful to look at and comfortable. The views of Lake Arenal and the surrounding area from the moutainside perches are outstanding and breathtaking, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
If you are at all interested in bird watching, this is the place! In our stay, we were able to spot and positively identify over 40 species of birds from the comfort of our balcony or the balcony down at the end of the main building. My friend went on a guided bird tour in Mistical and saw 4 or 5 different birds and was walking up and down the paths, while at the Hotel Laguna Arenal, we were able to observe the bird life from the comfort of our balcony, wine glasses close at hand.
Julio, the chef, has worked and studied at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Amsterdam and has worked a few years at restaurants in Barcelona, and it shows. As someone who worked in the gourmet food and restaurant business for 25 years myself, I recognized the committment, intelligence, creativity and passion evident in Julio the moment he set the first dish in front of us. Both Julio and Anna are very warm and friendly people as well, and we engaged in several long conversations with them, much to our delight.
If you are planning a trip to Arenal and are looking for a home base to which you can return from a day’s hiking or soaking in thermal springs, look no further than the Hotel Laguna Arenal. I have stayed at several resorts and hotels in the Arenal/La Fortuna region, and this place, with its views, its style, its food and its hosts surpasses them all.

  This was such a beautiful find, and Julio and his mother are oh so lovely! Big smiling faces and genuine guidance throughout. We in fact skipped on adventures and extended… read more our stay so we could keep waking up to this view (and closing our days with it)! The rooms are wonderful little nests in the sky, and so peaceful. Also, tip– make sure you take at least one dinner with Julio– I am not very easily blown away (I think), but Julio’s dishes were beautiful and delicate and delectable! One of the places I will mark down as a sanctuary for future visits.

  Highlight of our Costa Rica trip! Beautiful and tropical. Hotel owner is welcoming and always available. Arrived late our first night and had a romantic personalized meal overlooking the lake.… read more Breakfast is amazing. When eating here, just say “yes”! Everything is great. The amazing stay was worth it for breakfast and dinners alone, also the view alone. 100% recommend. Lots of options in the area but this is worth the travel. Enjoyed myself more here than any 5 star resort.

  Three nights at Hotel Laguna wasn’t enough. The views are breathtaking with unbelievable sunsets. There are just six bungalows, so you rarely see other guest and you almost feel like… read more you have the place to yourself. Sliding glass doors on three sides allowed us to enjoy the fresh air all night. Private, clean, and comfortable; each bungalow has a view of the lake. Anna and her team provide a delicious breakfast each morning (no need to stop for lunch until mid-afternoon). We had dinner here one night and it was also very good. There are a few other restaurants just down the hill from the hotel. We had a great experience at these restaurants as well (bring a small flashlight for the walk back to the hotel). We loved this hotel so much it was hard to leave. Future trips to Costa Rica will always include a stay at Hotel Laguna. More

  I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to stay around the La Fortuna/Arenal area. Absolutely stunning view! Going to sleep and waking up with such breathtaking views is totally… read more amazing.

The owners are the best hosts you can wish for. Very friendly and always ready to help.

We will be back!!!

  Our stay in this Bungalow was magical! We enjoyed the most incredible sunsets from the balcony, with spectacular views and magnificent birds right in front!
The Bungalow itself was very… read more modern, clean and really had the best view around the lake! The whole hotel area was carefully thought of, and well taken care of. After our traveling in the jungle, this was the best possible place to relax and cool down.
The Owner Bastian was so very nice, he even showed us around and always had great stories and helpful tips for us.
Breakfast was incredibly good, with self made yoghurt and the staff was absolutely charming!

We would love to come again and recommend this place to anybody who loves nature and quiet!
Thank you for everything and all the very best! More