The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal, Arenal/La Fortuna
Sprawling luxury resort with five restaurants, hot springs, a spa, and an outdoor adventure center.
This hotel was a highlight of our trip. Very family friendly and a lot of on-site experiences.
Estevan is the best! Service is the best I have ever had Most beautiful propery!
Fantastic property. Would have loved to stay here longer as they are a semi all inclusive resort and pur guide had us booked on a tour... Read more
wish we could have stayed here longer. I would move in permanently if I could haha Sprawling property with tons of resort exclusive activities mom and... Read more
Top notch hotel set up in a gorgeous park. Everything is superb including different restaurants. But pricy.
Overview
Kimkim's Take
- The property is enormous—set across 165 acres—and comes with its own outdoor adventure center, complete with kayaking, horseback riding, river tubing, fishing, and more.
- Enjoy soaking in three areas of on-site hot springs, which feature pools ranging from 83 to 104°F, swim-up bars, waterfalls, volcano views, and terraces with sun loungers.
- Families and small groups will appreciate the large, multi-bedroom suites or villas, some with private pools, hot tubs, and/or kitchens and living rooms.
- Take your meals at one of the five restaurants or six bars, many offering beautiful dining areas with Arenal Volcano views.
- The onsite spa features a large gym and extensive treatment menu utilizing natural ingredients from the area, including volcanic clay, bamboo cane, and coffee.
- Despite being on a hillside, the property has only one building with elevators, so getting around can be tricky and steep, but you can always call for a shuttle.
- Keep in mind that the hot springs and adventure center are open for day use, so there will likely be non-hotel guests using the facilities.
- Of all recommended hotels in the area, this one is the furthest away from the big sites (downtown La Fortuna, the national park, etc.). Though part of its appeal, head's up that you'll need to drive or hire a taxi/transfer if you want to explore the area on your own.
Additional Notes From Brittany
The Springs Resort & Spa has its claims to fame, featured on different reality shows, but what makes this accommodation special is its high-quality Costa Rican experience—which you can enjoy without ever leaving the property. The resort is overflowing with things to do, and I must admit, I was envious of the guests enjoying it all. A lot stood out to me, but the hot springs and adventure center were definitely the highlights. In particular, the hotel takes you down the mountain to Arenal Rio, where you'll find Adirondak lounge chairs, cliffside hot springs, a restaurant, and several other activities—all still within the resort.Authenticity
The Springs Resort & Spa created a mini version of Costa Rica within its vast 165-acre property, on a mountain ridge overlooking the Arenal Volcano and Arenal River Valley. Its environment allows the property to host an entire adventure center onsite, where you can partake in all the activities the country is known for, including fishing, hiking, river rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.Location
The resort can provide so much space and unique amenities because it's set further away from all the main sites. Thanks to the incredible views and proximity to Arenal Volcano, it doesn't feel that way. Still, you'll be a 20-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna and 25 minutes from the national park in one direction and La Fortuna Waterfall in the other.Rooms & Bathrooms
There are far too many room options to list here, so let's just say you certainly have your pick of configurations and perks! Even the most standard units have balconies with volcano views and hammocks, plus air conditioning, minifridges, and marbled bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs. You can upgrade to multi-bedroom suites that feel like apartments or to actual apartments in the form of villas, many offering private pools, hot tubs, kitchens, multiple terraces, outdoor showers, and golf carts for getting around.
Wildlife
Few resorts in the area can match The Spring Resort's opportunities for wildlife viewing. Take a stroll alongside the half-mile shoreline of the Arenal River and keep your eyes out for the bright plummages of native birds in the canopy. For a guided experience, you can turn to Club Rio, which offers guided night walks, and a wildlife sanctuary home to wide range of rescued animals, including ocelots, sloths, and various birds.
Amenities
During your stay, you'll have an impressive collection of pools to choose from, with three dedicated areas and 28 pools on the property. Many are fed directly by the mineral hot-springs, and certain pools are equipped with features such as accessible entries, water slides, or poolside bars and restaurants. There are two spas on the property, offering a full range of traditional spa services, along with access to to a sauna, steam room, and large gym space. Several room types have elevator service, but the sprawling hillsides and many stairs throughout the property may prove challenging for guests with limited mobility.
Family-Friendliness
Travelers with children have loved this resort, due to the exceptional range of activities offered - wildlife tours, river recreation, dozens of pools, a game room, mini-golf, and restaurant's with dedicated kid's menus. Children of all ages are welcome, and parents are able to request cribs, extra beds, and games.
Other Highlights
The property's Club Rio and Jungle Cat Sanctuary are two unique highlights you won't find at any other accommodations; you can really do it all right at The Springs Resort! And when hungry, you have your choice of multiple bars and eateries, 11 in total. These include an incredible fine-dining restaurant with a mountaintop dining room lined with windows and a poolside grill overlooking the jungle canopy.Sustainability
You'll find a special wildlife sanctuary at the resort; an initiative started 15 years ago in partnership with MINAE (Ministry of the Environment and Energy). The animals you'll see at the sanctuary are those confiscated from people owning the species illegally. Because they can't survive in the wild on their own, the hotel offers an environment replicating the animals' natural habitat and promoting instinctual behavior.Like what you see?
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Travelers often mention
Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews
The staff at the hotel are described as unbelievably helpful, professional, friendly, and always willing to make the stay comfortable and wonderful. Many guests highlighted the personalized service, with staff often calling them by name. (7 mentions)
Guests consistently praised the hotel's beautiful and sprawling property, mentioning its seclusion, exclusivity, and variety of on-site activities. The property is described as clean, with a great view and wildlife sightings like sloths and toucans. (5 mentions)
Guests found the rooms to be beautiful, clean, and comfortable, with spectacular views and very comfy beds. The overall room quality contributed greatly to a luxurious and pleasant stay. (4 mentions)
The hotel is noted for being very family-friendly with many on-site activities. The entertainment room for teenagers and the variety of experiences available for kids, such as rock climbing at Club Rio, were particularly appreciated. (4 mentions)
Traveler Reviews
4.8
4.8
4.9
4.8
Service is the best I have ever had
Most beautiful propery! Read more
Sprawling property with tons of resort exclusive activities
mom and baby sloth sighting as well as toucans seen on property
great view
good food (expensive)
clean
no bugs (they spray twice per month for mosquitoes etc!)
No need to leave the resort for anything. You will be comfortable and well taken care of here! Read more
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