Arenal Obseravatory Lodge?
Oct 9th, 2004, 05:59 PM
#1
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Arenal Obseravatory Lodge?
Has anyone stayed at the Arenal Observatory
Lodge? It appears to be a very unique spot. Is it on the right side of the volcano to have a clear view the flowing lava at night(given a clear evening)?
Lodge? It appears to be a very unique spot. Is it on the right side of the volcano to have a clear view the flowing lava at night(given a clear evening)?
Oct 9th, 2004, 06:37 PM
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After staying at the Obsrvatory Lodge this past summer, my husband and I had mixed thoughts about it. Beautiful, well-kept grounds and walking paths, great bird-watching, excellent restaurant, fantastic view of the volcano, but on the wrong side for viewing lava.
Unfortunately, the management was disorganized and the tours poorly run. We had several problems with them, which I described in my trip report a while back.
Despite the problems, I liked the place well enough that I would consider returning. It is indeed a unique spot.
Unfortunately, the management was disorganized and the tours poorly run. We had several problems with them, which I described in my trip report a while back.
Despite the problems, I liked the place well enough that I would consider returning. It is indeed a unique spot.
Oct 10th, 2004, 06:03 AM
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We really enjoyed Arenal Paraiso. It had cute little bungalows (nothing fancy, but certainly comfortable) facing the volcano and the views of lava flow were fascinating. The hotel grounds are beautiful. There are trails, a canopy tour, nice pool with swim up bar, small spa, very decent restaurant.
Oct 10th, 2004, 07:08 AM
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I forgot to mention that, if you have wheels, you can visit the Observatory Lodge as a daytrip for a minimal fee. This gives you access to their trails and wildlife viewing {best from the deck of or near the grounds their restaurant}. We met a woman and her son who did that, and just loved it. The best of both worlds!
Oct 10th, 2004, 10:01 AM
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Dang, I almost wish I hadn't read this thread. We had been leaning toward the Observatory Lodge, but I hadn't realized that the lava view wasn't good. From photos, the place looks so much more verdant than its neighbors. Any news on Lost Iguana? Is construction still going on?
Oct 10th, 2004, 02:00 PM
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If you stay at the Observatory lodge you should know that it is not close to the town and the road going into it was not good when we were there. Montana de Fuego is on the right side for the lava viewing and the cabins there are very nice. They have a pool and spacious grounds.
Oct 10th, 2004, 04:46 PM
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I'll open a can of worms here and invite people to view my pix from our view from the front porch at Los Lagos and from the road between hotels. Let me know if you want a couple (maybe one day, one night?) emailed to you or a link to my gallery online. I'm seriously trying to help everyone out here. The wife thinks I spend too much time on Fodor's - however, we successfully planned our trips to CR, Yosemite, Hawaii online. Thank you.
Yes, it is possible to have a great view standing on the side of the road. Not my first choice, but we did pull over while driving from A to B one night and saw some great lava displays. That's the timing of nature for you.
The view from the Los Lagos observation point is unrivaled in terms of distance. This could be important if a person has a fixed-lens camera with a zoom on the shorter range of say, 70mm. Guests can drive or walk up the unpaved road past grazing horses and cows and stand or sit in an oxymoronic "open-air enclosure" that has two adjacent walls and a roof which covers a dozen concrete benches. The setup looks as if a guide could give a short talk to a group, and then all could view the volcano. It's a straight shot across the small lake to the face of the volcano where the boulders tumble down. Amazing.
I took pix at night and at day. This particular area is unlit, so it bugged my "jumpy" wife, although we had enough lights for an airstrip.
Not saying that a person cannot have a better DIRECT view from a bed at Arenal Paraiso, or from the bed of another room at LL. Definitely possible to stay cozy under the covers.
I follow Molly2's objective nature. It is entirely possible that the staff was out of synchronization for a short period, and is back on track.
We toured MdF, AP, OL, and the rest for our next stay in Arenal. All have great views. Maybe our stay at LL was outside the bell curve, but we loved it.
Yes, it is possible to have a great view standing on the side of the road. Not my first choice, but we did pull over while driving from A to B one night and saw some great lava displays. That's the timing of nature for you.
The view from the Los Lagos observation point is unrivaled in terms of distance. This could be important if a person has a fixed-lens camera with a zoom on the shorter range of say, 70mm. Guests can drive or walk up the unpaved road past grazing horses and cows and stand or sit in an oxymoronic "open-air enclosure" that has two adjacent walls and a roof which covers a dozen concrete benches. The setup looks as if a guide could give a short talk to a group, and then all could view the volcano. It's a straight shot across the small lake to the face of the volcano where the boulders tumble down. Amazing.
I took pix at night and at day. This particular area is unlit, so it bugged my "jumpy" wife, although we had enough lights for an airstrip.
Not saying that a person cannot have a better DIRECT view from a bed at Arenal Paraiso, or from the bed of another room at LL. Definitely possible to stay cozy under the covers.
I follow Molly2's objective nature. It is entirely possible that the staff was out of synchronization for a short period, and is back on track.
We toured MdF, AP, OL, and the rest for our next stay in Arenal. All have great views. Maybe our stay at LL was outside the bell curve, but we loved it.
Oct 12th, 2004, 06:13 PM
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to answer your question on Lost Iguana...just got back again (been to Arenal twice this year!!)...they are still bulldozing it looks like. I didn't stay there this time (too much construction, bugs, mud last time)as I like Volcano Lodge (or Montange de Fuego or Los Lagos or Arenal Paradiaso)a lot better, but we drove past on the way to the hanging bridges and they (lost iguana) are clearing a whole new area closer to the dam. I can't believe the Ticos let them destroy so much rainforest. But I think if you stayed at the existing hotel you would be far enough away from the construction that it would be OK. But I also think there are better places closer to the volcano and the lava is flowing mainly down the north side now, not towards lost iguana (west side)
