Arenal observatory lodge or Kioro?
 

Hello again!
We decided to make our main stay in the Arenal area. we are torn between two places, the Arenal observatory .. Because of all the talk about it, and the Arenal Kioro hotel... Because it looks awesome, but can't find any review here on Fodor's.

Thanks for all your help!

arenalobservatory.com is close to the volcano more
of an ecocamp casonas are horrible smithsonian rooms
some offer good views some do not food not good very
bad bumpy road that ford streams to get there FAR from
town.

They bait and switched me on rooms I bailed and went to

tabacon.com great spa free best hot springs if you stay there

Kioro is ok rustic arenanayara.com royalcorin.com lots better.

lostiguanaresort.com good too

hotelmountainparadise.com cheaper good for price bookit.com

Happy Planning!

Smithsonian rooms are not horrible. They're fairly basic, but you have the best view of a volcano in the entire country. Every single Smithsonian room has a breathtaking volcano view.

The AOL also has tremendous hiking (waterfall on site) and wildlife--crazy amounts of birds and animals around the main lodge area. Wild cats, toucans, parrots, trogons, monkeys, etc.

The view is of both the volcano and the lake. It's directly on the other side of a mountain from Monteverde. So, some highland species even make it over--we saw a black guan near the restaurant.

There's a small vulcanology museum on site, as well as an infinity pool and hot tub.


Down side is that being having that view and in the middle of all that hiking and wildlife means you're a long ways away from town at the end of some poor roads. The food quality is uneven--breakfast is very good, but it's hit and miss for lunch and especially dinner (though supposedly that has improved).

Also, the rooms themselves are more Motel 6 than Four Seasons. But, we don't travel to Costa Rica for luxury, we travel there for nature and hiking and that stuff. We wouldn't consider staying anywhere else (stayed there twice).

Between those two, I'd pick AOL for the wildlife. We met people who stayed at Kioro, and they didn't love it. We only saw it from the outside, and it looked nice enough. Lost Iguana, Arenal Nayara, and Silencio del Campo are popular too. We've stayed at the Lost Iguana several times and love it. Usually the closer to the volcano, the further from town so more grounds, wildlife, etc. but also further from restaurants and things. The Lost Iguana is right next to the Hanging Bridges out by the lake and has beautiful volcano views. They run a lot of specials, so if you're interested check.

The casonas are hardly "horrible". Actually pretty cozy. Lots of wildlife on the grounds of AOL, and stupendous view, even if the volcano isn't active. Didn't care for the management, but everyone else was very friendly.

Lost Iguana is on my list of places to check out someday.

And I'll add a 2 cents for a very nice pool and hot tub at AOL.

Loved Silencio del Campo and while I know that Royal Corin is quite luxurious (we went in and looked around since RC is right next to Silencio), to me it's just another BIG resort. It dwarfs the wonderful cabinas of SDC and doesn't look Costa Rica-y at all.

Deb, we're like traveling twins. I think the same of Royal Corin. The first time we went back after it was built, it made me a little sad the way it towers over everything. I'm sure it's really nice, but doesn't seem CRish to me.

Agree with Volcanogirl, for me AOL all the way for the volcano views and wildlife. Great place for hikes.

Also agree with Deb, Corin is an eyesore
Cheers

Another vote for AOL...we've stayed at Tabacon, Los Lagos and AOL. By far, AOL was our favorite. Yes, it's out of the way, and I'd have a hard time staying there if I didn't have a car - but many people don't mind that. But you can't beat it for the views, the wildlife and the overall atmosphere. If I get back to Arenal, it will be where we stay for sure. Definitely a Smithsonian room.

Stayed in a Smithsonian room; two days of deluge and fog, and absolutely loved it. Hardly saw the volcano, but heard rocks crashing, "huffing" etc. Enforced sitting on the wonderful patio, walked around in the pouring rain, didn't care at all!

Wow! I am convinced! Thank you all so much! Would you reccomend renting a car, or just winging it. We plan to stay in the area except for going in to town to explore a little and go to a restaurant or two!

It's a long road to town from AOL; probably an expensive cab ride. (We always rent cars wherever we go.)

We prefer the Interbus shuttle. The downside is what sylvia mentions; it's an expensive cab ride if you want to go anywhere besides AOL. Driving is a pleasure for some, but stressful for others (like me - coward that I am!)

Both hotels are close to the volcano, but very different. Kioro is modern and in my opinion over priced. Observatory is more rustic but have lots of great trails. Only thing negative is that is Observatory is very far from town and a horrible road. It was worth it when you could see lava. I hate to report this, but no lava has been seen for 16 months. The volcano has steam coming out of it and still amazing, but there is no longer a need to stay at a hotel with a view to the lava.
My favorite hotel is Lost Iguana which has amazing views of the volcano plus is a wonderful combination of luxury and being a Costa Rica experience. Read the reviews on Trip Advisor and you can decide for yourself.