Hi, guys - I'm curious about the rooms at AOL. If we want a private balcony with a nice view of the volcano, which type of room should we get? I've heard good things about the Smithsonian rooms, but some of the reviews mentioned that they're right on a main road through the property and have a lot of traffic and can get noisy. If you've stayed there, which room type would you recommend? Thanks for any guidance you can give me!

Are you cheating on Lost Iguana?!

I was thinking of only straying for a night or two - shhhhh!

Smithsonian are the best located with a veranda

close up facing the volcano...

Unless they have changed something the Casonas no views

are to be avoided.

White Hawk Villa also has great views they rent portions

sometimes.

some pictures of the volcano view rooms here

LI it is not sort of an eco-camp feel to me,,,

http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.co...ew-rooms.phtml

The Casona rooms have great views! Quite a bargain for those who have a car and don't mind sharing bath facilities. Perhaps you are thinking of a different area of the lodge, qwo?

volcanogirl: We were in a Smithsonian room, right near the lobby and dining area. They had a great view, but no outside balcony or patio. These rooms were a little noisy due to the location. But we did get a great show one night. We just took our chairs outside to watch.

Across the hanging bridge, near the pool area is another building. I believe these are Smithsonian rooms also. They appreared to have balconies. From photos I have seen in trip reports, these rooms also seem more roomy. We were there in early November and I think things were being run on a skeleton crew and gearing up for the high season. These rooms appeared to not be occupied at that time.

volcanogirl,
Trying to plan a May 2010 trip. I think Arenal would have to be on the agenda. As a 1st time visitor, I'd like to know...why you are interested in staying at AOL over Lost Iguana?

Deb, we've stayed at Lost Iguana several times and love it. We will continue to stay there every trip. I just thought it would be fun to try a new place for a night, and AOL gets you right on top of the volcano.

The Smithsonian rooms are the ones with an excellent, close-up view, but MichelleY is right, you need to be in the building across the hanging bridge. When I was doing research someone told us which room numbers were over there... 17-21 for sure. We were in Room 19 and the view was beyond amazing! So close!

Thanks, everyone - I appreciate all the good input!