Arenal volcano is arguably the most iconic sight in Costa Rica. It looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park and only recently became dormant. We wanted to give ourselves the best chance of spotting it – only 30% of tourists actually see the top of the volcano! So, to help, we booked a hotel just on the slopes of Arenal. Here is our review of Lomas Del Volcan La Fortuna – enjoy! As a taste, this is a good one…
Lomas Del Volcan La Fortuna | My Review
The Setting
Lomas Del Volcan La Fortuna is a luxurious hotel set upon the slopes of Arenal volcano. The accomodation is made of of small bungalows, each with small balconies, coffee machines and lots of space. Some even have more features to really spoil their guests.
The grounds are exactly what you want from Costa Rica. To say that it is colourful is an understatement; there are so many different plants around the place. It is also clear that the grounds are well looked-after too and that lot of car goes into maintennce. Because of this, there is a whole host of wildlife here. Monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, coatis… You could sit in your balcony all day and just watch the wildlife come to you. Trust me… We did just that.
Despite seeming rustic from the online photos, the hotel has everything that you need. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with views of the extensive grounds. There is also a barr for more chilled evenings and a very nice pool area.
Overall, the Lomas Del Volcan setting really couldn’t be better. Whilst you are quite off of the beaten track, the compound has all you need.
Our Room
Our room was a standard bungalow, right on the edge of the facility. If I am entirely honest, I did not expect much from the photos. I thought that it would be nice enough, but nothing to write home about. As soon as I was dropped off at the bungalow though, I knew that this impression was completely wrong.
We had a small path that lead to our bungalow.. On the outside, there was a balcony area with a small table. Because we were on the edge, we were right next to rainforest and could see all of the wildlife. The floor was made of wood-effect tiles, and this continued into our accommodation. Inside, we had a large, open space, with a king sized bed in the middle. We had a coffee machine and Nespresso pods, alongside other essentials to keep us going. The interior, including the ceiling, was made up of darker wood. It felt like home straight away, only one that was far more luxurious.
The bathroom was also very nice. Whilst I wouldn’t say it was as luxurious as the bedroom, it still was high-end and fitted in with the vibe of the place. We had a walk-in shower and could hear the songs of the many birds outside. Nearby the bathroom was another door which went out to a second, smaller balcony. This was hidden from the rest of the hotel and gave us a quiet place to watch the birds.
Overall, I can honestly say that the accommodation here is in my top 5 hotels ever. It felt that we had a small luxurious villa rather than a hotel room. In all seriousness, the weather was horrific in Arenal. Yet, despite this, one of the highlights of the trip was sitting on the balcony, drinking coffee, and watching the world go by.
The Food
Each morning began with breakfast. The buffet here is incredible and there is such a varied selection. You have the classic Costa Rican breakfast, with rice, beans, Mexican eggs and tortilla-wraps, alongside more American offerings. There was a toastie and an omelette station, and plenty of cakes and pastries. I loved breakfast here; the food tasted incredible and nothing beats local coffee!
For lunch and dinner you had a few options. For more formal events, the restaurant was a good choice. Whilst it was pricier than the bar (a bit of a shock when you have come from Tortuguero!), the food was honestly some of the best I ate in Costa Rica. There were plenty of options too, such as steak, octopus, chicken… The bar was more casual and was cheaper too. Dishes here were things like tacos, quesadillas, pizzas etc., all of which were really tasty. The stars of the show though were the cocktails. Make sure that you have a strawberry daiquiri too.
One last thing, be prepared for the best musical experience in the restaurant. They have jazz versions of some of the most popular songs you can think of. Seriously enjoyable.
The Service
Every great hotel needs fantastic service and Lomas Del Volcan is no exception. The staff were so friendly and wanted to get to know you. After four days I genuinely felt like I had made holiday friends. Julian and Laura in particular were real characters and we enjoyed getting to know them and hearing about their lives in Costa Rica. We also had a cooking class with Laura and other members of the kitchen staff, which allowed us to share stories and hear more about authentic Costa Rica.
Lomas Del Volcan Review – Final Thoughts
What can I say about Lomas Del Volcan. If you are looking for an authentic hotel in the heart of nature, this is for you. Some of my favourite holiday memories ever will be those sat in this hotel, something I never thought I would say… Especially as we saw no sun whatsoever here! It has everything you need to relax, kick back and enjoy that Pura Vida lifestyle.
