N A T U R E H O T E L
G u e s t r e v i e w s
Three nights at Hotel Laguna wasn’t enough. The views are breathtaking with unbelievable sunsets. There are just six bungalows, so you rarely see other guest and you almost feel like… read more you have the place to yourself. Sliding glass doors on three sides allowed us to enjoy the fresh air all night. Private, clean, and comfortable; each bungalow has a view of the lake. Anna and her team provide a delicious breakfast each morning (no need to stop for lunch until mid-afternoon). We had dinner here one night and it was also very good. There are a few other restaurants just down the hill from the hotel. We had a great experience at these restaurants as well (bring a small flashlight for the walk back to the hotel). We loved this hotel so much it was hard to leave. Future trips to Costa Rica will always include a stay at Hotel Laguna. More
February 28, 2023
Our stay in this Bungalow was magical! We enjoyed the most incredible sunsets from the balcony, with spectacular views and magnificent birds right in front!
The Bungalow itself was very… read more modern, clean and really had the best view around the lake! The whole hotel area was carefully thought of, and well taken care of. After our traveling in the jungle, this was the best possible place to relax and cool down.
The Owner Bastian was so very nice, he even showed us around and always had great stories and helpful tips for us.
Breakfast was incredibly good, with self made yoghurt and the staff was absolutely charming!
We would love to come again and recommend this place to anybody who loves nature and quiet!
Thank you for everything and all the very best! More
May 12, 2022
From the moment we were greeted by the warm and affable hosts Anna and her son (and the chef) Julio, we knew we had stumbled upon a treasure, and our… read more three night stay confirmed that initial impression.
The rooms, which are actually six separate and modern cabins, are very well appointed, beautiful to look at and comfortable. The views of Lake Arenal and the surrounding area from the moutainside perches are outstanding and breathtaking, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
If you are at all interested in bird watching, this is the place! In our stay, we were able to spot and positively identify over 40 species of birds from the comfort of our balcony or the balcony down at the end of the main building. My friend went on a guided bird tour in Mistical and saw 4 or 5 different birds and was walking up and down the paths, while at the Hotel Laguna Arenal, we were able to observe the bird life from the comfort of our balcony, wine glasses close at hand.
Julio, the chef, has worked and studied at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Amsterdam and has worked a few years at restaurants in Barcelona, and it shows. As someone who worked in the gourmet food and restaurant business for 25 years myself, I recognized the committment, intelligence, creativity and passion evident in Julio the moment he set the first dish in front of us. Both Julio and Anna are very warm and friendly people as well, and we engaged in several long conversations with them, much to our delight.
If you are planning a trip to Arenal and are looking for a home base to which you can return from a day’s hiking or soaking in thermal springs, look no further than the Hotel Laguna Arenal. I have stayed at several resorts and hotels in the Arenal/La Fortuna region, and this place, with its views, its style, its food and its hosts surpasses them all.
March 31, 2019
This was such a beautiful find, and Julio and his mother are oh so lovely! Big smiling faces and genuine guidance throughout. We in fact skipped on adventures and extended… read more our stay so we could keep waking up to this view (and closing our days with it)! The rooms are wonderful little nests in the sky, and so peaceful. Also, tip– make sure you take at least one dinner with Julio– I am not very easily blown away (I think), but Julio’s dishes were beautiful and delicate and delectable! One of the places I will mark down as a sanctuary for future visits.
April 8, 2019
We only stayed one night but I wish we could have stayed one month. The pictures don’t do it justice. We arrived in the afternoon and were welcomed by the… read more owner’s rescue dogs and cats. We immediately felt at home! Our bungalow was out of this world. It was clean, comfortable and the view, well I don’t have any words. You feel like life is paused, the sounds are the sounds you hear on the sound apps. Birds, frogs, other animals. We left our windows open at night and it was cool and mosquito free. The breakfast was incredible. All handmade and organic. Amazing parfait with fresh fruit, mango and coconut smoothie, eggs and homemade bread. The owners are so welcome and gave us lots of good tips on what to visit. We are planning on coming back there and spending more days. This is the place to stay and you will not regret it. I run an Airbnb and I am pretty difficult on where I stay. This will not disappoint you! More
March 16, 2021
We chose Hotel Laguna for the views and the bright contemporary cottages. Everything else we’d looked at seemed dark and outdated, and with views like this, who wants heavy curtains… read more and dark wood closing in on you?
We were SO happy this is where we ended up! The cottages are gorgeous – walls of windows, a deep deck on which to sit and watch the lake in the morning with your coffee. Everything is smooth, clean and modern, with a large bright bathroom, and the service is amazing.
This is much more like a bed and breakfast, than a hotel. Julio is a professionally trained chef from Europe, and his meals are artwork. We had dinner there twice, as well as the breakfasts. This was the best food we had throughout all of Costa Rica. And don’t miss Ana’s Colombian "roasted milk" dessert! We really enjoyed talking with them, I feel like we have new friends. From the coffee, to the wines, to the gluten-free pancakes Julio made for me, meals here were a treat. And with the gorgeous room with postcard views, and the wonderful hosts, this was a perfect stay.
Rainy season has begun, so Ana brought us umbrellas to our cottage (out in the pouring rain herself!),so we could escape without getting drenched – just one example of the thoughtful and excellent service.
June 20, 2019
This hotel was our first hotel in costa rica our of the capital, start of our journey and honeymoon! we were so surprised by the beauty and serenity at this… read more place, the view just amazing, it is so quiet, at night all you hear is sounds of crickets and frogs and see the reflection of the moon on the lake! the sunset view, its an expirence never to forget! the place js so secluded and away from noise!
obviously to get there you need car, taxis dont get there as it is far from everything, down the hill therr is a little cafe and restaurant ( Toucan Lane) that has soooooo delicious food that you must tree!
Milena prepared us steak dinner with lake view that just is amazing! they helped us to rent a car and before renting a car they took us themselves from san jose hotel!
Great hotel, one with nature; highly recommend it! More
March 30, 2023
My wife and I stayed in this hotel two days and had wonderful and memorable time. We stayed in four different hotels, each two nights, around Lake Arenal. … read more All four of them were best hotels Costa Rica presents in different ways. This hotel stands out as a unique one. Its bungalows are well designed and modern. The view from each bungalow is unhindered, looking down Lake Arenal in the right distance and perspective. The hotel is owned and run by Anna and Bastian, who had stayed in many other countries in their earlier life. They bring in their multi-cultural experience in running this remote hotel. They are very warm and very accommodating, for local tours and places to visit, including our losing bungalow keys. We had one dinner and one breakfast, the best food I ever had in a long while. Anna is very passionate of her food from raw materials, cooking and serving. The hotel exceeded my expectation from every possible way! Thank you Anna for the time we stayed there! We missed you to say bye when we were leaving because You went out for your daily shopping for the night’s cooking.
March 23, 2023
Simply stunning.
Meticulously maintained gorgeous rooms with unobstructed views of the lake. This is a true getaway from it all. Experience silence… read more and nature.
Amazing service. Silly and sweet cats roaming the property. Nothing but peace and quiet in this hotel.
December 26, 2021
Laguna Arenal was special The bungalow was beautiful and well appointed with a spectacular view of the lake. And the breakfast was extraordinary. If you’re planning a trip to the… read more Volcano or Fortuna do not do it at night. The road and drivers are beyond extremely dangerous
February 4, 2023



