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Reviews of Aunty Arenal Lodge

3 out of 5
Aunty Arenal Lodge
Carretera al Volcan, Zeta Trece, 300 Metros Este del Super Cristian, La Fortuna

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 168 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 48 out of 168 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 18 out of 168 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 9 out of 168 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 168 reviews" "

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Greg, East York

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a great base to explore the Arenal area, close to the hot springs and waterfall, and several great dining options nearby. The units are basic but clean and well kept.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Travelled with group
Liked: Amenities
Such a wonderful stay! Nice amenities, kind staff, cute breakfast and pool. Also amazing cats hanging around
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 30 Mar 2024
Thank you very much for your feedback, we hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Erin

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
All the essentials. AC, fridge, pool, bathroom, free parking and a GREAT breakfast!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 27 Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Marnie

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ed

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff. The room is a bit dark. Strong cleaning agent smell. Furnishing is sparse.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 23 Mar 2024
Thank you very much for your feedback

2/10 Terrible

Chanahira

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Not well maintained at all, very bad breakfast, soap, shampoo toilet paper and hand soap super super bad quality , the only good thing is the location we would never go back to this place again
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 23 Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback

6/10 Okay

Nancy

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
The hotel has seen better days. Room furnishings were shabby, like from a garage sale. Front desk staff did nothing to fix lights or a broken lock. Kitchen staff were very kind, but imagine a complimentary breakfast in CR with no fruit!! Garden was nice, pool and hot tub were nice. A/C worked. Not great value for the cost.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 19 Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 19 Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you soon

6/10 Okay

guanzhi

parking is easy
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 5 Mar 2024
Thank you for you feedback

2/10 Terrible

Zachary

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Chose this place because of an abundance of good reviews.Room we got doesn’t look like any of the pictures posted on Expedia.Side lamps are seen in photos of the rooms yet there were no side lamps in our room. There is also not enough natural light so you are stuck using the bright main lights which was more of an inconvenience than one would assume.One bed was comfortable and the other had a hard mattress that you can feel every spring through. No shelves in bathroom or place in shower to put toiletries. Cheapest 1 ply toilet paper on the planet, unlike the other hotels we’ve stayed at in Costa Rica. Noticed security guard just staring at me as I walked around the grounds which didn’t make me feel very welcome.Security guard came and told me to turn off my outside light. Why is that their business? I’m paying to stay here.Staff suggested we turn off the air conditioning when we are not in the room-again we are paying to stay here and are on vacation.It’s mentioned in the booking info, but it’s bizarre that the more you pay, the less you get. For instance breakfast being charged to a room with a full kitchen because you have the ability to cook. The pools are nice but they turn off the artificial waterfalls during the day for some reason. No jacuzzi as mentioned. Says no pets allowed but every time we opened our door the owner’s animals (two cats and a dog) were there begging for food. Cat would pull screen door open and run under the beds and we had to get him out each time.
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 4 Mar 2024
Dear, we extend our apologies for your bad experience.The jacuzzi does exist and is, as indicated at check-in in the hotel's registration and regulations, which sign with their consent that the jacuzzi operates after 4 pm and they only ask us to turn on the engine so that it becomes hot, The falls light up when they are close as we work with recycling and energy sustainability.We extend our apologies if you felt that the colleague made you uncomfortable, he was only around his work as such.we take a note about everything.

10/10 Excellent

Ramesh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property well maintained Wonderful friendly staff Love this property
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 26 Feb 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Carly

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Great location close to everything in La fortuna!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty on 21 Feb 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you soon

2/10 Terrible

Souganthika

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is in close proximity to the volcano, which is the only positive. The AC kept leaking throughout the night, onto the bed and the night stand. The bed itself is the worst I have ever slept on, it caved in and creaked and rattled like an ancient cot, leaving me with a terrible back ache. There is no blanket on the bed and the one they had on the shelf was old and dusty. There’s a fan but it doesn’t work. The bloody curtains are see through. Who in their right minds would install a freaking see through curtain in a hotel room?! AVOID this place at all costs. Go somewhere else. This place is a joke.
Response from Hotel Aunty on 21 Feb 2024
We apologize for your bad experience, we try to help you in all circumstances with the bed in which the bed boards were misaligned.We will take your recommendations into account.

8/10 Good

Yehudit

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 21 Mar 2024
Thanks for your feedback

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excelente estadía
Un lugar tranquilo y apto para descansar, cercanía al centro de la Fortuna pero sin bullicio. Persomal muy amable y presto a ayudar.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 31 Jan 2024
Thank you very much for your feedback, we hope see you soon.

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good property far enough away from the downtown to be quiet but close enough for a quick drive to the amenities Would recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 30 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you soon

10/10 Excellent

Erika

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a lovely stay! The property is right in the forest with a beautiful garden where we saw tree frogs, hummingbirds and other wildlife. The owner has cats who are very friendly. The walls are thin so you can sometimes hear your neighbours but it didn’t bother us much. Thank you for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 30 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feed back, we hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Vikrant, Brooklyn

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Simple and affordable accommodation. Staff is very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 27 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you again.

8/10 Good

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice property, clean rooms and good location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 27 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you again.

6/10 Okay

Bradley

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Kind of a mixed bag on this one. The location was good. Close to La Fortuna and the waterfall. It was quiet and the plants were beautiful. The two things I didn't like were the smell in our room and the most expensive rooms do not include breakfast. Our room reeked of cigarette smoke upon arrival. I did not immediately alert the front desk, but opened the place up and went out for a while. We got back after dark and went to bed. It smelled in there in the morning so we went and complained. The lady at the front desk was initially not accommodating to our complaint. Just blamed the last guests that stayed there. We complained about not receiving breakfast, having paid for the expensive room. The response was "your room has a full kitchen, so it doesn't include breakfast." The guests in the other rooms had breakfast included. I didn't want to go shopping for eggs, rice, beans, fruit, coffee grounds, milk, butter, sugar, paper towels and have to make all that in the little kitchen. I'm trying to relax. We just wanted to eat and get on with our day, just like most people on vacation. We were originally not offered anything in return for our stinky ash tray of a room. We left mad and did not pay the $7 a piece for their breakfast. When we returned from the waterfall a few hours larer, they had changed the sheets and used pine sol to clean the room. It was better and she also offered a free breakfast the following day, which we appreciated. It could have been handled better.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Hotel Aunty Arenal Lodge on 20 Jan 2024
We hope that everything that was done for your enjoyment of the property was helpful.Remember that when making the reservation it indicates that the Villas do not include breakfast, it is something that we always indicate, in the same way they were offered a day to make your enjoyment even better.Thank you in advance for your understanding and we hope to serve you again.

8/10 Good

Zena

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 27 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback, we hope see you again.

8/10 Good

Manish

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet eco friendly
Its a very quiet place with basic amenities. The environment is very peaceful with sound of birds in the morning. Fernanado who serves the guests is very nice. He always tends to your requests.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 9 Jan 2024
We hope have a great time and also hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Corson

Travelled with partner
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 9 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feedback, hope see you soon

10/10 Excellent

URIEL

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from Hotel Aunty on 9 Jan 2024
Thank you for your feed back, hope see you soon

8/10 Good

Siddharth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lodge is conviniently located to literally all attractions in la fortuna. We had a very comfortable stay. The only issue was that when power went out, there was no backup power, which made us to stay without power for 2 hours. There wer minor issues like shower not working , fridge was making big noise, which they fixed promptly. The property is bit on expensise side , but they have a small hot spring and private garage parking, which makes it very convinient. The staff were very friendly
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 26 Dec 2023
Thank you for your feed back, we hope see you again

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly and Helpful
Great location for stopping off at La Fortuna. Friendly owner who spoke a little English but spoke more English than I did Costa Rican so that was very helpful. There’s a lovely swimming pool which unfortunately we didn’t use. The breakfast was as expected…. Wonderful. Thanks for a great stay 😃😃
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 5 Dec 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we hope you come again soon.

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great value. The property was beautiful. Our room was basic and worked for us. No problem with tours picking us up. Fernando was terrific and Laura was very helpful. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda Salas on 2 Nov 2023
Thank you for yout feedback, we take a note for everything and hope see you soon

10/10 Excellent

Hannah, Georgetown

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 2 Oct 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we will be happy to assist you again

6/10 Okay

Kara

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property and pool. Beds are rock hard
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 14 Aug 2023
Thank you for your feedback, we take a note

4/10 Poor

uzma, Westlake

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was close to supermarket but the property itself if 2 star. Linen very old and rooms smelled. The screen is broken hence mosquitos inside the room. Flush of the Toilet did not work. Beds were Old Spring and not comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Aunty on 14 Aug 2023
Thank you for your feedback we take a note about everything.

8/10 Good

Hector

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We had a pleasant stay with our family of 5 (ages: 9, 10, 13). We had a car so it was nice to have covered parking right in front of our place especially since it rains sporadically and it is very close driving to grocery stores, restaurants, and attractions. It was very private and we were able to enjoy the pool and spa with waterfalls and beautiful rain forest views! The accommodations were good with AC in the bedrooms. I gave it a 4/5 on cleanliness only because some of the things like the ice tray and dish rack could have been cleaner.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 20 Jul 2023
Thank you for your feedback we take a note about everything. Hope see you again, its a pleasure for us services you.

10/10 Excellent

Alicia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit at Aunty Arenal Lodge. Staff was very nice. Property was beautiful. Pool and spa were great. Animals roaming around was nice to see.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 7 Jul 2023
Thank you very much for your feedback we hope you come again, i will be happy to assist you.

4/10 Poor

George

Liked: Staff & service
We stayed 2 nights with our 13 & 17 yrs old in the Superior Villa, 2 bedrooms. Each room had a twin- and full-size bed. Only one night stand. Arrived almost at night; therefore, we did not see how the area in the facility looked. The villa itself was nice, it came with all kinds of appliances (Fridge, stove, microwave, air fryer, rice cooker, etc, etc, etc), Fridge was not hooked up, had to do it myself, which took a while for it to start cooling (we had food that needed to be cold). The Villa was clean, but it had an old house smell (I attributed it to not having AC on). Ah! it also had a washer, but to dry clothes you have to hang them up or pay. Beds were clean, cover was thin. The young man that greeted us was very nice throughout our stay. My biggest disliked about the Villa was the cockroaches. 1st night, we found 2 (too many- I hate roaches). If we had money to spare, we would have left that same night. I barely slept. Husband turned the AC super cold to keep bugs away from room (you have to close bedroom door to keep air in). Due to already seeing the bugs, I had no urge to use any appliances to cook (besides the fridge and washer). Next day we left for our activities (0730 am-8pm), we found more roaches in the rooms (3 in the kids' room and one in ours), hubby got rid of them. But my stress level was high. On our last morning, we walked that property grounds, it was very nice and clean. Lots of beautiful trees & Pool looked amazing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 28 Jun 2023
Good Morning dear George. We will take into account all your comments, we hope to have you back and improve your experience.

10/10 Excellent

O'neil, Brampton

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The property was very quiet and peaceful. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The dining and pool area is very beautiful. Lovely yard animals aswell. Great Experience! Great
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 6 Jun 2023
Thank you very much, we hope you come back, we will happy to assists you.

2/10 Terrible

Amanda

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Response from Aunty on 5 Jun 2023
Muchas gracias

6/10 Okay

Weatherly

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Laura on 21 May 2023
Thank you for you feedback

10/10 Excellent

Oliver

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great find, would stay again.
We enjoyed this lodge. Close to town and all activities, yet secluded but safe. Property has nice landscaping and 2 fun pools with waterfalls. We would stay here again. Thank you!
View of pools from top terrace that has hammocks to relax in.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 7 Apr 2023
Thank you very much for your feedback, we hope see you soon.

10/10 Excellent

Daryl

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great little property in the culture of Costa Rica. Felt very welcomed.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda Salas on 4 Apr 2023
Thank you for you feedback, we hope see you soon

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
We had a comfortable stay at Anty Arenal. Check in was easy. The gal who checked us in was the only staff member fluent in English and we only saw her at check in/ check out, however we managed fine. The room was simply furnished but very clean with great air conditioning. Had difficulty with getting wifi though. Highlights were the serene pool area and hammocks on the upper deck as well as the beautiful foliage on the property. Breakfast was mediocre ( coffee mate for coffee and no fresh fruit) and the kitchen staff were not very friendly. The groundskeeper was the most helpful and attentive to anything we needed but seemed like a bit of an odd set up with non English speaking staff attending to the guests. Would recommend staying in the private bungalow rooms versus paper thin walls of the second storey rooms. Excellent location and very adequate for short stays.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Laura Penaranda on 2 Apr 2023
Thank you very much for your feed back we take a note about everything

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 27 Mar 2023
Thank you for your feedback

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
DETAILED REVIEW - 3 night couple stay
DETAILED REVIEW Check in- the hosts were easy to contact, and check in was very easy. The small road leading to this hotel was right near the main part of La Fortuna, and it was easy to get to. The small road is not paved though, and the signage was easy to miss. The hosts- the people that work here are amazing. My partner and I have legit never stayed anywhere where we experienced this level of kindness. Everyone here went out of their way to help us with clothes that got soaked on a trip, shoes that got muddy, food requests, and helping us contact an excursion company when they were late. The room- we stayed in a simple room with a double and a twin bed. We used the twin to keep our luggage off the floor, and slept in the double. The room was comfy, with AC and a fan, but there were a couple issues. One, the bathroom remains insanely humid, and nothing in there dries. They have cords outside you can hang things on to dry, but we didn’t take advantage of that. Two, the curtain was see through, and anyone walking by the room can see right in even with it drawn. Three - the door was a bit old and had space under it. We did not get any bugs though thankfully. The bed tho was very comfy and we slept like rocks here. Property - beautiful, very nice pool, with a smaller one they’ll heat up for you if you ask. They have breakfast between 7-9, and it’s fresh, real Costa Rican breakfast. Checkout - very easy. All in all would stay here again! Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 19 Mar 2023
Thank you for you review, will be hope see you again and also take a note about your suggestions.

4/10 Poor

Jonathan

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The beds were not as advertised, only one bed of four was usable. My son had to sleep on the couch it was so bad. No hot water for showers. Couldn't connect to the internet for more that a few minutes at a time. We booked for three nights left after two. Who wants a cold shower when you are on vacation and a bad bed.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Aunty Arenal Lodge on 10 Mar 2023
We are sorry for your bad experience and hope that in the future you will be able to verify that we do offer the services we indicated. The hot water tanks were checked to verify what was happening that was not giving you hot water. Again we regret your bad experience and hope that in the future we will be able to rectify your appreciation.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Budget local property close to town with several restaurants , shops and grocery store nearby. Spend your evenings in the pool or warm/hot tub and watching tv. There really is not much to do in this town, except rest up from your adventurous day or go to the thermal pools which are close by.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 6 Mar 2023
Thank you for you review, we will take a note about your suggestions

6/10 Okay

JUSTIN

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It works, but not what we expected
Its a room with pool and free breakfast. The property and rooms were on the rustic side. Everything was fine, but maybe not quite what you would expect from the pictures. If you need a place to sleep, its perfect, but maybe not where you spend a lot a time.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 22 Feb 2023
Thank you for you review, we take a note about you suggestions

8/10 Good

Florence

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The flora around the property and specifically is just beautiful Good chance of seeing hummingbirds and butterflies
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 22 Feb 2023
Thank you for your comments, we hope have a great time.

8/10 Good

Traci

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 16 Feb 2023
Muchas gracias por preferirnos, esperemos vuelvan pronto.

8/10 Good

Gregory Vincent

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 6 Mar 2023
Thank you for you review, we will take a note about your suggestions

8/10 Good

Doreen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely little hotel off the beaten path, no traffic worries. Front desk lady, Laura, was very friendly, helpful and accommodating. Jorge was also so very helpful, and tried hard to understand if you did not speak much Spanish. Full breakfast included, you need to go out a ways for dinner.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 9 Feb 2023
Is a pleasure for the Staff to the hotel help you, hope you have a great trip and hope see you soon. Thank you for you preference.

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location on quiet street but very close to town. Room was basic, but very clean and functional. Our kids loved the cats that were around the property. Staff was super friendly and available when you needed them. Delicious Costa Rican breakfast every morning was a bonus. Can’t go wrong in La Fortuna with this lodge - would recommend to anyone!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 6 Feb 2023
Thank you very much for your review, we hope see you again.

10/10 Excellent

elzbieta

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
If you like peace and quiet this is the place for you. Great starting point for day trips
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Laura Peñaranda on 11 Dec 2022
Thank you for your review, will be happy to assist you again.