La Fortuna-Arenal
Hotel Arenal Kioro
Magnificent views of Arenal Volcano can be enjoyed from every room at this luxury resort (one of many that surround the famous peak). A cluster of apparently characterless condos contain 53 surprisingly tasteful rooms, decorated with a mix of rattan furniture, terracotta floors, contemporary tropical fabrics, and colorful artwork (all outshone by breathtaking volcano views from the floor-to-ceiling windows). Every room has an indoor hot tub and balcony (or two). The on-site restaurant, with some of the best views on the property, specializes in grilled steaks and fresh-caught Pacific seafood. One drawback: since 2007, the volcano’s lava flow has shifted, and other hotels now have better views of spurting, glowing molten lava.
Room to Book:
Room to Book: All rooms are identical and have the same stunning views. You can’t go wrong.
Insider Tip:
The hotel’s Titokú Hot Springs—a series of prettily landscaped, lukewarm-to-hot pools with waterfalls and dramatic nighttime lighting—are more intimate and less crowded than others in the area.
