HOTEL REVIEW: ARENAL KIORO SUITES & SPA, COSTA RICA

I’ll just admit it. When I go backpacking, I don’t really go “backpacking”, at least… That’s what some would say. It depends on what you think is the definition of backpacking. Does it mean traveling with a huge backpack on your back or does it mean traveling with a huge backpack on your back and building your own tent + eating from a self made barbecue in the woods? The latter is not really my style. When I travel with a backpack, I still like to stay in luxurious places. One of those places was Arenal Koro Suites in Costa Rica. Absolutely one of the most amazing places I’ve ever stayed. Let me tell you why!

Arenal Kioro is named after the Arenal Vulcano, situated in the middle of Costa Rica, surrounded by beautiful green landscapes and loads of natural hot springs. Is there a better place in the nature to relax? I doubt it. This 5 star hotel really surprised me with the room they had prepared for me. I regret staying at Arenal for just one night, cause I would have loved to appreciate & capture it’s beauty a little more.

FROM 1 TO 10. ARENAL KIORO SUITES & SPA ON SCALE

Location: 9,5
High score! As soon as you drive up the driveway to Arenal Kioro you know that this not just a hotel. It’s an experience! The hotel has lots of luxurious suites that are more like houses all by themselves, most of them situated on the ground floor. The hotel is surrounded by natural hot springs but also has a lot of picturesque hot springs for their own guests. But as if this isn’t enough most of the suites, and the rest of the area too, have a view over the volcano. How luck was I to get there with a beautiful sky. I was wowed!

Room: 9,5
So with a view straight to the volcano, I couldn’t help but stare (and make pictures) and stare. The suite was very spacious, and although it was meant for two people I could have easily stayed there with four. I had a small balcony and bathroom and toilet were separate. Perfect. But another “WOW” moment came when the hotel host opened up the jacuzzi for me, also with view over the volcano. Need I say more? This place is extravagant!

Food & Drinks: 8
On the menu were western options as well as Costa Rican. I like that! And for the pernickety people like me they even went out of their way to make some adjustments. Everything was priced normally for Costa Rican standards and it tasted very well. Also, I love how the waiters did their very best. But as you may read below, service was excellent anywhere in the hotel.

Service: 9,5
When I arrived at the hotel I had a chat with one of the receptionists. She sat down with me and gave me some more information about the hotel (we actually needed a map for this, as the place is quite huge). She was very friendly and offered me a chillwarong (typical Costa Rican drink). I felt at home right away. Then someone helped me carry my backpack (YES ON HIS BACK) to my room. And any other questions I had, from laundry to the appointment at the horse carriage and getting my backpack back to the reception where my taxi was waiting, were easily handled by phone.

Recommendation rate: 9,5
If you are going to Costa Rica and you are willing to spend a little more than usual, then I would definitely recommend going to Arenal Kioro. I’ve seen many amazing hotels but this one it absolutely top 5 material. The environment is very relaxing, the hotel is very very good in all ways and the view is breathtaking!

Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
11 KM NW FROM LA FORTUNA DOWNTOWN
Alajuela Province
La Fortuna, 21007
Costa Rica