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Chateau Arenal

3.0 star property

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Basic Double Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi
Restaurant
Basic Double Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi
Terrace/patio
Basic Double Room | Terrace/patio

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Hot Tub
  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Laundry

Explore the area

Map
El Castillo, Peñas Blancas, Alajuela, 20213
  • Arenal Eco Zoo
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Butterfly Conservatory
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Lake Arenal
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room

Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Room

  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Family Room

  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Family Room

  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

View all photos for Basic Double Room

Basic Double Room | Minibar, individually decorated, blackout drapes, free WiFi

Basic Double Room

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Similar properties

Exterior

Arenal Roca Lodge

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, (74)
The price is $162
per night
$183 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 22 - Feb 23
Arenal Roca Lodge

About this property

Chateau Arenal

3-star Peñas Blancas hotel walkable to Lake Arenal
This hotel features an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a coffee shop/cafe, a hot tub, and spa services. Change of towels is available on request.
Chateau Arenal offers 16 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature hair dryers and blackout drapes/curtains. Each accommodation is individually decorated. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the in-room coffee/tea makers and minibars. Bathrooms include showers. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily. Renovation of all guestrooms was completed in June 2024.
An outdoor pool, a children's pool, and a hot tub are on site.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, sports massages, and Swedish massages.
In addition to a children's pool, Chateau Arenal provides an outdoor pool and a hot tub. The hotel offers a restaurant and a coffee shop/cafe. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access.

This hot springs hotel also offers spa services, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance. Complimentary uncovered self parking is available on site.

Chateau Arenal has designated areas for smoking.

A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Chateau Arenal has a restaurant on site.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Children's pool
  • Ecotours
  • Outdoor pool
  • Spa tub

Family friendly

  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In a national park
  • Outdoor entertainment area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas

Spa

  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Hot stone massages
  • Sports massages
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Tile flooring in room
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

More

  • 2 floors
  • Designated smoking areas
  • Renovated guestrooms - June 2024

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Individual decor

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:30 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before noon

Special check-in instructions

The property charges 3.5 percent for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per adult: USD 65
  • Christmas Eve (24 December) Gala Dinner per child: USD 30 (from 6 to 12 years old)

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 3.5 percent

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and cash
Mobile payment options include: Apple Pay
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a security system

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Chateau Arenal Hotel
Chateau Arenal Peñas Blancas
Chateau Arenal Hotel Peñas Blancas

Chateau Arenal Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 57 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is the cutest. Tucked away on the top of a mountain. Waking up each morning with the sunrise over Arenal was amazing. The humming birds all around were magical. Thank you for a fabulous relaxed stay closest enough to all but far enough for quiet.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

malcolm

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff was by far the was the best I’ve been around in my 25 years of traveling the globe.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

WILLIAM

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quaint Hilltop Oasis
Felt like a place off the beaten path. Small and cozy facility with great views of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding hills. The location is walkable to a convenient store, restaurant, and bakery at the bottom of the hill. And a restaurant at the top of the hill. The room is equipped with AC. Towels and bed turnover service was provided daily. The included breakfast was sufficient enough to get my day started. Flavorful enough to eat each of the 3 mornings that I was there. Staff was very cordial and accommodating and helped me arrange rides to sky Adventures and La Fortuna. I even had my laundry done at a great price.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Ravi

Traveled with family and small children
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We arrived around 9pm on a stormy, rainy night. The propwrty has no outside lighting to tell you where the reception desk is. In any case it was pitch dark, with rain and nobody in sight, could've find our room. Found out that they peft the keys with our friends who had checked in earlier without any agreement from us! Somehow we found the room with our cellphone flashlights and it was horrendous. There was water everywhere on the floor, the bedspread on one of the beds was soaked in water. Toilet paper roll in bathroom was on its last breath. We called property number, texted byt no response and no one to help us. We weren't expecting luxurious stay, but this was below a basic hotel stay. Ants ran rampant in the room. When we informed the front desk in the morning, they simply shrugged and said you booked through expedia, you talk to them. We cancelled further nights at the hotel and found another hotel. It is in a remote location, sub par standard and cheap lodgings. Front desk closes early at night and management clearly doesn't care. By the way they never refunded us for the nights we canceled. Beware!

8/10 Good

Mario, Heredia

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was great! Food was world class! The only thing that could have been better was the bad smell coming from the bathroom, something to consider/remodel!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

James

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Chateau Arenal is a great little strip of modest bungalows allowing a view of the volcano and the main strip of El Castillo below. These aren't luxury accommodations, but the staff are attentive, friendly and kind (like seemingly everyone in Costa Rica). Breakfast was tasty and if the materials are available, they'll cook anything for you. We especially enjoyed being able to walk down through El Castillo to tiendas and "sodas" to feel the town. You're on a slope, so expect to burn some calories. One of the most annoying things is the whine of noisy motorcycles in the area, but that's simply Costa Rica. Parts of the hotel are closer to the road than others. Expect occasional windy conditions, because the hotel is on a ridge. We generally felt secure, but you'll have to choose between closing your window at night and running the AC or leaving it open. The bathroom was dark, making things like putting in contact lenses challenging. We recommend walking up and down the hill and trying different eateries. We especially enjoyed a day at the Arenal Observatory Lodge and Trails (only 18 minutes away). Well worth the $18 per person (at the time of this review). Special thanks to Richard, Sophia and Julia. Great people!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

helene

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gregory

Well run property and staff was very helpful
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Yoseline

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was friendly, typical breakfast included (tasty), lake and volcano view, soothing to hear the rain on the roof. Our room didn't have but fan was enough. They can do your laundry if needed, wifi was good as well
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Ronen

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
No air conditioner
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Mark

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pass on this place if you want to be able to sleep
Stay in town and avoid this place on the outskirts of town. First of all they advertise ac and internet and 2 beds in room and then try and give you a different room with none of the above. The room ultimately given had 2 worn out crap mattresses with sink holes in them. If you stay here be prepared to drive a distance near nothing and also get no sleep due to poor quality accommodations. Don’t bring your valuables because the back sliding door doesn’t lock either. We stayed one miserable night and checked into another hotel in town and was treated to a good nights sleep.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Michael

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location overlooking lake Arenal and Arenal. Beautiful grounds and view. Friendly staff. Very basic room with uncomfortable beds.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Vaibhav, Sunnyvale

Traveled with family
Disliked: Amenities
No hot water. No air conditioning. Staff was very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Jie

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Facilities are just ok, room is more like a cabin, the surroundings and views are great. There are a few good restaurants in walking distance.

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We enjoyed our stay at the chateau! The views were amazing and the restaurant food was delicious and beautifully presented.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

KUAN YU

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Awesome views of volcano and mountains from patio and room balcony. Clean and basic room. AC and WiFi works well. Complimentary breakfast was delicious. We stayed 3 nights. Fortuna waterfall, chocolate tour and Mistco suspension bridges were the best attractions. .
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Lise M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Karen

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice hotel, but we had issues
The rooms were clean but the AC was not working. We informed the front desk but they said they were all booked and did not have another room and would not refund us. They said they'll get someone to fix it the next day but they could not. I mentioned that the parking lot was empty and asked to switch rooms. They then offered a room with a smaller size bed which would not work for us so we had to stick with the room with the broken AC. Wi-Fi is spotty, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Breakfast was good but the included breakfast is the same everyday so if you're staying for multiple days, you might get tired of it. They do offer a wider menu for additional cost. For the three nights we stayed, we enjoyed the breakfast, coffee, and fruit juices. However, the room had breathtaking views. We stayed in a junior suite with private balconies overlooking the volcano. You can hear birds in the morning and the white noise of the river. The location is 30 min from downtown La Fortuna. There is a small convenience store nearby and it's fairly close to certain sites. So the location is unbeatable. Edit: They offered us a room with the large bed and working AC for our last/3rd night. Unfortunately, we were heading out to a scheduled tour when they told us that and we came back with a sleeping toddler so we figured it wasn't worth the hassle for one night. We do appreciate them offering though.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

LIN, COLUMBIA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
My experience is generally good.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

James

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Average hotel with view
Nothing much beside the view and free continental breakfast. Room in front of the volcano, too bad it was hazy and didn’t see much.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holly

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Melody, San Jose

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The place has a espectacular view of the volcanos from all it rooms and the restaurant if very good.. the people attending are very kind and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A scenic spot with a view of the volcano . Moved in and we’re instantly welcomed with a double rainbow with Arenal in the background. Incredible. And the food is incredible gourmet meals at a normal meal price . Owner Richard is very friendly and welcoming.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Isabel, Fresh Meadows

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Rita

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful service, good location
Nice hotel that is away from the chaos of La Fortuna but still close to most of the main attractions of the Arenal area. The hotel is about 10 minutes away from the entrance to Arenal National Park, 25 minutes to Mistico Bridges, and 20 minutes from the Tabacon hot springs area. Has great views of the Lake and Arenal. We stayed in a cabin which had 2 beds, a fridge, and bathroom. There is.no air conditioning, but they had a large fan to help with staying cool. They are in the process of updating the furniture in the rooms. Richard, the owner/manager was super responsive and helpful. The onsite restaurant was good and typical Tico breakfast was included.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023