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Chateau Arenal

3.0 star property
Hotel with free breakfast, a quick walk to Lake Arenal

Photo gallery for Chateau Arenal

Basic Double Room
Basic Double Room | Terrace/patio
Restaurant
Basic Double Room
Terrace/patio

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
El Castillo, Peñas Blancas, Alajuela, 20213
  • Arenal Volcano
  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Tabacon Hot Springs
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room

Room

Room

Highlights

Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Blackout curtains
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Minibar
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Free extra futon mattress
Blackout curtains
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Double Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Free extra futon mattress
Blackout curtains
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

View all photos for Basic Double Room

Basic Double Room

Basic Double Room

Highlights

Furnished balcony or patio
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Renovated in 2024
Blackout curtains
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

About the area

Peñas Blancas

At Chateau Arenal you'll be 0.5 km (0.3 mi) from Lake Arenal and 4.1 km (2.6 mi) from Costa Rica Sky Adventures. Highlights at this hotel include a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and free continental breakfast. .A pampering day can include deep-tissue massages and hot stone massages. For a drink, you can stop by the hotel's own lounge bar. Enjoy the Hot tub, kids' swimming pool and pool loungers as well as access to ecotours. Plus you'll find free Wi-Fi in public areas, a coffee shop/cafe and laundry facilities. Each morning free breakfast is served. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Sights within a 20-minute drive of this 3-property class Peñas Blancas hotel include Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs.

What's nearby

  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures - 8 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Arenal Volcano - 15 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 18 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 19 min drive - 12.1 km
  • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park - 24 min drive - 15.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Restaurante Río Lounge - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Agua Ardiente Pool Bar - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Fusión Arenal Mirador. - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪Restaurante Las Palmas - ‬25 min drive

About this property

Chateau Arenal

Hotel with free breakfast, a quick walk to Lake Arenal
Chateau Arenal offers its guests a kids' pool, an outdoor pool, and Access to hot tub. There's a restaurant on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafe. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. WiFi is free in public spaces.

Spa services, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance are also featured at Chateau Arenal. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3-star Peñas Blancas hotel.

  • 16 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas for the pool
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Staff members are multilingual
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
  • Dining venue
Chateau Arenal offers 16 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors, and features a hairdryer and blackout curtains. Each accommodation is individually decorated. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the in-room coffee/tea makers and minibars. Bathrooms include a shower. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis. Renovation of all guestrooms was completed in June 2024.
Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, sports massages and Swedish massages.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; international cuisine, garden views

Hotel Arenal Lodge

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
4.3 out of 5, Excellent, 1,000 reviews
The price is NZ$280
includes taxes & fees
8 May - 9 May
Hotel Arenal Lodge

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • 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
  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor pool

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 lift
  • 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 per cent 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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • 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've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of 3.5 per cent

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, cash, mobile payments and Apple Pay. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a security system in all accommodation.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before 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

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Chateau Arenal?

Chateau Arenal offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at Chateau Arenal?

Yep, Chateau Arenal has a free self car park.

Is there a spa on site at Chateau Arenal?

There's no onsite spa, but this property does offer services like sports massages.

Does Chateau Arenal have a pool?

Chateau Arenal has an outdoor pool and a kids' pool. Grab your bathers and lounge poolside while enjoying under the shade of an umbrella. The pool is open 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Does Chateau Arenal serve breakfast?

Yep, complimentary continental breakfast is on offer daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Chateau Arenal?

No, Chateau Arenal does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Chateau Arenal?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at Chateau Arenal?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is noon.

Are pets allowed at Chateau Arenal?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Chateau Arenal Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 69 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 24 out of 69 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 69 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 69 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 69 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

7.6/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

RANDY

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel with good breakfast. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Nice pool and jacuzzi. Quiet, neighborhood area with views of the lake, volcano and mountains. We went for a walk and it's very close to the Butterfly Conservatory and a local restaurant. About a 30 min drive from the La Fortuna town center.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

James

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Really enjoyed our stay here. The staff were kind and helpful. Location is lovely, and rooms are super clean. Would absolutely stay here again if we return.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

BRYAN K

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My. Family and I stayed here a week. The staff was very friendly and we enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and excellent small hotel. The view was beautiful and they staff was very friendly and always greeted us with a friendly smile and always went above to make our visit pleasant. If you would like to experience small local Costa Rica I highly recommend this small quiet friendly clean hotel.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Sandra

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We enjoyed the Chateau Arenal very much. If I could add a 1/2 star I would do so. It has a beautiful view, the pool and hot tub are lovely, the food is good and interesting, the drinks are delicious and the people are all amazingly friendly, helpful and kind. My only slightly negative comment is the remote location. While we enjoyed ourselves and loved the view, it was quite a drive to get anywhere.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Gorgeous location!! Delicious food 👍
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Justin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location with relaxing pool and great views of the lake and volcano. Staff was very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elijah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great low-key place to stay in La Fortuna. Amazing view of Volcan Arenal. Zero complaints. Highly recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edna

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Eugene

Travelled with family
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dogs barking, every night,... motorcycles and 4 wheel ATV's running up and down road in front of hotel.... until late at night....and very early every morning...staff friendly and helpful... would not go back because of the noise.....and lack of sleep...
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

James

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The staff were awesome as well as the views. The pool was nice too. Water was cold, and the toilet seat was broken.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Erica

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service

Great breakfast and staff

We enjoyed our stay. The staff were very nice and helpful. Gave suggestions on where to go. The room is small with no tv. The bathroom is shower only and no counter space. There is a very tiny sink. It was raining the whole time we were there, but if not it would have been a great view of the volcano. Most rooms had 1-2 hammock chairs in the back. The breakfast was great and loved the coffee. The sound of the river was very soothing. The pool was nice with beautiful view and hot tub too.
Typical breakfast
Pool view
Pool
Our room. Had a hammock chair in the back.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

1st Costa Rica visit & 1st Hotel stay - wonderful!

This was our first hotel for our first ever visit to Costa Rica. We absolutely loved the room (#15). We had a spectacular view of the the Arenal Volcano and got to see Tucans & humming birds. We visited Baldi Hot Springs and Mistico Swinging Bridges during our stay, both within about a 25 minute drive from the hotel. The staff was superb in customer service and a filling breakfast each morning. While it is a 3+ hour drive from SJO airport, we were so glad to have stayed here as it set a positive vibe for our trip. We even got to see a Coatimundi while driving in to town the first morning of our visit. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to stay here! TIP: When WAZE shows you at the end, drive about another 500' up the hill, past the Butterfly sign, to the hotel entrance on the right.
Our view of the Arenal volcano from room #15 at Chateau Arenal.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Ludger, Alpharetta

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The room was very basic. 2 beds no chairs small bathroom without shelves However with great view of the Vulcano and proximity to the national park trails Infinity swimming pool and hot tub Excellent dinner choice with red snapper and great sides. Very friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Normand

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing view . Poor rom.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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

Travelled 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