Costa Rica Features Hotels Arenal Arenal Kioro | Arenal Kioro |
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Arenal Kioro We booked at the Arenal Kioro for our last night in Costa Rica, and the biggest mistake we made was not booking it for more nights. This hotel is amazing, from start to finish. Let's start - this hotel is the closest you'll get to the volcano. “Arenal Kioro - the best there is” Arenal Kioro We booked at the Arenal Kioro for our last night in Costa Rica, and the biggest mistake we made was not booking it for more nights. This hotel is amazing, from start to finish. Let's start - this hotel is the closest you'll get to the volcano.
Upon arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by the staff. They offered us a drink - we had pina colados, and enjoyed the view from the hotel lobby. It was relaxing, and the staff were extremely professional, helping us with our bags to the room and telling us all about the hotel.
When we got to our room, our jaws dropped. This room was huge! There was a nice sitting area with tables and chairs in the front part, then a section of the room had the gigantic bed with wonderful linens and great pillows. Lots of closet space along with an electronic safe. There was a nice table and chair in front of massive sized windows/doors that overlooked the volcano. This is the best part of the hotel - these large windows and doors from floor to ceiling with a picturesque view of the rumbling volcano. It doesn't get any better than this!
When we walked in, we were lucky enough to see volcano action - the volcano began to rumble with lava spewing out. We caught it on our camera, exciting to say the least! You can even "feel it" in your room...
To top it off, there is a hot tub - large hot tub sitting in front of its own window. This was awesome. The bathroom was super large, with a great shower - one where the water comes from the ceiling. There was actually two parts to the bathroom. The shower room, and then a bathroom with toilet and sink. Very nice and sophisticated.
After checking out our room, we headed to the pool. Very relaxing and serene, sitting right by the volcano. We had lunch there, ordered from the bar, and it was fun. Very clean pool area, wonderful bar staff. What more could you ask for!
After the pool, we went to the "Spa." The spa is our only complaint. I think they definitely need to get their act together here. First, we asked for couple massage, but we were in separate rooms. The massages were in an open room (no AC, just open windows), which was nice but very hot. The massage was okay, not deep tissue like we paid for. Then, we got facials (my guy got the one for men). Again, these were okay, nothing special. The worst was the manicure/pedicure. They had us sit in uncomfortable chairs and put our feet in these small foot spas without any massage effect at all. Not your typical US pedicure (which I love). I felt like they didn't quite know what they were doing. The pedicure was awful. She didn't have a steady hand, and it turned out very badly but not as bad as my manicure. I asked for french manicure and this was a huge mistake, it was so bad that after a few hours, it chipped and I ended up just taking it off. I was about to cry thinking about how much I paid for it...complete waste. If you're going to use their spa, do not, and I repeat, do not get a manicure or pedicure. Waste of money for sure! (Unless they got better, but still, it's not US quality).
After the spa, we relaxed in our room, and then headed to dinner at their restaurant. Fabulous, fabulous food. Very fresh and again great service. Top notch. The view was superb - again right in view of the volcano.
We enjoyed the night in our hot tub, and this was unbeatable. We were waiting anxiously for activity but we didn't get a chance to see any, it was very cloudy. But we did see activity the day before, so that was exciting. The only complaint here was no night room service. I think it stops at 10 PM, but we were craving for a drink to enjoy in the hot tub. Let down! They should definitely have room service to at least 2 AM. If not, bring your own stuff to enjoy later in the room!
The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet. Wow - it was loaded with delicious foods, lots of fresh fruits, pancakes. I don't think we paid for it, I think it came with the hotel. What a treat! Everything was thought-out with this hotel. No detail missed. Staff was professional, courteous, spoke good English, helpful. Room was amazing for the price (if you had this room in the US, you'd be paying at least $500 plus if not more). Room was breathtaking, unbelievable, hot tub was bonus. Pool was relaxing. Get as many nights as you can here, if you can afford it. It's well worth it. We loved it, and would stay here again in a heart beat!
“Best view ever!” Arenal Kioro We arrived here quite late and checked in no problem.Staff very curteous. Our room was a twin and huge! 2 big beds and a type of 3rd bed as well. They all have a big hot tub and the bathroom was spotless.
I opened the curtains at night and could see an outline of the volcano but when I had a look first thing in the morning - WOW! you are literally at the foot of a real volcano! The view was stunning and a lot closer than I thought it would be. The clouds had cleared and I got some great photos.
We went to breakfast, which was in a lovely room and the volcano was crystal clear (it can change in a second though) . You can eat your breakfast and just stare striaght up at the smoking mountain top.
the facilities at the hotel are great if you like spa treaments but beware - they are expensive! The grounds are lovely and they have a pool and also a games room. The bar will shut early though if they're not busy. Free internet access as well.
If you want to be right by the volcano and you want top quality, then this is the hotel you should stay at. “Awesome” Arenal Kioro We stayed at this hotel for two nights in mid Aug, 2008...The hotel was super clean, people and staff very friendly and accomodating, ambiance and food excellent, room and panaromaic views above expectations and eco friendly
If you have a chance to stay at this hotel it is well worth it..We didnt want to leave
“Loved this hotel! Absolutely fantastic!” Arenal Kioro We stayed at the Kioro for two nights (Aug 2,3). This hotel exceeded my expectations. The view of the volcano is magnificent (and, yes, you can see it, contrary to other reviews) when the clouds clear which they do generally midday. The hotel is seriously close to the base of the volcano. It is not on the side currently to view the lava flow, but the hotel itself completely makes up for this fact. The cascading hot springs and pool are in complete view of the volcano which is amazing. There is a poolside bar which will deliver you any drink or even lunch if you wish. The staff is very friendly and more than helpful.
The restaurant is clean and open-air, so if you are worried about bugs, this country is not the place for you, as most of the restaurants are like this. The dinner prices were a little high, but no more than you would pay in a moderate restaurant in the US.
We brought our 3 boys (ages 5,8,9) here and they loved it. The room had 3 beds and a hot tub with a pictureque view of the volcano. We would definitely go back!
“Heaven” Arenal Kioro If I cant get into heaven please just let me spend eternity here! The resort is gorgeous with cascading waterfalls flowing from one hot tub pool to the next all surrounded by exquisite exotic flowers and all with a direct view of the volcano. The breakfast buffet was huge, extensive and delicious with made to order omeletes, fruit,cold cuts, pastry and yogurts. We even saw people loading up extras for their lunch. The rooms are fabulous and have floor to ceiling windows most looking directly at the volcano. The fact that the walk in shower is a little oddly placed, seperate from the bathroom is minor. Did not use the big jacuzzi in the room but looked like it would be great fun for a couple. The two queen beds in my room were HUGE and extremely comfortable and there was a seperate sofa bed. One of the highlights of my life will be waking up at 4am to hear the howler monkeys in the distance and sitting watching the glow of the volcano from my easy chair!
“Great Resort and Location” Arenal Kioro We stayed at Arenal Kioro for 3 nights as part of an Adventures by Disney trip to Costa Rica. The hotel was beautiful, all the rooms faced the volcano. We went to the other side of the volcano for zip lining, and saw the volcano erupt. The next night we went back and saw the volcano erupt again. Fantastic sight!
The grounds at the hotel are very tropical, lush and well maintained. The staff was very accommodating. Would definitely stay here again.
“Incredible view, very friendly staff” Arenal Kioro We stayed for 4 days in Arenal Kioro. The hotel is very nice and the gardens and volcano view are impressive. The best of all is the staff who are very professional and friendly. They helped a lot to find our lost baggage.
Outdoor jacuzzis are very nice and our children loved them
Location is about 10 minutes taxi drive from La Fortuna, but we do not consider this as an incovenient as the site is excellent.
The only inconvenient is that it is a bit overpriced
“trip to costarica” Arenal Kioro The Arenal Kioro was really good. You have a hot tub in your room and a big shower. You get 3 beds, 2 queen and 1 single. The pool is warm. The food is great. The view is the best. The maid is good. There are cats walking around. In the game room there is ping pong and pool. There is some bad stuff. Our air vent didn't work. The smell in the bathroom. The hot springs didn't work when I went. Some adventures you should go on are the zip line, hike with the butter flies, and to the hot springs not in the hotel.
“Nice hotel, but expensive and lacking in charm” Arenal Kioro This hotel is luxurious, you can't deny that. We travelled there slightly off peak towards the end of May and the place was virtually empty, which gave it a quite spacious feeling but it was a bit strange being the only people in the hot springs on an evening.
The rooms are well appointed as you would expect for the price, and have stunning views of the volcano (non active side!) when the cloud cover breaks, which it does occasionally. The staff are friendly, as is nearly always the case in Costa Rica and as you would expect waste no time in getting you to sign up to the trips, which are expensive but were worth the money.
There are really only a couple of things to point out to you by way of advice if you are thinking of staying here: firstly, don't eat at the restaurant in the hotel. It's a complete rip off and you will get better food for a third of the price at Don Rufino's or elsewhere in La Fortuna town centre. Secondly, this hotel, by virtue of being close to the volcano, is quite far out (10km) from La Fortuna itself so you will need to get a taxi into town each evening, which we thoroughly recommend doing.
We would probably not stay there again as it was a one-off luxury trip but if you do fancy seeing fireworks from the volcano at night, the arenal observatory lodge is the only property on the right side of the volcano to see this.
“Nice. Too Expensive. Watch for pitfalls. I recommend you read this!” Arenal Kioro Just left the hotel and felt it necessary to review it as soon as possible. To give you reference on my travel experience: My wife, brother and I have traveled the world, staying in 4- and 5-star hotels.
The hotel is cleary very nice. There's not much out toward the volcano, so if you are like me, it is a decision between Kioro and Tabacon. We briefly visited Tabacon, but I cannot offer any review about it. I can, however, give you these important points:
1. Every other hotel in Costa Rica provides some type of refreshment as a courtesy upon arriving a the hotel. It's just a wonderful bit of hospitality to greet you after traveling through the jungle. Kioro will also offer you something, but it is going on your tab. Be aware.
2. This staff (like most other CR hotels) is pleasant but definitely will push their own agenda. We wanted an outside telephone line so we could arrage a tour. The operator basically wouldn't tell me how to do it without knowing who I was calling and why. Too intrusive. Too pushy.
3. STAY AWAY FROM THEIR $45/PP NIGHT TOUR OF THE VOLCANO. A total and utter rip off. The three of us hired a guide and car for the ENTIRE DAY (including the evening viewing of the volcano) for $100. There is no reason whatsoever you should pay $45/pp for a 10 min car ride up the street. Don't let them draw you in with their video of it either (another added cost push they hit you with at check in). It seems like a time-share strategy for selling excursions.
4. The room is nice and SPACIOUS. The woman making my reservation (hotel employee) was not clear on the telephone just how much room there is. Each suite can hold 5 people easy. We ended up getting 2 rooms (a 10 person capacity) for just the three of us. I'm not sure how calculated that was on the hotel's part.
5. Kioro has the worst restaurant food of any place we've been to in Costa Rica hands down. This includes the nothing "airports" in the middle of nowhere. I had a chicken sandwich in which the sticky, disgusting cheese had somehow permanently bonded with the upper layer. Terrible. Each lunch and dinner was an atrocious experience. Burned arepas, burned sweet plaintains, burned cheese, the worst arroz con pollo we've ever had. The list goes on. Stay away.
6. Kioro does have "hot springs", but they are not true thermals. This fact is disguised. Personally I couldn't tell the difference between true thermals (we went to Eco Thermales which was awesome) and the Kioro layered jaccuzzi. You will need to decide for yourself, but you should know that their "thermals" are not true volcano thermals. Tabacon does, however, have true thermals.
7. This hotel is not on the active side of the volcano. Only the Arenal Observatory Lodge is on the active side.
8. Finally, this hotel does not know how to handle issues. We made 8 telephone calls (after finally getting the dial out code), however we were under the impression calls were free. There was no notice on the phone and the staff did not mention anything. Come bill time they hit us for $20 for literally 5 minutes of calls. We expressed to them that it is unfair to take advantage of tourists for $1/min without being clear that calls are charged. Despite the fact we plunked down $1500.00 at this place the management refused to give us any courtesy on this issue. Because of this, I told the hotel staff I was writing this review.
I so rarely give long, biting reviews but this hotel really had it coming. Yes, it is nice. Yes, the volcano is right there. But it is too expensive and there are too many other hang ups. If we ever come back to Arenal we would stay at Tabacon.
“Simple Luxury, Closest to Volcano” Arenal Kioro We and another couple stayed here for 4 nights. The road from San Jose is not as bad as we thought, but make sure to start driving as early as possible, since the fog creeps in starting early afternoon on the roads. The hotel is located literally on the slopes of Arenal, a few miles up from town. The room was very large and clean, with beautiful large windows that looked out onto the hotel's garden and up to the volcano. The rooms have AC, and there is a large hot tub in the room. The whole property is pretty new and everything is maintained beautifully. The property is very quiet and relaxing, and since there are only 50 or so guestrooms, none of the facilities are ever crowded. Great breakfast spread, and free internet in the lobby. Concierge was helpful in showing what tours we could take but we opted to generally drive down into town to the Desafio office and book tours directly with them. It's very helpful to have a car while there, since the town is not within walking distance. To do musts in this area are white water rafting and the horseback ride (or zipline) to La Fortuna waterfalls. Only con was the hot springs, which seemed more like hot tubs than mineral springs. We didn't go to Tabacon so don't know what we missed out on, but overall thought the hot springs were overrated.
“Breathtaking & peaceful vacation at the Kioro” Arenal Kioro We (husband, wife,14year old son) just got back from our trip to Costa Rica (April 5 through April 13, 2008) and the Kioro Hotel was our first stop for two nights. I wish we would have added another day at this hotel. We landed in Liberia airport and a private driver drove us approx. 2 hours to this hotel. The streets were good despite what I have heard from the travel agent. It's a nice drive around Lake Arenal and pretty curvy. The hotel lies nestled in lush tropical vegetation right in front of the volcano. We were very, very lucky to have clear dry weather and the volcano was visible all the time. The people at the hotel are so friendly and outstanding!!! We were greeted with a welcome drink and did not even have to walk up the counter to check-in. They did everything while we sat in the outside lobby and enjoyed the view and the drink. The room was SPECTACULAR! Very big! Two queensize beds with the most amazing view of the volcano and a very good twin bed (sofa) seperated behind a half wall for our son. Every room has also a hot tub and a very generous bathroom with a seperate shower. Huge! The most amazing thing was the view from the room to the volcano. You could lay in bed and just watch the volcano or the birds flying around in the beatiful garden. Lots of humming birds and other colorful birds. We were in room 101, which is very close to the lobby & restaurant. All rooms have the same good view. There is no bad room at this hotel!!! We got up with the birds and sat in the hot tub starring out to the volcano. The gardens at the hotel are also very outstanding. The most beautiful flowers are everywhere. The hotel has their own hot springs!!! This is so picturesque, you have to see it for yourself. We sat in the hot springs and starred at the volcano, which rumbles off and on and throws out a few rocks. Very surreal!!!! The hot springs are quite "hot" and range in temperature from -I believe- 98F to 104F. The swimming pool water is also warm. The bar at the pool area makes the most delicious tropical fruit drinks / smoothies. The restaurant is also very good and we enjoyed our food and it tasted good, but my husband did not feel well the next day and he thinks it was the food. The thing is that they don't cool everything like we do. So I suggest you better take precautions. I ate lots of the delicious tropical fruits for breakfast and I had omelettes and for lunch salads and for dinner I had the fish with the heart of palms. Delicious. My teenage son had most of the time the typical costa rican rice & beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My husband only had that one meal (beef / steak) and he swears that made him sick to the stomach. But who knows what it really was...could have been anything.
From the hotel we took the Volcano & Hot Springs Tour and it was fabulous. Very worth going on this tour. Wear sneakers! Shorts and T-shirt are fine. You do a light hike for approx. 2 hours to the volcano and back through the rainforest. Very cool! You see quite a few animals and you hear the volcano rumble very good. You can even see the rocks flying out and falling down along the top. At night you see the lava.
After the hike they drove us to the Tabacon Hot Springs were we enjoyed the hot springs in the dark. This is a huge place and lots of people bathing in the hot springs, but you never feel crowded. You always have areas where you are just by yourself. Dinner was included in this tour and they served buffet style. This was just ok.
I can highly recommed the Arenal area and especially the Kioro Hotel with it's fabulous view of the hotel and it's friendly staff. It's almost a zen-like feeling at the hotel. I wish I would know how to meditate, because this would be the place to do it.
Next stop for us on this Costa Trip was the Hilton Papagayo at the Golfo de Papagayo and then the Hotel Parador in the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area. Please read those reviews too.
Two thumbs up for the Kioro Hotel !!! I'll add some pictures later after I figured out how to do it.
“Fabulous rooms!” Arenal Kioro This is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in (move over Four Seasons, Washington, DC). The rooms are better than great---especially if you want to be separated from your teenager daughter and make your Hot Tub junkie husband happy. The twin bed is in a separate part of the room with its own desk, there is a hot tub in the room, one wall is glass with black-out drapes. And everything is new, clean, and close to perfect. The pool is great, the view is great (pastoral), the gardens are new and getting better every day. And the service is great--but it is one place in Costa Rica where you get points for speaking Spanish. And there is a new eco-thermal pool sequence of small jacuzzis down the hillside---not the traditional eco-thermal pool you would envision but fun! Oh, the food is not always for Americans---but I enjoyed the real Costa Rican food and the fruit was amazing.
“Gotta se it” Arenal Kioro We stayed at this place for three nights in February 2008. As in other posts, the rooms are spacious, the view is amazing, and the breakfast is delicious. The property has great plants and wildlife, plenty of property to walk, relaxing and private pools, and a bar. Notice I did not use a descriptive term to describe the bar . . . it was intentional... don’t bother. The bar had nothing special (except the view) and the prices were outrageous. Even when we tried to complain about the bar-tab, it fell on deaf ears.
There are two computers to use, free of charge, but one is very slow, and as more and more people become computer literate, they are frequently in use!
On out last day, at breakfast, we even met the owner. In fact, one of our travel mates met him earlier in the work out room.
Not only did the room have a view and hot-tub, the shower was LARGE!!!
The view of the volcano was clear everyday, but we told that this was not normal and we should be very thankful. We are!!
“Very Good Place” Arenal Kioro Of the 3 hotels we stayed at in Costa Rica (including Los Suenos) the Kioro was far and away the best. The staff was great, the rooms were big, very clean and relatively modern and most importantly it was a good few miles from the hustle and bustle of the hot springs.
“Fabulous!!” Arenal Kioro I viewed the hotel on their web site and it didn't look so great, but my travel agent/girlfriend told me she was staying there, I decided it must be OK. The hotel is beautiful, (except for the dining room). Check in was a breeze, the entire staff was so pleasant and spoke great english. Our room was so nice, much better than the web site! There were a few wrinkles though. We couldn't close our screen door as the handle from the glass door was in the way!! It was so silly. Also our electronic room key did not work twice so we had to go all the way back to the reception (which is a pretty far walk) to get someone up to fix it, which they did quickly. The room was very clean and big. I had my Apple with me and it would not work in the room, only in the reception area where they have wi-fi. The dining room is so huge, it is like a reception hall!! The breakfasts were great, and we only ate dinner there once, too many other cool places in town. Be sure to go to Eco Thermales for a hot spring soak and dinner, make a reservation first. The best place, we went 2 nights in a row!! The volcano is now flowing lava from the other side so you won't see it from the hotel, but take a hike and you might catch it.We saw it throwing rocks. We went zip lining too, what a blast. The hanging bridges tour was fabulous. It's a beautiful part of Costa Rica!! We booked all our tours from the states, and they were fabulous. Excellent Adventures. Our guide, Carlos was very knowledgeable, and so sweet. I would go back to Kioros in a minute, a great stay.No place is perfect!!
“Great Volcano View (But Don't Expect a lot of Molten Lava)” Arenal Kioro I stayed at the Arenal Kioro for three days in early February of 2008. When I arrived, I was greeted by "Laura," (at the reception desk) who was courteous, friendly and very professional. She is also reasonably fluent in English (because she lived in the USA for a while). My hotel room was clean and beautiful; with an indoor hot tub, separate shower and bathtub, and a panoramic view of the volcano. The volcano rumbled and exploded with "popping" sounds throughout the night - very cool!
Although the restaurant in the Arenal Hotel is convenient, the dinner menu is overpriced and dull. I had dinner in the hotel restaurant on my first night and immediately decided to dine elsewhere for the remainder of my stay. On the other hand, the breakfast buffet is good; especially the fresh fruits.
If you want to dine on delicious food, go to "Don Rufino" Restaurant in nearby La Fortuna de San Carlos. It's very popular with the local Costa Ricans and its menu selection is excellent (and not overpriced). You can get to Don Rufino - via local taxi - for around US $10.00. When you want to return to the hotel, the staff at Don Rufino will graciously summon another taxi for you...no worries.
The Arenal Kioro Hotel provides free Internet service 24 hours a day. There are two pcs (located near the main reception area). The pcs are a useful amenity and I used the Internet to send a few messages to my friends in the USA (and to review the headline news on Google). The hotel also has a spa, pool and a small fitness facility for folks (like me) who enjoy daily work-outs.
Thank you for your time! Cheers, Surferdoc
“Not Bad, But Not Great” Arenal Kioro This was the first stop of our honeymoon. In our 3 days there, we never saw the volcano because the rain and clouds were so dense, views were totally limited to the grounds. While the hotel is nice and the rooms are very large, it feels sterile in many ways. There were water leaks all over our rooms - puddles of water during the rain storms. They claimed this was the dry season, but I think we saw sun for maybe 10 minutes total up there. We made the best of it - but for the hefty prices (the rooms, the food, etc), there are better places that we saw in the area. I would think twice before booking a room here. It was pretty much to weakest part of our trip.
“Lovely hotel” Arenal Kioro My husband and I spent two nights at the Kioro at the beginning of January as part of a tour of Costa Rica. Check in was extremely smooth and the young man was very informative and helpful. The room was beautiful and the view of the Volcano is wonderful. You can no longer see the lava from the hotel, because it has shifted to the other side of the volcano. The grounds are simply beautiful and everything is well maintained. We found the meals at the restaurant very good.
The Kioro is lovely and the people of Costa Rica extremely friendly and helpful. The only complaint we have is the hot tub in the room smells moldy, especially when the jets are turned on. We would definitely recommend this hotel.
“Nice but there are is better value else where” Arenal Kioro We stayed at the Arenal Kioro for 2 nights arriving from Peace Lodge (the drive to Arenal from peace Lodge is about 2 hours). The hotel is very beautiful but definitely not value for money at $400/night and definitely not a five star as they claim. For half the price, I would stay here again but not at that price. Also, they do not have view of the lava flow (as they claim in brochures) even on a clear day. I was told by our guide at the sky tram that Arenal Observatory lodge was the closest and most direct facing resort to the volcano. He also gave us another important tip – when you exit the volcano national park, make a left and make a left again at the T-intersection. Drive for about 10 minutes and you will go over a wooden bridge (over a river). Right by the bridge is a good spot to view lava after dark. The other place he recommended for viewing lava flow was the restaurant at the Arenal observatory lodge (we did not go there). When we went by the bridge, it was very cloudy and a good chunk of the volcano was covered. However, after waiting for a few minutes we were able to see bright orange lava coming down the mountains (you only see it for a few seconds before they turn black unless it is a clear day and you are seeing it closer to the eruption site). We also did the hike on the volcano trail (easy 30 minutes each way) but other than enjoying the hike, you don’t really see any thing.
The restaurant at Areanl Kioro served decent breakfast (included in room rate) but the dinner was uninspiring and expensive (about $120 for 2 with a glass of wine). I would recommend going to La Fortuna, which has plenty more options. Also, if you drive around, there are tons of accommodation options lot o which offer much better value for money as they are privately run, do not invest in fancy web sites. We did not visit any of them but from the look outside it appeared to give a sense of what that place might be like. Also, I believe it is acceptable in Costa Rica to ask to inspect the room before committing to it. If you are renting a car, I would recommend doing this as you may be able to get good accommodations around $100 as opposed to paying $400.
General tips: We were in Costa Rica for a week and rented a car. If you rent a car, do get GPS as signs are rare and far in-between. The GPS was a life saver. Roads were not terrible as I expected although I would not compare it to any thing in the US or Europe. People seemed friendly and we did not feel scared or threatened at any time and we drove to every where (local restaurant in La Fortuna and in San Jose). I would not recommend driving in San Jose down town area unless you have already driven in other developing countries with aggressive driving. If you are renting with Europcar, be aware that they do not have a counter at the airport (most other car rental companies do) and you have to call they to be picked up or take a cab. It was very frustrating as we called and were told 10 minutes. We called every 10 minutes and were told the same thing with no shuttle 90 minutes later when we took a cab. The office was very disorganized. The car was nice and return was easy. Most car agencies have similar cars so go with any reputed rental agency.
“Beautiful grounds but a few complaints” Arenal Kioro I have never posted a review on Trip Advisor before but I felt I should post a review on the Kioro after just having stayed for 3 nights (Dec. 7-10). First, I should preface by saying the grounds are beautiful and the resort is very nicely maintained. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and the views of the volcano, while obscured by the clouds, were impressive.
I do have a couple of complaints, however. First, the restaurant is sub-par at best. My family and I live in Los Angeles and eat out quite a bit, while we weren't expecting great food we had just arrived at the Kioro from the Paradisus Playa Conchal, where we had much better food than we anticipated. Our first night at the Kioro we ate at the hotel's restaurant and were very disappointed. First, there were bugs everywhere. I hesitate saying this because I realize it may sound high maintenance but there were literally bugs all over the ceiling and they were falling into our food. We did not experience this at any other restaurant during our 10 day stay in Costa Rica. After about 30 minutes or so the wait staff closed the main window which helped a bit. The food was okay, nothing great but a dinner for 3 (one of which is a five year old) cost $175, which I found a bit on the high side for Costa Rica.
My bigger complaints are that we felt the staff continously tried to overcharge us for certain services. My husband asked the front desk for a quote to go to Monteverde for a day. We were shocked when they told us it would be $600 (transportation for 3, two tours and lunch). We asked how much for just the transportation and were told $20 less per person. The strange thing was we contaced Desafio tours directly and were told the taxi-boat-taxi transportation would be just $25 per person. The problem was that the transportation gets you into Monteverde at noon and the last shuttle leaving Monteverde back to La Fortuna is at 1:50 (leaving less than 2 hours to explore the area). I suspect that the tour operator the Kioro uses has some deal where they can provide later transportation, which is how they somehow justify the enormous disparity in cost.
Next, after our night at the restaurant we decided to eat in La Fortuna for the next two nights (which is a 10 minute or so cab ride away). We asked the front desk how much a shuttle would cost and were told $20 per person. This didn't make sense to us given that all three of us would be in one car, the front desk said this was the rate charged by all shuttle services. Fortunately, we had our guide books with us and contacted Arenal Taxi directly. We were charged between $7-8 total each way (regardless of the number of passengers) each evening we used them. Arenal Taxi was great, every driver we had was very friendly and drived safely. The upside is that we ate at Don Rufino and Las Brasitas and both restaurants were the best food we had in Costa Rica, I highly recommend doing this rather than eating in the hotel.
The bottom line is I wouldn't recommend this hotel because we really felt like they tried to overcharge us. The staff wasn't particularly friendly either (with the exception of the woman who greeted us and went over the hotel's amenities the first day we arrived - I can't remember her name unfortunately). We did have a few nice experiences, the horse back ride to Fortuna Falls (done by Vargas Tours) was fantastic, and this was very reasonable price-wise. We also arranged a nice hike to the Arenal Nature preserve, using Desafio directly.
If you choose to stay here, you can have a nice experience just book your taxi services and tours directly through the applicable companies.
“Great time with Volcano view” Arenal Kioro My wife and I had a great honeymoon at hotel Kioro. The property was nice and well maintained. We asked the cab driver on the way there to stop by the store and we were glad we did. They charged for bottled water, so I suggest picking some up before you get there. We saw a sloth on the way to the hotel (the driver pulled off to the side of the road to show us. Upon arrival we were offered a complementary drink. The hotel has a shuttle that they will take you to your room if it is far away (ours was the furthest out, and not too much of a walk). Everyone was very friendly. I recommend meeting some people and taking a cab to get to the hanging bridges. You can see monkeys without a guide and save alot of money. The hotel had a breakfast buffet that was included. The rooms have Jacuzzis with every room looking out to the volcano. We had great luck seeing the volcano with little clouds in the way. I also recommend telling your cab driver that you want to see the lava and if you go at dusk, you can see it from a road they will take you to (depending on which way it is flowing). There is a restaurant very close to the hotel and they will shuttle you there at no charge (the driveway is long and steep and dark, so you don't want to be doing that walk at night). I recommend getting the casado plate if you are on a budget. My wife and I would share a casado plate and some ceviche and maybe a desert. The hotel has their own hot springs - a free shuttle ride from their property) (which I have heard from others that they aren't as hot as other places) but they were plenty hot for me. We had the hot spring pools to ourselves as bus loads of people were loaded into the hotsprings nextdoor. They have internet in the lobby, which was nice to report on what a lovely time we were having.
“They don't come any nicer than this” Arenal Kioro The Arenal Kioro is perfect starting with the cordial welcome with a glass of wine. The grounds are beautiful and the view of the volcano are the best. Every room--I should say suite--has a volcano view. The suites are spacious and decorated in a very chic urban style that still pays homage to its tropical setting. The hot tub in the room--with a great view of the volcano of course--is a wonderful touch. The bed was very comfortable and the sitting area was great. The pool is very nice and there is a spa although we didn't use either as we were too busy with sightseeing and enjoying the hot tub. The bathroom is great with the huge shower separate from the toilet and double sink area. HIgh quality shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soaps. Great restaurant--all open to the volcano and a good variety on the menu. Excellent breakfast buffet including omelet station. We hated to leave we liked it so much.
“Loved Arenal Kioro” Arenal Kioro We stayed here in November for 4 nights in room 801 and loved every minute of it. The room had 2 double beds and a jacuzzi that easily accommodated 4 people. The hotel boasts views of the volcano from the room but unfortunately it was cloudy the whole time we were there so we didn’t get to enjoy the view. Since we landed in San Jose early in the day, we decided to get a driver to drop us off at Arenal Kioro that day to avoid spending the first night in San Jose. This was a good move as we checked in by 5pm, freshened up and had dinner at the hotel. The food at dinner was okay, nothing special and was a little over priced compared to other restaurants in Arenal. But we were tired and wanted to get to bed early.
The hotel had a great spread for breakfast, including made to order eggs. The internet service in the lobby is free but the service does go down and takes some time to get repaired. Arenal Kioro does not have hot springs on their grounds but offers a shuttle every 2 hours to Titoku, which we used every night. It was a great way to end an adventurous day and is complementary for hotel guests, so we never made it to Tabacon. We loved it here and made the most of it. We went to Titoku every evening for about 2 hours and then showered and got ready for dinner.
Alexjandria at the front desk was extremely helpful during our stay. All of the staff were pleasant and helped in any way they could.
If you have an opportunity to stay here, then do it. You won’t regret it.
“Fantastic view, lacked a little atmosphere” Arenal Kioro Firstly the view is stunning and we were lucky not to have too much cloud or rain, although it is the rainy season, and got wonderful views of the volcano. Even though the lava is on the other side, we could still see a red glow at the top when is was dark and particularly clear. If you want to see the actual red rocks you need to take a taxi round to the Observatory Lodge, taxis are quite expensive - $20 each way, but the driver sat happily for a few hours as we watched the lava and had drinks on the large terrace. You're so close you can actually hear the rocks as they're crashing down - definitely worth it. As are the hanging bridges. We had a guide to ourselves, Jose who was fantastic, and as it's the low season there were hardly any people on the trail, so it felt like we had the whole jungle to ourselves and the sounds were amazing. It also meant the very high bridges weren't too shaky with loads of people! We saw snakes, monkeys and a tarantula. The horse trek we went on wasn't quite how I imagined it. I thought it would be quite gentle, but was actually exhausting. A long couple of hours up steep hills and through streams in the heat with no shade, on horses that dragged you through every bush and low tree! The zip lines here are excellent. There are so many activities to do, the hotel does have lots of information, and it's worth plotting either in advance or on your first day what you want to do there, otherwise you might feel like you've missed out on something. There are longer trips which combine activites, so it's worth looking at those.
We tried the Tabacon Hot Springs at night, which were also expensive $40 each plus a taxi ride there and back, and we were only going for a couple of hours. They were nice with tons of different pools, but there was something a bit seedy about it, worth taking a look though. The Kioro offers free entry to their own springs, with a shuttle bus to take and collect you. These were much smaller, more purpose built, but very nice and you can charge drinks to your room.
We loved our few days in Arenal and La Fortuna is a sweet, busy little town. The only small down side to the hotel room was that it didn't have a balcony that you could sit on, just stand. After you've done your mornings activities, it would have been nice to sit somewhere attached to your room with a book, in the fresh air. There is a seating area next to the vast window which slides open, but you either let the mosquitos in or pull across the grill, which does obscure your view. There is a lovely pool area to sit round, but as we were the only people there as the hotel seemed deserted, and the afternoon drizzle coming and going, we felt a bit exposed. All the staff were very friendly. We didn't have dinner in the restaurant as it felt a little too formal for what we were after, but the breakfast buffet was great. I think the place would have more of a buzz about it in the busier season, so they can't really be faulted for the lack of atmosphere.
“Great Choice for volcano” Arenal Kioro My husband and I stayed at the Hotel Arenal Kioro for 3 nights in February of 2007, and very much enjoyed our stay.
To start with, the rooms were amazing- very large, open, private hottub, pretty comfortable beds, very nice large shower, and AMAZING views of the volcano. In addition, the grounds were very well kept. The hotel was amazingly quiet and our service was wonderful there.
We ate at the restaurant for breakfast daily which was above average (hot food, granola, fruit buffet style) and also ate there once for dinner. We were not impressed with our dinner at the restaurant- we had better, less expensive meals in LaFortuna, but that is my one complaint of the stay.
We would recommend this highly for the view and wonderful rooms!
“not yet 5 star but getting there” Arenal Kioro Over the past 15 months I have stayed at this hotel for a number of times and saw its ongoing improvements in respect to Guest Services and Product. I think now is the time to write a Review, in the end of last month I have been here for 3 nights.
In general the Employees attitude is very good and does match most of the Standards required by a 5 star hotel every one is friendly and always very helpful. The Property is a Family managed operation and every one from the owner down is trying to please each and every Guest
The Hotel Operation has come a long way since the opening and did improve its Guest Services, Standards and Product in many ways. In principal the overall Hotel Complex is of modern design missing in the presentation of the building more decoration this also goes for the garden and swimming pool areas.
The Guest Rooms are nice, of great size and well equipped with TV Mini bar and Jacuzzi the only issue which need to be improved are the Guest Amenities and more focus on details. The shower for example is not very functional and could easily be improved; on the other hand I am not to sure that the water of the Jacuzzi as I was told is changed every day, the only question I would have in respect to the Guest Rooms.
The Restaurant needs improvement in respect to its presentation, at this point it does look more like a Banquet hall rather then a Restaurant. The food has come a very long way; it is still quite pricy for the level of the Restaurant however the products used are in general of good quality. The only down side is the Break fast buffet, it is still way below international standards and needs urgent improvements, in both the presentation as well as the quality.
Room service is not offered 24 hours a day as required for a 5 star hotel, further the Food Presentation as well as the Temperature does not meet the requirements needed to truly satisfy a Guest.
The Spa of the property is well decorated but needs improvements in respect to the Treatment Services and in regards to the Service Protocol. As of now it is not a High end International Spa, quite a number of Treatment details are still missing and the Therapists still have a long way to go to manage high end standards.
The Hotel Resort has just been opened; it is a small hot spring water resort, next to Baldi which is the main Problem, if you try to find peace and rest, the operator of Baldi will for sure spoil your day. The music is so loud and of such poor quality that you will have no chance to enjoy your stay. The landscaping is well done however it is a shame that every thing is man made it would have been nicer if natural rocks and for the water falls would have been used.
While I was there the new tennis court was just being completed and does add to the Guest service product, the same goes for the New Boutique. The Banquet facilities are in use but not yet fully operational for banquet or event services.
All in all the hotel is getting there, for me the Room Rate, Food as well as Beverage prices are quite high for the product of today and more attention for details needs to be put in place when it comes to Guest Services and Training. Lets see how the hotel is going from here in the near future.
For as much as the Volcano few is great it also comes with a risk, in case of an eruption the hotel will face serious problems, the property is very close to say the least and my take the full impact on any and all events regarding the Volcano.
“Great service at a great location” Arenal Kioro Kioro is one of the newer resorts in Arenal and according to locals one of the more expensive as well. However, we would gladly stay there again as the service was top notch and the location and views can not be beat. The rooms are all very large and feature a back wall mostly of glass so that your view to the Volcano from the rooms is amazing. The jacuzzi in the room is a great way to wind down after hiking or other activities and it also is up against the glass making for a relaxing experience with a volcano view. We went during the "rainy season" but in reality the days were beautiful and the rain, when it came, usually lasted less than an hour or two. It never interfered with our plans. I highly recommend doing the waterfall rapelling tour through Desafio tours- it is an amazing experience and very safe as well. The guides were fantastic. We were fortunate enough to have clear skies at most times which allowed us to see the volcano erupt and the lava flow (not viewable from the hotel but a short car ride to the back side of the volcano or a trip with a tour company can get you there). The food was decent but not great but we weren't really there for the food anyway and the 2 meals we had in town were both very enjoyable.
“Excellent stay!!” Arenal Kioro We were enthralled with the hotel and the views from the moment we arrived! The volcano views are absolutely stunning; its hard to take your eyes away from it because you are so close! We heard the rumble of the volcano and saw lava rocks spewing during our stay. It was very exciting and a little frightening. Also, even though we were there during the rainy ("green") season the weather was generally clear and sunny. We were able to see the cone of the volcano each day we were there.
The rooms at the hotel are spacious, comfortable and extremely well kept. We had a scary moment with a scorpion in the bathroom, but it gave us a good story to share with friends back home! The food at the restaurant is good, especially the breakfast. We found the staff to be friendly and hard-working. Our only complaint was that our bill was not accurrate at check-out time. Luckily, a staff member quickly resolved the issue and was very apologetic and polite.
The horseback riding trip to La Paz waterfall (organized by the hotel) was very fun. We had a fantastic time doing the Sky Tram /Trek canopy tour. It was quite an adrenaline rush! We also had a wonderfully relazing and romantic evening at the hotel's hot springs.
We highly recommend Arenal Kioro!!
“Great rooms, perfect jumping off point for excursions” Arenal Kioro My wife and I loved this hotel. Big, comfortable, clean rooms, an extremely friendly staff, and of course an incredible view. It doesn't have a ton of ammenities - but that should be expected from a hotel with only 53 suites. The breakfast (included) was good, and the hotel is a short ride to a host of great excursions. We also stayed in Guanacaste, and many of the people we talked to complained about 2 and 3 hour drives. That would ruin anyone's day. Book this hotel, and make the most of the Tabacon Hot Springs, the volcano hike (which is a low intensity walk), and any number of canopy tours. We also stayed at the Paradisus Playa Conchal and Marriott San Jose, which were both wonderful, but for some reason this hotel is the one we talk about the most with our family and friends.
“Great hotel!!!” Arenal Kioro My husband, sister, brother in law and I all drove in (by transfer) from San Jose airport. We stayed here for two nights and then off to Villa Caletas in Jaco - read my other review on this hotel! Anyway, we loved Arenal Kioro. When we arrived, the staff greeted us with a welcome cocktail. The open air lobby and view was amazing, but the pictures of the hotel are a little different than what we expected. The rooms and grounds are absolutely beautiful! But, you don't see any Lava at night like they advertise. We did hear some loud "booms" at night with some pinkish/red smoke coming out of the volcano, but never saw the lava. The staff was very friendly, but when I left my phone at the hotel, I couldn't seem to get ANYONE to figure out how to send it to me. Long story, I had to get a new phone. This was a big disappointment seeing how it could have been very simple to mail to me at the new hotel I was staying at for 3 nights, or even send to my home. The food was okay, nothing great and only one restaurant. B'fast was not the greatest. However, we did get the Hot Springs experience the first night of arriving and it was a blast! The food they serve at the hot springs was nasty. We ate it anyway and ended up ordering a pizza later that night. We also did the zip line tour, which was a total blast! My sister and I also had a mud massage at the hotel. It was fabulous and worth every penny! I would recommend it to anyone. I will definitely recommend this hotel to travelers. After staying at two hotels in Costa Rica, I've come to the conclusion that "SERVICE" is not what they're known for. Maybe on my next trip to Central America, I'll try an all inclusive resort.
“Beautiful!” Arenal Kioro We stayed at Arenal Kioro for the first 2 nights of our honeymoon. It was amazing. The landscaping was pristine. We spent an hour taking pictures of all the beautiful plants and flowers they have all over the resort. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The staff at the front desk were very nice and helpful.
My only complaint is the restaurant. The service is just ok and the food is subpar although the food during breakfast is much better than their dinners. We went to La Fortuna for lunch one day and had much better food there. It's worth the taxi ride to La Fortuna for a better meal!
“Gorgeous hotel!” Arenal Kioro This hotel was our first stop on our 10-day trip to Costa Rica....it was so nice! Just like most things in Costa Rica, it was quite a drive to the hotel from the San Jose airport, but when we got there, it was well worth it! The views can't be beat...absolutely breathtaking. The service was incredible, everyone from the front desk staff to the bellboys to the restaurant waiter...everyone was sooo friendly!! Our room was very comfortable and spacious and our view from our bed and hot tub was of the volcano. So lovely.
I saw a previous review that mentioned that you can't see lava "flow" from the volcano...we were able to see and hear the volcano erupt during our stay. You don't see lava flow (like in the movies) because the lava is solid. It is red boulders that come down the mountain, but we had no problem seeing it erupt. At night, it sounds like thunder, but its really the volcano erupting. The activities we did (horseback riding and white water rafting in the Sarapiqui river) were incredibly fun and the hotel staff every morning is in the lobby, getting people off to their destinations.
I would definitely recommend this hotel to another traveler.
“Disappointed in service” Arenal Kioro We arrived here after staying in Guanacaste at an all inclusive resort. We were told that this was a 5 star hotel. What we found was beautiful rooms facing a volcano. When we booked the hotel we thought we would actually see the lava at night fall but soon found that as a result of an eruption a few years ago our view was not that of a lava flowing volcano as seen on the website. We could only see smoke.
The manager who registered us was not warm unlike many of the Costa Ricans we had met earlier. He was not helpful especially when we were trying to book excursions.
There is only 1 restuarant and the food is far from exceptional and the choices were limited. The waiters were not attentive.
The hotel boasts their own hot springs but they suggested that we go to the Tabacon Hot Springs which cost extra.
As for getting around off the premises they offered to call us a taxi.
This hotel has location, but lacks what it takes for 5 stars or even 4 stars. It lacks the ammenities and hospitality skills to make it a good hotel.
“You have to go!” Arenal Kioro My husband and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. Since we actually live in Puerto Rico, our goal was to get a peaceful place around the nature. We really support nature.
We landed to Costa Rica and started to drive to Arenal Kioro through an independent transporter. Since we arrived, we knew that the hotel was a 5 star!
Service is excellent. You will receive an individual introduction to the hotel's facilities, together with a welcome drink! Then, you will be personally taken to the room buy one employee, who is going to help you with the room's settings.
Since the Hotel is part of a green project, they have smart system in their rooms. Therefore, you need to know the details about the lights, a/c and the whirlpool. You will also know few hints about the Volcano Arenal.
The room was so perfect that I can't stop thinking about it. We slept with the curtains opened to see the volcano all night long. We were blessed to see that spectacular view of the lava during the night.
The restaurant was great. Price is very fair. Service is excellent. Tours are really well administrated. You can tell that you are in a 5 stars hotel and specially when you spend time with others at the tours.
The Hotel's facilities are awesome. Ultimately clean. Sharp employees. Immaculate gardens, floors and rooms.
They have pool, gym and sports room; all open 24 hours.
We highly recommend this place.
“5* hotel, Costa Rica style...” Arenal Kioro
Don't believe it when you see this far down in Trip Advisor "rankings." Really ratings are somewhat measured vs. user expectations... Someone rated this a 2 because they paid $300 and didn't get their Pina Colada on check-in? Sorry....Mine was delicious.... If you spot a bug in your room and it ruins your trip, Costa Rica is not for you.
The short story here: 1) Gorgeous grounds (check user pics) 2) Great rooms, jacuzzi in every room, incredible view 3) They attempt to go to any length to improve your stay, like a 5* hotel should. The person who came to fix my internet connection struggled a bit and didn't speak much English. To some people that constitutes bad service, but I would consider those complainers the "a/h factor" in hotelspeak. Hence, 5* Costa Rica style..
Bottom Line: If you want a great experience, this hotel is on a VERY short list (stay away from Tabacon Spa unless you want Taca Disney World)
Only negative: They charge more for the adventure trips than if you were to book on internet or contact places directly. It seems a little ridiculous to try to get an extra 10 bucks out of you by marking up the activity fees. Please...
“An ethereal experience” Arenal Kioro We visited the Arenal Kioro Hotel from July 9th through the 12th and found staying here to be an ethereal experience. From our room, the hotel restaurant and pool and billiards areas the volcano has a commanding presence even when it is cloud covered. The position of the facility meant that when Arenal exploded on the 9th we ran to a window and saw lava bursting into the sky (a sight our Hanging Bridges tour guide said occurs only every two years or so). We also viewed the volcano glowing red during a spectacular sunset. The restaurant staff was gracious even accommodating my son’s desire to eat a banana for dinner. The instrumental versions of Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, and even Pink Floyd that played on the sound system further enhanced the beauty of this setting. Reportedly the hotel area used to be a cow pasture. They have added hundreds of plants which attract birds and butterflies. We especially enjoyed a swim in the warm pool during a cool rain shower. Though our travel agent said we had booked the last room at this hotel, most of the time it felt like we had the place to ourselves. It was a wonderful place to stay!
“Not all that it is cracked up to be” Arenal Kioro My friends and I booked this hotel as a respite from our adventures in the Osa Peninsula. When we arrived, we were so happy to find a proper hotel lobby and air-conditioning that we overlooked in the beginning the fact that the hotel, although beautiful and beautifully situated lacked one of the basic necessities of a five-star: service.
We arrived, checked-in and were promised a welcome beverage. It still hasn't arrived.
We asked to be brought to their hot springs, a 10 minute drive from the hotel one hour before the springs closed and they wouldn't accommodate us.
They advised us upon check-in that there would be 24-hour room service. After a long day, we finally found time to eat (10 pm-ish) and when we called for room service was advised that the kitchens were closed. We asked if someone could at least make us a sandwich and were advised that no one was in the kitchen. We asked if the hotel could provide transport into town so that we could get food to bring back to the hotel, they advised that only *one* person was on staff and that they couldn't help us. In the end we had to call a taxi, find out which restaurant was still open and get the food ourselves.
The only good thing about the hotel were the bellhops (very sweet), the rooms (really beautiful), the view (saw the volcano erupt twice) and the spa. Although please do not get a manicure/pedicure or hair treatment because they are not trained and you can do a better job at home. The spa is only good for spa-related treatments.
All in all, this hotel needs to up it's customer service if it really wants to proclaim itself as a "five-star"
“See wildlife from your breakfast table” Arenal Kioro We stayed at this hotel with our Adventures By Disney tour, and we thought it was superb. The websites and brochures bill it as a place to see the Volcan Arenal, and it does have a gorgeous view of the volcano-when the volcano is viewable. (We were fortunate enough for the volcano to "come out" on our last morning) The truth is (according to our local guide) that the volcano is only "out" 20% of the time. So if seeing the volcano at any of the resorts in this area is a small probability, I'd recommend staying at this place for the other reasons we enjoyed it.
The dining room features enormous windows looking out onto the grounds and protected land surrounding the resort. The service was good and unobtrusive, and the food in the restaurant was very good. My kids loved the ceviche (seafood marinated in lime) and the garlic dipping oil. Every morning at breakfast we were able to observe howler monkeys and dozens of birds in the trees around the property. It helped traveling with a local guide who could identify the wildlife we spotted and spotted the wildlife we didn't!
The rooms are enormous; all of them were oriented to have a view of the volcano (which I have to say is pretty even when shrouded in clouds!). The room we had featured vaulted ceilings, a private 4 person indoor hot tub, a roomy sitting area with a minibar and a split bath with a huge rain head shower and separate toilet/sink area. There were 2 large beds (queens?) with views out through sliding glass doors and another twin bed on the other side of a half wall. (This worked out great for us as we were traveling with 2 children and one is an early to bed kid). My husband thought this was a rare property in which the rooms were nicer than the Internet photos!
Free Internet use on a couple of computers (we resisted except to check the Red Sox standings), and handy umbrellas to tote back and forth from the dining room to your room were nice touches.
“The Perfect Hotel” Arenal Kioro
My family just returned from a Costa Rica vacation. There were six of us ... four children ranging from 14, 12, 10, and 8.
Hands down the Arenal Kioro is the best place I have ever seen. I can repeat all the other fantastic comments from the previous posts. My wife and I have done alot of traveling and from an overall perspective ... location, service, food, room, etc ... the best hotel we have stayed at.
Each room is spacious with an excellent view of the volcano. Also each room has a hot tub in the room.
The staff was as accomodating as you can get ... Bryan and Jorge are the best. You are greated in the lobby with a complimentary beverage when you arrive and the hospitality does not end until you leave.
Some of the highlight of our Arenal trip was the canopy tour at the Arenal Paraiso ... AWESOME. We also took the hike up to the volcano ... the scenary was incredible and the rumbling of the volcano was an experience.
We also spent 4 days in Tamarindo ... I will post pictures later and include the rest of our adventure with the Tamarindo Diria Hotel.
“Best Experience Ever” Arenal Kioro
My husband and I stayed at the Kioro last week for 3 days before we headed to the Occidental. We had the most awesome time at the Kioro and were sad to leave. The hotel had the best view of the volcano from the other hotels in the region. The rooms were extremely clean and spacious. The staff was VERY friendly and treated you like you were the only ones staying there. We never had to ask for anything twice. We ate at the restaurant every night and had the best food and service. At the Kioro, you are able to relax and enjoy the view. The pool overlooks the volcano and has a tiki bar that you can order drinks and food. The grounds are immaculate and very well maintained. My husband and I booked a zip line tour. It was the best. We can't wait to go back to CR and stay at the Kioro again. We would definitely recommend this hotel.
“Excellent Hotel and Service” Arenal Kioro Stop looking now, this is the BEST property at Arenal, hands down. It is like new, quiet (unlike Tabacon) and romantic.
We stayed at Arenal Kioro for the first part of our Costa Rica vacation. (We were at the Four Seasons Papagayo for the second half).
This all-suite hotel is wonderful! The rooms are big (like an apartment) and there is a Jacuzzi in each room (suite) overlooking the volcano.
The rooms also have views from both sides - of the volcano and the hills behind the hotel.
The service is excellent and the breakfast buffet (included) had many great options from cereal, eggs, fruit and local delicacies.
The spa at Kioro is also very good, with reasonable pricing.
We visited the Arenal National Park and hiked to the lava rocks that remain from an eruption in 1992. Not a hard hike and well worth the 30 minutes each way. The park entrance fee is $6/pp.
We also visited the hot springs at Tabacon. Visit in the evening as the day is hot. Do you really want to be in hot springs on a hot day? The price is high at $55/pp but after 7pm the price drops to $40/pp. It is worth adding dinner for $20 more.
We also took the Pure Trek Canyoning tour where we rappelled down waterfalls. Very fun!
We booked a reservation at the Sky Tram (Arenal National Park area) and zip-lined all the way down. 8 zip lines in all - 3 mini and 5 long ones! This is a good option as many of the Canopy tours require you to stop yourself (with your glove). This operation catches you as you arrive at each platform. The cost is $60/pp, which includes the Sky Tram ride up the mountain. Reservations required.
If you have more time, make sure to head to Monteverde and the Cloud Forest. We ran out of time and will definitely be back to do the rest.
We paid $270 a night at Hotel Kioro and I would rate it 4 - 5 stars. This is an excellent property at reasonable prices. Included: Breakfast and Internet access (in the lobby). The laundry prices are cheap so we took advantage of the service.
Regarding viewing the volcano: we visited during rainy season so no lava rocks were visible at night, but we did see the cone for one entire day, when the clouds disappeared. Spectacular!
We rented a car, which was great, but the roads are not always paved and it takes a very long time to get around. For instance, we drove from Arenal to the Pacific coast (Four Seasons) and it took 4.5 hours (including a quick stop for lunch).
I recommend flying into Liberia AIrport as it is much easier to access Arenal and the Pacific coast. There is a great grocery store in Liberia called Jumbo located 5 minutes from the airport at hwy 21 and hwy 1. We stocked up and were set for the trip. (Kioro and Four Seasons have mini fridges in the room).
Hotel Arenal Kioro is a great haven in the BEST location (base of the volcano). A quality property and top notch staff; excellent in all ways.
Enjoy!
“Beautiful Paradise” Arenal Kioro My friend and I just returned from the Arenal Kioro. I was going to write a long praising review; however, another traveller has summed things up very accurately (see May 12, 2007 review). Our entire experience was wonderful. The hotel is extremely clean and the grounds are amazing. The hotel website photos are not photo-shopped - they are exactly what it looks like. I would go back there in a heartbeat for tranquility and relaxation. The staff was very friendly indeed. I recommend it above the Tabacon Hotel and suggest that people stay at the Arenal Kioro and go for day trips to the Tabacon Spa. We also went to the Areanl Kioro hotel spa which was very lovely, new and clean. We had hand-delivered drinks in the hot springs, and it was only a 5 minute hotel shuttle drive away. Great place and I'm a picky traveller. Also, all the tours we got through the hotel were excellent and safe.
“Amazing Resort and Most Friendly Staff...” Arenal Kioro My wife and I ventured up to Arenal from the Grand Papagayo for our second part of our Costa Rican vacation. We transferred using Interbus... leaving the coast around 730 AM and arriving at the Kioro around 1030 AM. We stayed at the Kioro from April 22 to 26, 2007
Upon arrival... our bags were taken care... taken to our suite by the staff. Check-in was very simple. We were offered a beverage... given the details of the property... and were able to sign up for any additional tours that we wanted. Afterwards... we were shown to our room... and given a brief introduction where things were and how they worked. It was greatly appreciated that we were able to get into our room so early!
The suite was amazing... to say the least! There is a separate sitting area with a desk. In the main part of the suite... there were two queen beds... a couple chairs with a small table... the mini-bar... a television... and off to the side a hot tub. The shower is separate from the rest of the bathroom (with the shower head hanging from the ceiling). The details of the room were very nice. Then there was the view... WOW! The front of the suite is just about all glass with a sliding door and small balcony (or patio for 1st floor). This resort is very close to the volcano. I couldn't believe it was right there in front of me... crystal clear with no clouds at all! I am sure this is quite rare since clouds are a common-place. Some people go their whole trip without seeing the cone of the volcano. We felt extremely lucky.
The pool was small... but nice. There is also a more shallow pool for kids. A bar is very nearby where we could order food... drinks... and get towels. Plenty of lounge chairs with small tables in between. The only thing I would add... would be a few umbrellas to help shade the sun. Then the guests would be able to decide where to lay out. One last thing... the pool was slightly warm... but with the sun at these lower latitudes... it was expected. They tried to cool it off every day with some new water being added from a hose.
There is a game and workout building nearby. The gym looks nice. There are also billiard tables and ping-pong tables for use. We played a game of ping-pong once... but didn't use these facilities otherwise.
My wife took advantage of the spa. She had a coffee scrub and coffee wrap (Taste of Costa Rica package). It was reasonably priced... $125 for both... and lasted 90 minutes. Very relaxing and worth it.
The food at the restaurant was decent. At lunch... we had a chicken sandwich and a cheeseburger. For dinner... sea bass with leeks (too much cream sauce... but good)... and pork with jalapeno sauce (also good). The breakfast buffet was very good. Took us a day to realize that there was more food toward the back of the restaurant... but it was all done well. Lots of fruit... cereals... sausage... potatoes... pastries... and even eggs/omelets made to order. Coffee and other juices as well. They even had rice and beans... which I had every day with Lizano salsa! Mmmm... good. We even bought some Lizano to take home with us. We also ate at Linda Vista and Tabacon (while at the hot springs).
The grounds were just beautiful. Lots of flowers with walking paths throughout.
We did plenty of tours while at Arenal. Some we organized on our own and others through the hotel. First... we went to do the Sky Tram/Sky Trek... which was very cool. It was about $120 for two people. We took the tram to the top of the mountain... and then went on the zip lines (8 in total) to get back to the bottom. Very professional guides... and friendly. They even took our camera on video mode so we could show all of our friends and family what we experienced. I would highly recommend them.
Next we did a combo hike through Arenal National Park and Tabacon Hot Springs. We enjoyed the hike a lot... saw the volcano... jungle untouched by a previous eruption... and a lava field from the past. Saw lots of wildlife... including a toucan! Very pretty. The guide was very informative... and friendly. Our time at Tabacon was fun as well. The hot springs weren't too packed... and the grounds were just sooooo pretty. We also went down the slide into the pool and got a bunch of funny picture of my wife and I. There are changing room... and you can get a towel and locker for a small deposit... which is refundable if everything is returned. The buffet dinner came with our entrance to the hot springs... and it was good as well.
Next day we did the PureTrek Canyoning. We started off at their home base and had a good lunch (rice... beans... and salad). Then it was off to the canyon. It is about a 20 minute drive with parts on a bumpy road. Once there... we got our gear and hiked to the first waterfall. Definitely an adrenaline rush. There are 5 rappels total... 4 with waterfalls one just a steep wall. At the end... there is about a 15 minute hike out of the canyon. The guides were great... and definitely paid attention to the details. We felt safe the whole time.
One morning we went to the hanging bridges with a guide... who knew a lot of good information and had a great eye for picking out wildlife and plants. The supsension bridges were neat as well. The entire loop is about 2 miles... and took us close to 2 hours. We saw a bunch of birds... a poison dart frog... leaf cutter ants... cicadas... and other wildlife. Go early when the wildlife is more likely to be out... and hire a guide who will give you a bunch of info.
We also went to view the lava from one of the more popular lookouts. Our driver and an employee from the hotel came along with us. We saw some boulders rolling down the side of the volcano... and gave us quite a show. It isn't continuous lava... but every so often the volcano will rumble with some boulders shortly after. A very cool sight to say the least. It was definitely a highlight. Also... I would like to say this is where we experienced the friendliness of the people again. A woman came up to us and asked if we spoke English. Their car battery had died. This lookout is about 5 to 7 kilometers from the main road on a gravel road. Our driver and the employee from the hotel helped get their car started (it is a manual and we were able to push it until it got started).
Overall... I would highly recommend the Kioro to anyone. Very nice hotel with a staff that was extremely helpful and friendly! We would definitely stay here again when we come back to Arenal... even if the lava is flowing a different way. Our experience at this hotel made our vacation to Arenal even more special.
“Stunning!” Arenal Kioro
Beyond words what the view from this hotel is like....brochure and web-site are not photo-shopped...Arenal really is that close. I've posted pics before that a friend took while they were still building, but this was my first visit, i was impressed at the attention to detail.
Suites and restaurant were amazing...loved the service....especially Sandra at the front desk....what a sweety.
It was an amazing experience
“Great service, but they have ruined the hilltop” Arenal Kioro I hadn't been to Arenal for two or three years, and last time I was there the Mirador restaurant was on the site that Arenal Kioro now occupies. It was a magical place, especially as the lava flowed in that direction at the time (flow changed two months ago towards Arenal Observatory Lodge and Linda Vista).
I really hate to give this hotel a negative review, because every single person who works at the Kioro is absolutely fantastic, from the gardners to the front desk crew.
However, the architecture for this hotel is terrible, and they've built this monstrosity of a resort on the ridgeline. It looks like a poorly planned California suburb. The rooms are large and well-outfitted, with large windows facing the volcano, but if you get a room that is behind any of the other buildings on the resort, and most are, you will find that the night view of the volcano is obscured badly by light pollution from the floodlights. This is a particular problem because the most you're going to get view-wise now that the flow is on the other side is a glow -- barely seen through the floodlights. They've overmanicured the grounds (they are beautiful but they failed to leave any trails through the jungle so it is now virtually impossible to walk back to see the toucans, etc.). The bar is at the pool (again, great service), so there isn't really a night time lounge to hang out in. The main building and restaurant feel very institutional.
By the way, for some reason they heat the pool to over 80 degrees. It is very, very uncomfortably hot.
So, if you're a service freak, stay here. Service is much better than at Tabacon. Interior rooms are also nicer/bigger.
As nice as the staff are here, I wouldn't spend $300 night again to support what they've done to the ridgeline. You'll get a much more intimate experience with the jungle/wildlife in the area at another hotel.
“Perfect Hotel in the Arenal area” Arenal Kioro This hotel was simply perfect. Clean, huge rooms with a priceless view to the volcano. We were able to watch the volcano while having a glass of wine in the jacuzzi. The landscaping work is amazing. Friendly and helpful staff. A+++++
The only thing I can think would make this resort better would be having their own hot springs... and the rumor according to the people I was talking to is that they are in the process...
“Fabulous room, view and service, but skip the restaurant and spa” Arenal Kioro The view from the room is stunning. (The sky was clear, but lava rocks were flowing down the other side of the volcano while we were there, so for the most part we could not see the eruptions from our room.) Rooms are new, spacious, nicely decorated and clean. The staff is friendly and helpful, and was very kind to our kids. The grounds are beautiful, too, with lots of tropical flowers and plants. We saw a huge variety of birds from our balcony, including toucans. Shortcomings are the restaurant (the breakfast that was included was buffet style and fine; dinner was disappointing) and the spa. I had just about the worst pedicure/manicure I've ever experienced. Nonetheless, the Kioro is a great choice (and close to the Tabacon hot springs, which are a must-do. Gorgeous.)
“Beautiful hotel!” Arenal Kioro The Arenal Kioro isa lovely hotel at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. The property is beautifully maintained and the staff was friendly and accomodating. Our room was clean and spacious with a great view of the volcano, which unfortunately for us was under cloud cover for our entire stay (we could hear it rumbling though!). The food was great for breakfast but only fair for dinner. We especially enjoyed the ziplining, horseback riding to the waterfall, and the Tabacon hot springs swim/dinner outing. We had a very rainy stay in Arenal but the uniqueness of the area and the friendliness of the people made up for the lack of clear skies!
“An amazing experience!” Arenal Kioro Our family of seven (grandparents, us and grandchildren) stayed at the Kioro for 3 days in February and what an experience! The hotel is lovely, the rooms are fabulous, the staff is courteous and helpful and the volcano -- an incredible site! There is nothing like awakening at 2 AM and looking out from your bed to see a clear sky studded with stars as a background against which the volcano spews endless supplies of molten red rocks. Wow! Breakfast buffet was just fine, with local specialties along with traditional omelettes. Delicious fresh fruit. Other meals were less than stellar but this hotel is new and is figuring things out. There is a small but adequate gym facility and nice pool area. Has internet access in the lobby. Visit the cows by the fence. Don't miss La Fortuna, Cano Negro and zipping through the rain forest canopy! Pura Vida!
“Really Pleased” Arenal Kioro We went their for our honeymoon in November and it was exactly what we needed. The room was very spacious and delightful. The hospitality was impeccable and the concierge was helpful in booking a FABULOUS white water rafting tour. They also were really great about changing out our money. Since they are a newer hotel, there are still some elements to be worked out. I wish they had a shuttle to town and that their food was better. But, we were really pleased overall and would definitely consider staying here again.
“Words can't describe how beautiful this hotel is!” Arenal Kioro My husband and I stayed here for our honeymoon in Costa Rica. We stayed for three nights but didn't want to leave. It was heaven! The grounds are well landscaped and beautiful. We were able to see the volcano very well-we got lucky. Well worth the price.
The room: All the rooms are very large. Every room has a volcano view and a mountain view. There is safe, comfortable King bed, t.v., mini bar, hot tub, walk in shower with rain head shower, air conditioning, plush robes and towels, nice sized bathroom with granite and a nice sitting area to view the volcano. The windows are floor-to-ceiling in height so the room offers a wonderful unobstructed view of the volcano and grounds. We stayed on the top level of a two level building.
Housekeeping: Is quick, efficient and friendly.
Staff: Very friendly and helpful. Eager to please. And everyone speaks english except for the spa staff, one of the security guards and a few housekeepers.
Security: Very friendly and no one is getting on the property that does not have a room there. They are very good about it.
Restaurant: The buffet breakfast is excellent. The rest of the menu is mediocre. I recommend going into La Fortuna for your lunch and dinner at The Lava Lounge and the Volcano Lodge restaurant at the Hotel Volcano Lodge.
Spa: My husband and I were disappointed with our treatments. Husband had a deep tissue massage which he enjoyed but did not like the mens facial and the coffee scrub was painful. I decided to get the Volcano Mud kiss package with the volcanic mud massage but it felt more like a scrub. It was gritty and was not relaxing as I had hoped. The mud wrap was just a short cut because when they massaged me with the mud they did not wipe it off but just kept it on and then wrapped sheets of celophane to my body and then left me lay for 60 minutes in the room just laying on the massage table. Not worth the extra $100! I was very bored for that long time frame. Then I received a facial which was probably the worst facial I've ever received. So my advice is if you want to enjoy the spa-just get a simple swedish massage but skip the other treatments as they are not up to par with the treatments you can at a resort in the U.S.
Tip: Mini bar is overpriced (Candy bars are $3). Go into the town of La Fortuna to one of their grocery stores and you can get the same items for way less. You also have to request your mini bar to be unlocked for you as they keep it locked otherwise.
Tip: Check out the hot springs at the Tabacon resort at night. Price is cheaper and less crowds. Very romantic!!
Isidro Con Wong's artwork is all over the hotel. He is a Costa Rican painter. Love his artwork!!
Complaint: The only thing I did not enjoy was that during check-in they sit you down and try to sell you one of their tour packages. After a long drive from Tamarindo, we just wanted to get into our room quickly. And the spa treatments weren't great. Other than that, everything was perfect!!
This has been my favorite hotel I've ever stayed at and I've stayed at several nice places. I will stay at this resort again when I return to Costa Rica. Its beautiful and romantic. Perfect for our honeymoon.
“Absolute Heaven” Arenal Kioro The Arenal Kioro rivals some of the best hotels in the States. The service was impeccable.
When we arrived, we had to check in with security. As we approached reception, someone was already waiting to take our bags and help us park. When we walked into the reception area, we were greeted by name and offered complimentary welcome drinks. The check in went very smooth.
The room was beautiful...just like the pictures. The bathroom was large and the shower was too. We had a phone and TV (which we tried not to use...we were on vacation!). The room slept 5 and the beds faced a huge window wall that opened up to the volcano. There were screen doors to close so you could keep it open all night and listen to the volcano rumble.
The grounds were beautiful. The pool was nice, though we didn't use it, it rained the whole time we were there.
We didn't see the volcano because of clouds, but we could hear it rumble and explode almost constantly. At night, when the clouds would thin out, we got glimpses of lava flows and the crater. Based on what we saw through clouds, it must be breathtaking to see it with none!
I wouldn't change a single thing about our stay at this hotel (except maybe the rain). The hot tub was clean and nice, the place was spotless. The beds were really comfortable. This was the highlight of our trip.
The "included" breakfast offered a buffet style with delicious food. There was always fresh fruit, cereal and oatmeal, and an omlet station where a chef cooked eggs to order. There were several choices of foods including Costa Rican traditional breakfast items, pancakes, pastries, sausage, hashbrowns and even a table of traditional European breakfast fare (sandwich makings). The orange juice was unbelievable and was fresh squeezed each morning! The staff was friendly and attentive.
This place ran like a well oiled machine. If you can afford to splurge and stay here, do it! Its the closest hotel to the Volcano and is just fabulous. It's worth the splurge.
One "downfall" - they do not have their own hotsprings. The website is ambiguous on this. When I asked, we were offered reservations and transportation to two different hot springs in the area at a cost. One of them was the Tabacon. We opted to just go here on our own because we had a car. This would not deter me from staying at the Kioro again though.
La Fortuna is about a 10 minute drive away - they have wonderful affordable restaurants. Try La Choza de Laurel...have the Chicken Casada! Yum!
“Beautiful” Arenal Kioro this hotel is absolutely beautiful. definitely the nicest hotel room i have ever had. 15 foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows with balcony and all rooms have a tremendous view of the erupting side of the volcano. all rooms have hot tubs too...bathroom and separate shower are were very, very nice too. the rooms aren't exactly desgined for families though as there are really no private areas. hotel is only a year old too. grounds and landscaping are beautiful as well. the restaurant has expansive views of the volcano as well, and the food is good. included breakfast is very good. we were lucky enough to actually see the volcano on the first night, and it was something we will never forget. we ate two nights at a place just 200 meters from the hotel entrance called "el novillo" which actually had no sign that i could see. good food, especially steaks and chicken, and reasonable prices. we also did ziplining at the arenal rainforest reserve and aerial tram. booked it through the hotel. the staff there was very knowledgeable about the wildlife, and it was very well run, clean, and safe. i would recommend you take a short ride from the ziplining place to the snake and butterly museum/display and take the guided tour. it is a small place, but the guides spend an hour with you and you learn a lot. it was surpisingly good. tabacon hot springs resort was also beautiful if a little pricey ($45) for the day. stunning gardens and great hot springs. get the combo package for $60 (3 course lunch) as the snack bar charges $13 just for a burger. the only down-side: if there is ever a full-scale eruption, you are toast (well, actually, you will most likely be vaporized). I would recommend this place to anyone without regret.
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