Chateau Arenal Hotel & Restaurant
Smoke-free hotel with a spa and zipline access nearby
About this stay
The spa here is a named amenity rather than a marketing flourish, sitting alongside an outdoor pool and hot tub in a smoke-free property that draws a clear line for guests sensitive to that. A nine-minute taxi ride reaches Avventure nel Cielo's zipline and canopy operation for travelers wanting an adrenaline half-day without a long drive, while La Ventanita is a flat four-minute walk for something more low-key. Air conditioning is standard across rooms, and the airport shuttle covers the three-hour-plus run from San Jose without requiring guests to arrange their own transport. Full-service laundry and accessible rooms round out a property built for a comfortable multi-night stay rather than a rustic jungle retreat.
- Spa
- Hot tub
- Smoke-free
- Near zipline tours
Our take
I would book Chateau Arenal for families and couples who want a straightforward, smoke-free hotel with a pool, hot tub and spa, within easy taxi reach of the area's zipline and canopy tours. It does not lean into rustic or eco-lodge territory the way some neighbors do, so travelers chasing that specific experience should look elsewhere on this list. La Ventanita is a four-minute walk away, a genuine convenience for a quiet dinner without arranging transport. The 9.2 rating from 155 reviews is a good sign.
- ✓Book the nine-minute taxi to Avventure nel Cielo ahead of time for zipline slots in high season.
- ✓Walk to La Ventanita for a low-key dinner, it is a flat four minutes from the hotel.
- ✓Confirm smoke-free applies to outdoor areas too if that matters to your stay, policies vary by section.
Why we love it
- On-site spa and hot tub
- Smoke-free property
- Nine minutes to zipline canopy tours
- Airport shuttle included
Why guests love itChateau Arenal Hotel & Restaurant works well for families who want a simple, comfortable base. The outdoor pool and hot tub give everyone somewhere to cool off, there is a spa for the adults, and free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking keep the day simple. The property is smoke-free. A zipline canopy is about nine minutes away by taxi. Rated 9.2 from 155 reviews, I would recommend it for a relaxed family stay in Nuevo Arenal.