Hotel LA MANSION INN ARENAL
Seventeen lake-view villas on 25 acres above Lake Arenal, on Route 142 between Nuevo Arenal and La Fortuna
About this stay
The infinity pool is the draw here, cut into the hillside so the water line appears to merge with Lake Arenal below. Each villa is decorated individually rather than to a uniform hotel template, giving the property a boutique feel despite its larger footprint, and a four-minute walk covers the distance to Toucan Lane's restaurant, bar and lounge strip for evenings out. Rooms carry air conditioning as standard, room service is available for guests who would rather stay poolside, and pet-friendly policies extend to most categories. Accessible rooms and full-service laundry round out a property built for longer, more settled stays rather than a one-night stopover. The three-hour-plus taxi run from San Jose airport is offset by an airport shuttle arranged through the hotel.
- 17 villas and cottages on 25 acres above Lake Arenal
- Private terrace with lake view in every unit
- Units from one to three bedrooms
- Royal Cottage with private heated pool and indoor jacuzzi
- BISTRO Gourmet Restaurant on site
- 9.4 guest score from 601 reviews
Our take
La Mansion Inn Arenal spreads 17 villas and cottages over 25 acres along Route 142, the road that circles Lake Arenal between Nuevo Arenal and La Fortuna, and every one has a private terrace looking over the lake. Units run from one to three bedrooms, from a Honeymoon Suite to the Queen Cottage for families, and the Royal Cottage adds its own heated pool and an indoor jacuzzi. The BISTRO Gourmet Restaurant is on site, and the lake sunsets are the evening show. I would book it for couples and families with a car who want space and calm on the lake; skip it if you want to walk to La Fortuna's restaurants and hot springs. Guests rate it 9.4 across 601 reviews.
- ✓Book the Royal Cottage for a special trip: it is the only unit listed with a private heated pool and an indoor jacuzzi.
- ✓Families should ask for the Queen Cottage, the two-bedroom family suite, rather than two separate villas.
- ✓Be on your terrace before sunset: every villa looks over Lake Arenal, and the sun goes down over the water.
Why we love it
- Infinity pool over Lake Arenal
- Individually decorated villas
- Four minutes to Toucan Lane's bars
- Pet-friendly rooms available
Why guests love itLa Mansion Inn Arenal gives families more room than most Arenal hotels: the Queen Cottage is a two-bedroom family suite, units run up to three bedrooms, and each has a private terrace over Lake Arenal. Rooms are air-conditioned, there is a pool and the BISTRO Gourmet Restaurant serves salads, pastas, crepes and Mexican-style dishes that most children will eat. The 25-acre grounds are quiet, but they sit on Route 142 between Nuevo Arenal and La Fortuna, so the volcano, the hot springs, the La Fortuna waterfall and the hanging bridges all mean a drive. With a car, it makes a calm base for several nights. Guests rate it 9.4 from 601 reviews.