This hotel was great in every way. We stayed during the rainy season (October). The hotel was very affordable ($40/night), quiet, very comfortable and restful. Breakfast was included, and it was delicious - gallo pinto, huevos revueltos, lots of fresh fruit, freshly-made fruit juice, coffee, toast. There's a nice pool and a creek that meanders along the back of the property which has beautifully kept lawns and gardens and lots of fruit trees and flowers. My boyfriend and I both agreed that one of the best parts of our trip to Lavas de Arenal was Mario, the owners' son-in-law who runs the hotel. He made breakfast for us every morning, was very nice and helpful and extremely welcoming. He helped us to book a hotel in Manuel Antonio for later on in the trip and arranged a tour/zip line for us. As this was our first stop on our trip, it really set a good tone for the rest of the trip.

Keep in mind that the hotel is ~5km outside of town. This was a plus for us since we rented a car. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet away from the busy and touristy La Fortuna.

We were greeted by Mario a very helpful person who immediately was able to answer all our questions. Gave us a tour of the hotel and the amenities and prepared a wonder meal for us. We ate in a lovely patio outdoors where we enjoyed watching beautiful birds and a nice breeze envelope us in this little piece of tranquility and nature. We asked for suggestions and were given the rapids of Sarapiqui and the Baldi Hot Springs both of which we enjoyed to the fullest! We enjoyed the time there, the pool was clean, clean sheets, room was nice and roomy, it was clean, we could see Mario takes great care of the property and wanted to accommodate us well. I would return to it just for the beauty, hospitality and cleanliness. It was affordable and peaceful. We also made great conversation with a lovely worker, Ever.

Enjoyed a perfect stay in this Gem of a place. Mario and his family attended to our needs each and every time we needed it. They were very helpful that we felt we were around family. The rooms were extremely clean and comfortable, that it made our vacation more pleasant and enjoyable. They serve an excellent breakfast surrounded by luscious flowers and various fruit trees. One feels like we are eating in a jungle paradise. On our next trip to the Arenal, we are once again staying in The Lavas del Arenal. I highly recommend this hotel to all visitors of the Arenal.

Lavas del Arenal is a real treat. It's 10-15 minutes outside of La Fortuna, the largest town closest to the Arenal volcano, known for its "hanging bridges," among other things. The hotel would be a tad difficult to find without a GPS, but the place is splendid. As I can see from previous reviews, Mario (and family) really know how to make travelers feel at home. Drive onto the property, and you're in a little sanctuary. A beautiful lawn & garden complete with two separate grill areas and a pool. Mario will help you make reservations at discount prices for whatever local attractions you'd like to see, and serve up a delicious breakfast to boot. His father-in-law is a very friendly person, and provided you speak a little Spanish, will surely introduce you to Tico culture. The A/C is a bit underpowered, but if that doesn't faze you, I highly recommend Lavas del Arenal. It was a very homey experience - but at the same time, the service was very professional. The rooms were very clean and you can tell that the entire property is well-maintained. 4.5 out of 5 stars in my book.