Nepenthe B&B

The views and pool helped make up for rooms that really need updating, from the bathroom and kitchenette to the doors. Getting there is tricky if you don’t like steep inclines, and the drive felt a bit treacherous. We stayed a few days on a girls’ trip and loved the staff. We also had dinner with the owner, Gordon, several times. Phoenix Restaurant on site was great, with everything made fresh. The places we needed to reach were about 15-30 minutes away by car, which wasn’t bad.

We enjoyed our stay, and the staff did what they could given the recent weather. The restaurant stayed open through the power problems and gave amazing service every time we went. Breakfast included with our booking was delicious, and the room was nice with a good view. The shower could use a new head, and there are a few other small fixes needed. Rain kept us from using the pool, though it looked lovely and had an amazing lake view from the top of the property. The property is about 30 minutes from town, so a car would make it much easier to reach la fortuna and get to activities. A 4x4 would be best. When we arrived after a long drive, there was no power, reportedly because a tree had fallen, though we were told that wasn’t normal. Power came back the next morning, then went out again that night and the following day. With the property so far from town, this made charging phones and other devices for navigation and booking excursions difficult. The office didn’t communicate about the outages after check-in. Still, it’s a good option if you want to be near the lake and have access to la fortuna.

The people here are great and help with everything, and I loved the restaurant as well as the stunning view. This deserves more than a two-star hotel rating. The road up is steep and rocky, so be prepared. With a proper car, it can actually be fun. I enjoyed it. They also offer rides to and from activity locations.

Our room was spacious and lovely, with a comfortable bed. It was simple, which suited us. Ask at check-in if you need more than two bath towels and one hand towel. When it rained at night, we left the screen open so we could hear it better. There’s no gym, but if you’re fit, walking the steps and the big hill is good exercise. The drive is rough and can make you worry, but it’s worth it for the views and the stay. Keep going and you can make it to the top. We had a Hyundai rental and made it without trouble. At the top, park, take in the view, then check in at the office. The staff are friendly and will let you know the pool hours and about the restaurant on the property. The pool is lovely, with a view of Lake Arenal and the volcano to the right. The volcano is clear when it isn’t cloudy. Dinner at the property restaurant took a long time, but we weren’t in a hurry. Relax and enjoy it. Upstairs has the view, and the resident cat may come by. Howlers has a cat? In any case, staying here had a lovely pura vida feel.