Aranwa Sarapiquí Rainforest Lodge

We have another night here, and reception hasn't been helpful when we've asked for help. The shower head is clogged with mineral buildup, so it sends out a hard, straight jet that's uncomfortable against your body. Staff came to our unit after I reported it and said that was “normal.” I told them it clearly wasn't, but they kept insisting. If this is normal, then the water flow throughout the place is messed up. It seems like an easy thing to fix. We also arranged boxed breakfasts for an early departure, one booking through our guide and one from us. The hotel says it can prepare them before the restaurant opens, but when we went this morning, nothing had been made.

The pool was such a peaceful spot, and our room was clean and comfortable. We did have a little trouble figuring out the shower controls in room 21. The grounds and setting are gorgeous, with toucans, a sloth, iguanas and lots of other birds around. Breakfast was excellent, and we enjoyed both dinners. The staff really made the lodge feel special, always attentive, helpful, polite and charming.

The restaurant was the biggest letdown. Unless you're driving or taking a taxi to one of the many nearby places, you have to eat there. The food ranged from poor to just fair, and the G&T and Mojito were unbelievably bad. I could barely tell whether there was any alcohol in them. The location is pleasant, with birds, monkeys and other animals around. But our “superior” room needs updating: the mattress wasn't good, the bathroom was tiny and the sink smaller still. There are no windows, and opening the French doors for air means facing the walkway everyone uses to get to and from their rooms. Groundskeeping machines can also get pretty loud. There are other lodging options around, so I'd choose one of those.

The lodge has a distinctive rainforest design, with rooms arranged in round structures and screened, louvered doors that let you watch the wildlife. We saw sloths, hundreds of birds and plenty of monkeys. The architecture draws on indigenous people's traditions. Belgian investors found native people's graves, then brought in anthropologists and archaeologists to work with the area, honor those people and preserve it for future generations.