Arenal · ★★★★
La Mansion Inn
A nature lover’s dream
Couples & honeymoonsMultigenerational groups
- Rooms
- 17
- Liberia airport (LIR)
- About 3 hours
- San José airport (SJO)
- About 3 hours
Why we book it
La Mansion Inn has 17 villas and cottages on the north shore of Lake Arenal, about 35 km from La Fortuna, so it is a lake stay rather than a base in town. Every room type lists garden and lake views, and the three-bedroom Royal Cottage sleeps seven and has its own heated pool.
Our Costa Rica Specialists
Perfect for
- Couples & honeymoons
- Multigenerational groups
Good to know
- It is about 35 km from La Fortuna; the hotel gives roughly 40 minutes by car.
- Le Bistro is open 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; dinner after 6 needs a reservation.
La Mansion Inn, on the north shore of Lake Arenal
La Mansion Inn is a small boutique inn on the north shore of Lake Arenal, about 35 km from La Fortuna. The cottages sit in tropical gardens above the water, with local art on the walls and a terrace for watching the birds and the sunset. It is a lake stay, quiet and romantic, and it suits honeymooners and multigenerational families who want a place of their own.
Why we choose it
- A lake view from every room. Every room type looks over the gardens to Lake Arenal, and the sunsets here are the reason people remember it.
- Big cottages for families. The Royal Cottage has three bedrooms, sleeps seven and has its own heated pool.
- A lake stay, not a town base. Being out on the north shore keeps it calm and private, a nice change after busy days around the volcano.
Rooms and views
Every room is a villa or cottage with a terrace, a private garden and a view of the lake. Deluxe Villas come with one or two bedrooms, and the Arenal Junior Suite Villas and Queen Cottage Villas have two. The Honeymoon Suite Villa is the romantic choice, with a fireplace, a king bed, a full kitchen and a dining room, so a longer stay feels like home. For a big family, the Royal Cottage with its own heated pool is the one to ask for.
On the property
The infinity pool overlooks the lake and is filled with natural spring water, with a jacuzzi nearby. The inn has its own stable and canoes, so a ride or a paddle on the lake can start at the door.
Le Bistro serves Tropical and European cooking and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; dinner after 6 needs a reservation, which we can make for you when we book the stay.
Location and getting there
La Fortuna is about 35 km away, roughly 40 minutes by car as the hotel gives it, so the volcano and the hot springs are a day out rather than a short hop. Windsurfing, fishing and boating on the lake are close, and Monteverde works as a day trip. It is about 3 hours from Liberia or San José. Read more about Lake Arenal.
Rooms & suites
Our favourite rooms, and why
Deluxe Villas 2 Bedrooms
Arenal Junior Suite Villas 2 Bedroom
Honeymoon Suite Villa
Queen Cottage Villa 2 Bedrooms
Royal Cottage 3 Bedrooms
How it compares
Hotels we book in Arenal
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| La Mansion Inn | Lost Iguana Resort | Hotel Arenal Lodge | Arenal Observatory Lodge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Volcano setting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Boutique | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Private jacuzzi in room | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Spa | Not listed | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Team favourite | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel | See hotel |
On the property
What you will find there
Getting there
Where it is
- Liberia airport (LIR): about 3 hours by private transfer
- San José airport (SJO): about 3 hours by private transfer
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
Questions we get
La Mansion Inn, answered
Real answers from our team.
How far is La Mansion Inn from La Fortuna?
About 35 km (20 miles), roughly a 40-minute drive, on the north side of Lake Arenal.
Does the hotel have lake access?
Yes. It has direct access to Lake Arenal, and horseback riding, boat trips and fishing can be arranged.
Also in Arenal
If this hotel is full, we would look at
Your Costa Rica, starting in Arenal
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Specialist who lives here checks this hotel and builds the rest around it.
Facts checked by our team: 1 November 2026
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