The Springs Resort & Spa

The Springs Resort & Spa, on a ridge facing Arenal Volcano

The Springs sits high on a ridge north of Arenal Volcano, with the valley below and the volcano straight ahead. It is one of our team's favourites at Arenal, and the one we reach for first with families and multigenerational groups, because there is enough on the property to keep grandparents, parents and children busy for days without a long drive.

Why we choose it

• The view from the ridge. The resort looks down over the Arenal valley to the volcano, and the hotel states that every room has a terrace or balcony facing it.
• Hot springs a short walk from your room. Of the 12 pools, 8 are fed by hot mineral springs, and Las Lagunas has a swim-up bar.
• Space for three generations. Two and three bedroom suites and villas, plus a water slide, a putt-putt course and a kids' game lounge, make it easy to bring the whole family.

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Rooms and views

The Vista rooms are the heart of it. The Vista Guest Room puts the volcano in view from the king bed, the Alta Vista adds more of the valley, and the Vista Grande rooms are larger, with a king plus a twin and a pull-out, or two queens. The Honeymoon Vista rooms come with a private jacuzzi fed by the hot springs.

Families have real choice here. The Family Suite is on two levels with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and the Springs, Aracari and Oropendola suites have two or three bedrooms. For more privacy there are the Palm Bungalow and the Guayaba, Calatea and Escondida villas, and for a big group, Falcon's Nest and Villa Palacio, a compound with its own pool.

On the property

The Sanctuary Spa covers 14,000 square feet. Dinner can be Las Ventanas for a proper evening or the Tree Tops Grill for something easier. Down on the river, the Club Rio Adventure Center runs tubing, kayaking and horseback riding, and has an animal sanctuary the kids will ask to visit twice.

Location and getting there

The hotel says it is 9 km west and 3.5 km north of La Fortuna centre, so you are out of town and up in the quiet, but close to the restaurants and tours. Some rooms have elevator access and some do not, so tell us if stairs are a problem and we will choose the right one. It is about 3 hours by road from Liberia or San José, and the whole Arenal Volcano area is within reach with your driver.

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