Volcano Lodge & Springs

Most of the rooms at this sprawling midsize resort offer unobstructed views of the Arenal Volcano from a private patio with locally crafted leather rocking chairs. Masonry half-walls of smooth river stones give the lodge a rustic feel, but inside you’ll find flatscreen TVs and quiet air-conditioning units. Volcano Lodge has steadily grown over the years, and now features two pool areas and two separate restaurants, as well as its own little hot-springs complex, hiking trails, and children’s playground. The gardens here are handsomely landscaped, and the service is very attentive, despite the fact that the lodge often caters to large tour groups.