Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Good food quality
Beautiful surroundings
Cons:
Remote location
Cleanliness concerns
High prices

Categories

Cleanliness
7.65
Some reviews indicated issues with room cleanliness and maintenance.
Service
9.15
Guests praised the staff for their friendliness and excellent service.
Location
8.15
The location is beautiful but can be remote and hard to access.
Room Quality
8.15
Rooms were described as minimalist and could have better sound insulation.
Amenities
8.65
Wellbeing facilities such as spa services were highlighted positively.
Value for Money
7.65
Some guests felt the prices were too high for the quality received.
Food and Beverage
9.15
The food was well-received, especially the fresh, locally sourced meals.
Overall Experience
8.65
The overall experience was very positive with some caveats regarding location and cleanliness.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-11 09:57

Property Description

Surrounded by Nature
Experience the tranquility at Essence Arenal, an ecological hotel nestled in the Tropical Forest with stunning views of Lake Arenal and the majestic Arenal Volcano.

Wellness Center and Eco-Friendly Amenities
Indulge in our wellness center and enjoy a variety of services including yoga classes, spa circuit, and therapeutic massages. Explore our organic farm, relax by the outdoor pool fed by a natural spring, and unwind in the lush gardens.

Farm-to-Table Dining and Cultural Experiences
Savor delicious meals at Essence Restaurant, offering organic, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Immerse yourself in local culture with cocoa tours, bird watching, and various themed activities.

Escape to Essence Arenal for an unforgettable eco-friendly retreat. Book now to experience nature at its finest.

Important information:

Breakfast is only included in reservations made from July 12th, 2025 to October 18th, 2025.

There is an additional charge to use the spa/wellness centre:

Adult: 20 USD, per hour/per day.

Child: aged 7 – 12 years: 15 USD, per hour/per day.

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.4
Based on 845 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.65
Service: 9.15
Location: 8.15
Room Quality: 8.15
Amenities: 8.65
Value for Money: 7.65
Food and Beverage: 9.15
Overall Experience: 8.65
A
Anne • solo_traveller • us
9
Soul-revitalizing
Pros:

The vegan options were always unique and freshly delicious, with a new menu everyday. The holistic massage helped unwind tension in my legs I had been having a long time. I was supported by the staff there when I got some sad news. The spa circuit was top notch. With beautiful views. So very peaceful. Excellent yoga class with Gaby. I felt very relaxed to do some songwriting and watercolor painting there. Thank you, miss you guys❣️ Hope to come back for longer and do the sweat lodge and more of the plethora of other services next time!

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
S
Silvia • couple • it
7
2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
G
Giovanni Bresciani • solo_traveller • ch
7
2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
S
SEBASTIEN • family_with_children • ca
10
2026-08-04 • via Nuitee
J
Jacobus • couple • nl
10
Pareltje qua locatie en een heel mooi complex!
Pros:

Vriendelijke host en een mooie locatie!

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
K
kira • solo_traveller • us
9
Pros:

Comfortable and clean resort with amazing staff. Very warm and peaceful ambience with healthy fresh food.
Wonderful choice if you are looking for the tranquility and peace.

2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
B
BRUNO REMO • couple • ch
9
Pros:

Yoga

Cons:

Purtroppo tempo pessimo

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
L
Lonni Rørdam • family_with_children • dk
9
Dejlig behageligt ophold. God service, flotte omgivelser og god mad
Pros:

Det var meget afslappet. Vi havde et hus på farmen og der var meget stille og roligt. Vi var også til yoga en morgen, som var virkelig dejligt og nød også vores daglige spa med den meget flotte udsigt. Maden var også lækker og personalet var meget imødekommende

Cons:

Vi troede morgenmaden var inkluderet i prisen, men der er den ikke. Det var nok mest vores egen fejl. Men til gengæld var morgenmaden virkelig god

2026-07-15 • via Nuitee
L
Léana • extended_group • cr
8
2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
E
Egor • family_with_children • ae
6
Pros:

Helpful team, pleasant SPA experiences

Cons:

Struggled to dispute a couple of breakfast-related charges in the final bill for the room. The villa area is connected by a very steep and narrow road, challenging way for unused drivers or walkers, probably you shouldn't try with a regular sedan.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
A
Antoine • solo_traveller • fr
8
Pros:

La vue depuis la chambre et le salon
L'emplacement (nature, parc...) calme et agréable

Cons:

Pas d'eau chaude pendant la durée de notre séjour, ça a été réparé le dernier jour néanmoins
Attention à la conduite pour y aller mais rien de trop compliqué
Propreté moyenne sur certains équipements dans la cuisine

2026-05-17 • via Nuitee
G
gusironman • solo_traveller • ar
10
Excelente lugar y vistas
Pros:

El lugar super

Cons:

Es un poco tedioso el acceso a las cabañas por loenos la que nos correspondía y algo peligroso

2026-05-04 • via Nuitee
E
Emilie • solo_traveller • fr
9
Pros:

Tente en pleine forêt de bambous.
Immersion totale en pleine nature.
Spa accessible gratuitement.

Cons:

Tarifs de la restauration elevés

2026-04-27 • via Nuitee
M
Magdalena • couple • de
7
Wir haben mehr Tiere im Hotel gesehen als im Nationalpark
2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
P
Pascale • extended_group • ca
10
Plus beau séjour de paix et tranquilité
Pros:

L'endroit est magnifique. J'ai l'habitude de voyager dans de très beau hôtel. Hébergement plus comme une colonie de vacance mais à ma grande surprise j'ai adoré. Tellement paisible

Cons:

Tout est vieux, divan et équipement.

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
A
Adrien • family_with_children • ch
9
Un bel hôtel, avec de belles infrastructures wellness et un bon rapport qualité/prix
Pros:

La vue sur le lac Arenal. Le spa et l’ambiance générale du lieu.

Cons:

Les petites maisons sont assez confortables mais pas très propres.
Il faut presque se déplacer en voiture pour aller à la réception tellement le domaine est grand.
Le repas du soir ne vaut pas le coup. Mais comme l’hôtel est assez éloigné, nous n’avons pas eu envie de nous déplacer.

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
E
ERIC • extended_group • fr
8
Séjour satisfaisant en pleine nature
Pros:

Emplacement avec un magnifique point de vue
Calme
Environnement naturel
Jacuzzi
Qualité petit déjeuner et dîner

Cons:

Isolation phonique salle d'eau
Petit déjeuner à régler en supplément
Rapport qualité prix

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
B
Ben • couple • de
8
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • family_with_children • ch
9
Pros:

Super Trails rund um die Lodge. Yogakurse am Morgen sind top! Spa mit schöner Aussicht.

Cons:

Küche sehr spartanisch eingerichtet und kein wirklicher Esstisch.

2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
M
mirian • family_with_children • gb
7
Pros:

Very nice place in the middle of nature. Really enjoyed yoga!

Cons:

In the room you could hear everything from the next door room, there was no privacy and one of the nights we had some neighbour playing music while we were trying to sleep

2026-04-09 • via Nuitee