Arenas del Mar

Facilities

• Dining: The open-sided El Mirador Restaurant is in a fantastic setting with views of Manuel Antonio National Park, the white sand beach and the sparkling ocean. Local, seasonal produce is used to create a Costa Rican menu with an international twist. There's also a bar here, but you should stop off for a sundowner at the other bar by the beach, Playitas, while the monkeys play in the forest around you. Lighter snacks are served here too
• Swimming Pool: There are 2 pools, both filled with ionised water, not chlorine. By the restaurant is a lovely organic-shaped pool, with plentiful loungers and glorious views of the ocean from above. Down near the beach is another pool, popular with children, with a snack bar close by
• Spa Treatments: Las Brisas Spa is beautifully designed to give each treatment room full sight of the rainforest through glass walls. Inspired treatments use Raw Botanicals: organic Costa Rican products of a high standard
• Weddings and Celebrations: Weddings can be arranged. A local wedding planner can assist with details for an intimate wedding for 2, or a larger celebration with friends and family
• Meetings/Functions: Not suitable
• Disabled Access: Three Ocean Breeze Suites have disabled facilities, as well as one of the restaurants, the public bathrooms and the main lobby
• Pets: Not accepted
• Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Italian, German

Also...

• There's a superb shop selling surprising and desirable jewellery and bags, all made by local people to very high standards: none of your charity buying. Here are really sophisticated items crafted from recycled ring pulls, fabrics, woven crisp packets and woven plastic bags, but so exquisite you’d never know

Environmental Policy

The owners’ aim is to immerse guests in nature, and preserve the environment. Great care was taken in way the hotel was constructed and it is run to make minimal environmental impact. This is luxury without guilt.

Arenas del Mar has a long list of efforts it makes in order to protect the environment, from heating water with solar panels to using bamboo straws with drinks to reduce non-recyclable waste. Guests are encouraged to participate in its 'plant-a-tree' programme.

Social Responsibility

All staff are local, and were meticulously trained to give them professional polish and good English, but possess a natural charm and a friendliness which you can’t teach.

When to go?

The hotel is open all year. The dry season is December to April, when it’s hot with no rain, so it's great for the beach. This is the rainforest though, so there has to be a rainy season, and it’s April to November. In September and October, the rain is very heavy, November is still lovely and Thanksgiving brings lots of US guests, who stay for the following week. January, February and March are the busiest months. It's far better to come in May, when the rain is supposed to start, but it’s still very pleasant. Even then it only rains in the afternoons. Book a year ahead for Christmas and New Year.

Author's tips

Three nights is the average stay, which will allow a day at Manuel Antonio National Park, another active day’s adventure, and then a final day to rest at the hotel, though 5 days would be perfect, as Arenas del Mar really does offer a complete experience.

Features include:

• Room service
• Bar
• Vegetarian menu
• Breakfast
• Lunch by arrangement
• Dinner by arrangement
• Garden
• Internet access
• Outdoor pool
• Spa treatment rooms
• Jacuzzi/hot tub
• Disabled access
• Off street parking
• Airport Transfers