El Arenal Vacation Packages

Beautiful place. Very helpful staff

You get a beautiful view from almost all locations. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. I didn't eat at all of the restaurants but the pizza at Il Forno was good. As were the drinks! I would have liked to see a few Mexican options on the menu, but, I could have ventured around the property to a different restaurant if it was really an issue. It was low season, but they seemed fully staffed and everything was open. The only comment I have is that I waited over an hour for help with my luggage on check out, despite making several calls. I had given myself plenty of time for the airport, but that could have been an issue for someone on a tighter schedule.

3 out of 5 Stars – Beautiful Property, But Too Many Hidden Costs The resort itself is beautiful. The views are stunning, the chapel on the hill is absolutely gorgeous, and the grounds are well maintained. Those were definitely the highlights of our stay. Unfortunately, there were several disappointments that made this an average experience overall. The restaurants were clearly extremely short staffed. The waitresses and waiters were incredibly kind, hardworking, and did the best they could, but it was obvious they were overburdened and in need of more support. Shame on the property for not staffing the restaurants appropriately. If you weren’t eating at the buffet, expect very long waits for both service and your food. The resort also has quite a few unexpected charges. If you want to take food to your room, there’s an additional fee. We were also surprised by taxes added at checkout that weren’t clearly anticipated. Transportation is another issue. Uber is not allowed on the property, which essentially forces guests to use the resort taxis that are significantly more expensive. In addition, the hotel shuttle costs $27.00 per person, which felt like yet another hidden expense. Check-in was frustrating as well. The front desk representative initially tried to charge me because she claimed my Expedia reservation was booked for only one adult. Fortunately, I had my Expedia confirmation showing it was clearly booked for two adults, so the additional charge was removed.

This hotel is absolutely wonderful. Everything is amazing. Really a great stay. We will be back for sire