Sueño Dorado
At a Glance
- Great location for visiting nearby hot springs
- Surprisingly nice pool and hot spring
- Hotel rooms need a once over
- Thin walls make it easy to spy on neighbors
It's difficult to beat $56 for a double room, especially when it’s beside Arenal's largest collection of hot springs –Baldi, Paradise and Ecotermales. Just 2.5 miles from La Fortuna, Sueño Dorado has volcano views and two pools.
read more closeRooms
Basically a motel, Sueño Dorado has parking outside its 11 rooms that all look toward the volcano. The rooms have thin walls and are sparsely furnished with tables, old TVs (with cable), WiFi, double beds, threadbare sheets and turquoise bathrooms with unintentionally funky, '70s style chartreuse lighting.
Amenities & Service
Ignore the sign that says 'Steak House' because the restaurant doesn't exist. Sueño Dorado does serve breakfast, but the kitchen service is slow so it's best to plan ahead if you're waiting for a tour pick up.
The swimming pool and the thermal pool – with mineral waters pumped from a nearby hot spring – are well maintained and make a pleasant alternative to spending time in the rooms. Though, while relaxing at either of the pools, you may hear children laughing in the distance, but it is Lucy, the family parrot playfully chortling.
The staff (or rather Manuel at the front desk) and the owner's family are friendly and courteous. The owner's son even gave me a lift while I was walking back from La Fortuna – not even knowing I was a guest at the hotel.
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