When does a trip to the rainforest become a luxurious escape? At the new (opening November 2012) 12-guest Kurà Design Villas set in the Osa Peninsula rainforest of Costa Rica, it’s the moment you arrive to one of the hillside villas, sink into the cozy sling of a hammock—Mojito in hand, of course—and watch the sun set over the Pacific from a private terrace.
As the newest retreat in the Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality collection, a company that manages Earth-friendly lodges, hotels and small inns in Central America, interiors are all stylish eco-elegance, full of natural materials such as teak, bamboo and glass.
Kurà features six private guest villas, including luxurious amenities such as a king-sized bed with quality linens, plush towels and bathrobes, double rainfall-style shower, private minibar and wine cellar, espresso coffeemaker, iPod docking station, and free wireless internet, in addition to a full-service spa.
And with a 19-metre (62-foot) saltwater infinity pool; outdoor lounge, bar and spa areas; and 360-degree view Sky Lounge for watching a star-glittered nightsky, even lodge lizards can enjoy the great outdoors while waiting for their massage.
You can rest easy, too, knowing your footprint while visiting is being minimized as much as possible. Eco-friendly features include solar panels to provide electricity and heat water, a rainwater collection system, LED lighting throughout the property, and the use of biodegradable cleaning products. When designing the menus, as many local ingredients as possible are used and local guides and tour operators are employed to provide services to guests.
DETAILS:
Overnight room rates for a villa at Kurà range from $440 - $540 USD per night in the green season (May 1-October 31) to $640- $740 USD during the high season (November 1 – April 31). All rates are based on double occupancy and include daily a la carte breakfast, and are inclusive of all coffee, tea, seasonal fruit juice of the house and one round trip transfer from the town of Uvita (approximately 15 minutes) to the hotel. More information may be found by visiting www.kuracostarica.com.
Beyond the Villas, guests have the opportunity to explore the Whale’s Tail sandbar formation within Marino Ballena National Park and Caño Island, which is rated one of Costa Rica´s top diving spots, and between the months of December and April humpback whales migrate here to the warm waters off the coast to mate before returning up north. Kurà also offers access to white-water rafting, ziplining, kayaking, waterfall rappelling, and surf lessons.
ABOUT CAYUGA SUSTAINABLE HOSPITALITY:
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality develops and manages hotels, lodges and other tourism related projects in Central America that are committed to the four Ps of sustainability – people, planet, profit and place. It offers solutions and expertise to tourism operators looking to enhance their performance in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. As well, Cayuga provides expert responsible travel advice, including full itinerary suggestions for families, adventurers and honeymooners. For more information, visit www.cayugaonline.com.
About Ellen Barone: Consumer travel expert Ellen Barone is the founder and publisher of TravelUpdatesbyEllenBarone.com and YourLifeIsATrip.com. Learn more here and connect on Twitter at,Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".