Staying at Kura in Costa Rica

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

May I have your mobile number?

After a long day’s travel, we arrive at the gates of the intimate Kura Boutique Hotel in the evening. We’re tired and grubby, want a shower and are absolutely ravenous. “Could I perhaps have your mobile number?” asks the friendly member of staff. “Then I’ll send you a message via WhatsApp. That way, you can easily get in touch with us. We’ll now take you to your villa, so you can freshen up and rest after your journey. I’ll send you our menu via WhatsApp in a moment, so you can have a look at your leisure and order something.” How simple and oh so pleasant. So here, we don’t have to dial 9 for reception; we can just send a quick message and be looked after down to the last detail.

Our spacious suite has a sleek, minimalist design, but the abundance of wood and the lighting give the room a really cosy feel. We wash away the heat and dust under the lovely rain shower and sink onto the sofa. We don’t feel like leaving our room today, so I ask if they can serve dinner in our room as well, and of course that’s no problem at all. After enjoying an excellent dinner of fresh fish, accompanied by a crisp white wine, we fall asleep, tired but content.

It’s the staff who make the difference

​The next morning, we’re woken by the first rays of sunshine streaming into our villa. From the sounds around us, we can tell that the rainforest is waking up too. As we draw back the curtains, we catch our first glimpse of the breathtakingly beautiful view. In silence, we savour this dreamlike spot. Breakfast is once again delicious, fresh and prepared with love.

That day, we head to the nearby Marino Balleno Nature Park, where we take a walk along the beach. It isn’t busy; there are just a few Costa Ricans enjoying the lovely surroundings. In the afternoon, we treat ourselves to a lovely spa treatment at Kura, and in the evening we sit down for dinner, where we’re not only treated to culinary delights but once again thoroughly pampered. It’s a real treat to be here, and that’s down to the enthusiastic staff. They’re always friendly and genuinely interested. They have a keen sense of exactly when it’s time for a bit of fun and banter, or when we need a moment to ourselves.

One last surprise

When we go to sit down for breakfast for the last time the following morning, we’re greeted with a mischievous smile. “We’ve been waiting for you, because we’ve organised a surprise for you.” As we look at each other in surprise, we’re led up to the hotel roof, where, with a 180-degree view of Uvita’s breathtakingly beautiful coastline, a table has been set especially for us. What a surprise!

No matter how beautifully designed a hotel is or how unique its location, it’s the staff who make the difference in setting it apart as a truly unforgettable place – and that’s certainly the case here at Kura Boutique Hotel. Pura Vida!