HotelChatter

First, the pair wisely ushered us to the bar, where our minty welcome cocktails were served by a super cute bartender planted at Kura by management company Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality to help train the small local staff and, obviously, charm the female guests.

Surrounding the bar (in fact, scattered throughout the property) are impressive balsa wood masks that Alejandra commissioned a local Boruca tribe to hand-carve for the hotel. Oh yeah, and "Kura" itself is a Borucan term meaning "jaguar".

As night and the rain fell, Alejandra showed us to our junior suite -- one of six glass-encased yet ultra-private villas sighing with sensuality. Aglow at night with purple, blue, and red LED lights, unique natural elements fish for your attention at every angle, from the 15 ft.-high bamboo ceilings to the National Geographic-style photo of a red-eyed tree frog inlaid on the floor.

With the slightest touch, the transparent floor-to-ceiling walls separating inside from out slide open, letting you slink into the cushy purple hammocks on the black stone terrace and peer out over the dense rainforest canopy. We know we're gushing, but we can't help it, this is LOVE.

Speaking of, honeymooners (any couple, really) will relish the side by side, his n' her rain showers. And the bed? Elevated on a pewter platform smack dab in the center of the room, that thing is like sleeping, nay, floating, on a cloud. I'm not exaggerating: I could not fall asleep, I was so comfortable.

The next morning's sliver of sunshine was the perfect chance to snag a few photos and seize a dip in the saltwater infinity pool, which has gotta be the most high-tech and high-style anywhere south of South Beach. Hugging the horizon, it features panoramic views of the entire Costa Ballena, while underwater speakers fill your ears with crystal clear beats of house music.

Follow the water cascading over the pool's edge and you'll discover where Kura hides some of the solar panels from which it gleans over half of its total energy. More can be seen from the blinding white rooftop, now a basic seating area with pod chairs, but which Martin plans to transform into a yacht-inspired lounge.

During our stay, the chef was still testing out the menu, but expect simple dishes using high- quality ingredients including fresh catches like tuna, and only when they can be sustainably acquired.

There will be a small spa suspended over a cliff with the same breathtaking views of the water and "whale's tail" sandbar as the rest of the property. It's set to house a deep soaking tub and state-of-the-art hydromassage shower with see-through ceiling for, as Martin proclaimed while gesturing to the heavens, "being one with the rain" on those really wet (ahem, green) days.

Kura Design Villas has free WiFi everywhere, but no TVs or hairdryers (sorry ladies). Thankfully there is A/C. Rates begin at $640 from November-April.

[Photos:Suzanne Steinert/HotelChatter]