Posada San Rafael

Ocean Front Luxury Villa in Las Catalinas! The idea to build the Posada San Rafael has been in the mind of the owner since her teenage years, who spent 3 years in Costa Rica in the 1970s surrounded by colonial-influenced architecture in the city. Beaches at that time had no hotels so she visited these beaches with her friends, sleeping in hammocks and dreaming someday of building her own home on one of her favorite beaches. Subsequent world travel experiences converted her home design to more of a boutique-hotel-like home design which is exactly how this home feels and lives.

After stumbling upon Las Catalinas in its infancy, It was compellingly clear that this town offered the golden opportunity to build this dream. The exposure to Mayan architecture, and converted colonial homes, monasteries, and chapels inspired the design of this home. The air circulation of a colonial courtyard was perfect for capturing ocean breezes from all directions, cooling all the outdoor spaces, and becoming the cornerstone for the rest of the home design.

The owner’s collaboration with Jason Bernard of Lake Geneva Architects brilliantly brought to life a home that feels like it has existed for 100 years. Eye candy is everywhere you look, reflecting the amazing artisanry of both the Mayans and local workers. Railings with candle holders and an iconic courtyard fountain are copies of the Santo Domingo monastery. Crafted from pictures, the craftsmen in Costa Rica brilliantly replicated the details of these cherished features. Hand-carved beams and columns, doors, and artwork were sourced over many years from homes being demolished or remodeled in Guatemala. Statuary is both fine and common, once used in churches and home chapels. Textiles are hand-woven on wooden or back-strap looms and reflect the patterns that distinguish the villages where the owner served. Many of the furnishings and light fixtures were designed by the owner, crafted locally or in Guatemala, and are entirely uniqu