Mexico has a new luxury property: the One&Only Mandarina, a beachfront resort situated along the Pacific Ocean on the Nayarit Riviera and surrounded by tropical rainforest.
Designed by Tucson-based Rick Joy Architects and executed by a team of local designers and craftspeople, the resort comprises 105 standalone treehouses and villas elevated above the canopy and perched cliffside, all designed for indoor and outdoor living with outrageous views of the ocean, the surrounding Sierra del Vallejo mountains, and rainforest.
At the heart of the hotel is an open-air outdoor living space arranged around a black swimming pool. “Reminiscent of the open porches of traditional Mexican haciendas, the outdoor living area features cosy woven settees and cradling rocking chairs made of Mexican tropical woods, such as Parota and Teak,” explains the hotel operators.
Accommodation options are split between Villas and Treehouses, both of which can be booked either perched on the cliffs or nestled into the dense rainforest.
Notable villa options include Villa Pacifico, a 3,700square foot sanctuary with two private swimming pools, extensive living space including a full-screen cinema and outdoor covered dining terrace with barbeque grill; Villa Jaguar, a stunning 2,900 square foot space offering two bedrooms, with a gorgeous infinity pool perched on a rugged cliff overlooking the beach.
Topping them all is Villa One which sits on almost 19,000 square feet of expansive space and boasts three bedrooms, an infinity pool, private spa and gym, full-screen cinema, wine cellar, and huge outdoor dining terrace.
All the larger villas feature earthen walls that reference historic buildings once constructed on the site by the indigenous Cora people. Funnel-shaped tiled roofs are lined in tropical wood and narrow to glass skylights, adding to the natural light that pours in from glazed retractable walls, while sheer curtains help to control glare and privacy, matching the neutral-toned furniture and accessories.
There are also outdoor showers coated with earth plaster which heighten the experience of staying in the rainforest.
The treehouses, on the other hand, are elevated 12 metres off the ground, engulfed by tropical foliage that encroaches their private outdoor decks and plunge pools. Some have ocean views, and a select few at the highest elevation enjoy panoramic vistas of the coastline.
The floor-to-ceiling glazing of the bedrooms can be fully retracted to create indoor-outdoor spaces. Open-air bathtubs are partially enclosed by wooden slats, while showers inside are tiled with dark stone.
The One&Only Mandarina, which opened 1 November 2020, also offers several dining options for guests that are spread across its expansive site. Beside the communal pool, there is the Alma restaurant that has a diverse menu of “garden-to-plate” dishes, while Mexican cuisine reimagined by celebrity chef Enrique Olvera can be sampled at the cliffside Carao.
There is also the Treetop bar which offers cocktails and light fare to be enjoyed during sunset, while down by the sand is the Jetty Beach Club, named for the semi-circular structure that arcs from the cliff into the water. This casual restaurant serves seafood to tables and beach cabanas that all face the ocean.
With regards to activities at the resort, there is a lot to do. You can get involved in the family-oriented Canalan Beach Club, with its infinity-edged child-friendly pools and tons of activities for the family, including zip-lining through a jungle course. You could also look out for the resort’s own Crocodile Butler, who has the exciting job of monitoring the adjacent Mangrove lagoon crocodile residents, including one that is 17 feet long.
The Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides to waterfalls and swimming holes, but since it will also host several international events each year and weekly Mexican charro nights featuring local riders, live music, and festive cuisine, you can participate if you would be around during this time.
Furthermore, you have the options of a guided mountain bike ride through dedicated trails in the rainforest, surfing the various swells, or horseback riding along the beach. You can go bird-watching in the adjacent jungle – which is home to several exotic birds including the Elegant Trogon – or take a hike to a 500-year-old Higuera Blanca tree called La Abuela. More activities include a visit to a beautiful butterfly sanctuary and a remarkable 42,000sq foot Kids Club complete with a Swiss family Robinson style compound of treehouses and connected bridges.
But if you are too tired to go on an adventure, the One&Only Spa is open for visitors who need to be pampered. It features a collection of six isolated, enclosed treatment rooms, offering experiences cocooned beneath a canopy of large Higuera trees. They have enlisted skincare brand Tata Harper for a holistic wellness immersion that goes beyond traditional spa experiences. The spa also includes the most amazing mud baths and a memorable Temazcal experience. The spectacular gym with all new machines overlooking the jungle is a must for all fitness junkies.
To learn more, visit the resort’s website here.