Open as of November 1, 2020, One&Only Mandarina, a modern architectural masterpiece of sustainable design and architecture, sits atop the lush, coastal cliffs of western Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit coastline. Between the canopy of coastal rainforest and the warm Pacific Ocean, it is a sanctuary of seclusion and adventure. This all-villa, ultra-luxury beachfront resort stretches across unspoiled nature, yet is a mere hour from Puerto Vallarta. Read on for an introduction to this very special Mexican oasis and CIRE’s Partner of the Month. And reach out to your CIRE Travel advisor if you’re ready to put One&Only Mandarina on your must-visit list!
Know Before You Go to Mexico
Mexico IS open to Americans arriving by air.
No COVID testing requirements to enter Mexico.
No quarantine requirements upon arrival in Mexico.
You MAY be required to quarantine or get a negative test upon return to your home state.
Review One&Only Mandarina’s stringent safety protocols.
Arrive with a Gong
Being welcomed with the ring of a suspended cast bronze gong notifies the team you have arrived. This gong, custom made by the artisan group that has been manufacturing bells for cathedrals throughout the Mexican Republic for more than 60 years, is just the beginning of your unique experience as a One&Only Mandarina guest. Take a mental note of the resort’s “guardian” ancient Higuera tree in the immersive, open-air reception area and how it reflects in the sparkling black pool.
Nestle into Your Luxury Standalone Treehouse or Villa
Choose between One&Only Mandarina’s luxurious standalone treehouses or ocean-facing villas perched cliffside amongst the trees with spectacular views of the Pacific Coast. Both accommodations are designed for indoor and outdoor living, featuring chic interior and exterior elements, such as private plunge pools and terraces, floor to ceiling windows, glass walls and expansive bathrooms with either outdoor showers or soaking tubs – all of which frame the natural environment and the light and shadows filtered through the trees and reflected by water.
The treehouses’ floors, walls and ceilings use local Cumaru wood to heighten the impression of living lightly in the canopy, disconnected, yet one with nature. Bathrooms with floor to ceiling windows and glass walls are fully immersed in their surroundings, allowing for natural light to enter the room from different angles. The villas are constructed with regional indigenous clay, wood, precious metal and stone as private sanctuaries in the spirit of the local Cora and Huichol cultures. The cliff villas are built on the volcanic land at the mountain top and feature concrete floors, high, sky-lit ceilings above the heavy stone walls and wooden built-ins in Cumaru with a raw finish. Terraces and courtyards are made from volcanic rocks directly sourced on location.
One&Only Mandarina is ideal for family gatherings and celebrations. Reserve Villa One with three bedrooms, infinity pool, private spa and gym, full-screen cinema, wine cellar and generous outdoor dining terrace. The resort’s signature villas, such as Villa Pacifico, feature two bedrooms with a King suite and a Double Queen suite, a private swimming pool and jacuzzi, plenty of entertaining and living space, including a full-screen cinema, office space, walk-in closets, outdoor rain showers and outdoor covered dining terrace with barbeque grill.
What’s on the Menu?
One&Only Mandarina showcases a variety of dining choices that celebrate the best of regional flavors, culture and locally sourced ingredients.
Carao, featuring an open kitchen, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a cozy bar and lounge, is the resort’s signature contemporary Mexican restaurant by renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera. Located at the southernmost peak of the resort, the restaurant is positioned atop a dramatic cliff for unobstructed views of Mandarina and the ocean.
Alma captures the morning sun above the rainforest and the sunset on the horizon, perfect any time of day for a bite. Two large, wood-fired hornos create an open kitchen concept in the center of the restaurant. Alma was designed around three iconic trees, and the plateaued area steps down to a series of sun terraces and lounges beside two long pools, both extending over a cliff. Alma’s accompanying open-air bar, The Treetop, is perched atop the hillside, serving refined twists on classic cocktails topped by edible flowers, indigenous herbs and tropical fruits.
The ultra-stylish, casual Jetty Beach Club is located on the resort’s private beach with an open charcoal grill serving the freshest catch of the day. This is your trendy destination for casual beachside dining overlooking two cascading infinity-edged pools adjacent to the Pacific Coast.
The Jetty is beyond the beach club, extending out over the sea, where guests can moor their yachts or watercrafts, embark on sea excursions, and swim and paddle board in the blue-water cove. Relax at the overwater sunset lounge around a large fireplace at the center of a long extinct volcano site.
Michael Foley, Director of Sales, Kerzner International, One&Only’s parent company, encourages you to, “Enjoy a mezcal cocktail by the firepit at the end of our jetty, which juts out from our beach club into the Pacific Ocean. The reason the terrain is so mountainous is because we are on an extinct volcano range, one of which lies under the water. The fire pit at the end of The Jetty signifies what lies beneath it. The view is incredible because you are surrounded by water, but also steep cliffs rising behind you and the most epic sunsets ahead of you over the sea.”
Find Serenity at the One&Only Spa
Mirroring the resort’s innovative design, low-impact architecture and natural elements, the One&Only Spa is situated in a natural volcanic rock garden. Schedule time in one of the six isolated treatment rooms, spa relaxation garden and mud therapy facility. Inspired by ancient healing practices from the indigenous Mayan tribe of Sonora, the Temazcal combines traditional medicinal herbs, heat, steam, indigenous music and copal incense to stimulate detoxification, heal the body and purify the mind.
The spa’s partner is all-natural skincare brand, Tata Harper. Tata Harper’s Multi-Sensory Wellness Journey is a holistic wellness immersion that curates knowledge from Eastern wisdom, Ayurvedic Practices, Western science, and cutting-edge green technology and is featured in select treatments exclusive to One&Only Mandarina.
Also, the resort has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art fitness studio and outdoor yoga palapa, as well as a specialized outdoor gym carved from the surrounding landscape.
Reconnect with Nature
Adjacent to the resort, The Flatlands is the ultimate playground. Reconnect with nature on miles of nature trails. The Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, which is scheduled to host a number of international events throughout the year, is open for horseback riding tours and lessons and children’s activities.
Foley says, “I’m looking forward to exploring the trails of Mandarina by mountain bike. The resort is really built into nature, rather than on top of it. So, this is not the country club, manicured-style resort complex that many are used to seeing in Mexico. You can ride through the deep rainforest and trails of Mandarina and discover the legends and history of the local people while enjoying the scenic views and the incredible flora and fauna. Your guide will stop at secret spots for photos and will lead you to the most awe-inspiring locations within the jungle.”
Excite Children’s Wonderment
Let’s start by saying Brigitte Broch, the imaginative mind behind the stunning film sets from “Romeo + Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction, designed the KidsOnly club. In the end, she created a world of fantasy in an ancient tropical forest where adventure and exploration are infinite. Children are immersed into the Riviera Nayarit’s natural habitat, encouraged to discover a series of treehouses connected by suspended bridges, slides, climbing walls and paved trails. Young guests learn about local animals, birds, insects, and ancient archaeological artifacts from the indigenous Cora civilization in the nature hut. Plus, more activities and adventures take place in the outdoor amphitheater, cinema, butterfly sanctuary, nursery, game room and indoor activity spaces.
Experience the Ultimate in Culinary, Adventure and Nature
One&Only Mandarina balances unparalleled seclusion with the signature One&Only atmosphere. Experience a unifying environment amidst the palm-fringed sands and emerald cliffside that encourages you to reconnect with yourself, loved ones, and the natural world of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit.
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