The one&only Mandarina nestling in the lush surrounds of one of Mexico’s most spectacular stretches of coastal rain forest at its back, it faces onto the glittering beaches of the country’s western shoreline.
one&only Mandarina on the Riviera Nayrit
The one&only Mandarina is one of just 12 resorts owned by the Group which also owns Palmilla on the southernmost tip of the Cortez peninsula. Madarina, on the other hand, is in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit where the beaches slope gently down from the western Sierra Madre mountains to the Pacific Ocean. This latest corner of Mexican vacation heaven really does, however, achieve a whole new level of excellence and exclusivity.
33 hectares of paradise
Spread over a 33-hectare site and luxuriant vegetation, the one&only Mandarina offers its guests an astonishing array of choices for an unforgettable stay, including 105 freestanding villas and Treehouses as well as 54 private homes available to buy.
designed by Tucson-based Rick Joy Studio
The resort, which opened in 2020, was designed by the Studio Rick Joy from Tucson, which describes its design focus as: “Exactness, details that support ideas and respect for the origins of the artisanal skills that design to life, and materials that respect all these elements and the culture of a place”.
All of the resort’s buildings are an homage to their natural environment and the culture of the local descendants of the ancient Cira and Huichol peoples. Only locally-sourced materials were used and the pitched roofs reference the palaspas palm roofs of the traditional wall-less huts that dot the beaches in the area. All of the outside walls of the one&only Mandarina buildings are in the colours of the clay used for the homes in the area.
There was huge focus on ensuring that the resort slotted into the areas in a way that respected it and its traditions, a case in point being the villas on the volcanic rock cliffs and in the trees with views over the beach and ocean. They feel entirely remote from the rest of the world and completely connected with nature – fulfilling the main aim of the project.
one&only Mandarina: fauna and flora preserved
Aside from making a commitment to local communities that they would not interfere with the area’s profile, the one&only Mandarina designers also undertook to preserve the native flora and natural environment. During the design and construction stages of the project, a team of botanists helped develop a sublimely relaxing haven where the designers have worked with nature to create a spectacular result without resorting to high walls.
It is this alchemy of nature, bold contemporary design and sustainable architecture that makes the one&only Mandarina so special. Traditional Mexican design has been brilliantly reinterpreted too: in fact, the textiles used are by Colorindio, which has been championing the work of expert artisans from across Mexico since 2009.
Another thing that sets the one&only Mandarina apart is that, in addition to its Treehouses and Cliff Villas which are ideal for small groups and families, and the gorgeously romantic seclusion of the Grand Villas, it also boasts exclusive Signature Villas on the hillside.
one&only Mandarina five-star restaurants and services
This offering is topped off by a KidsOnlys club designed by Brigitte Broch, who won the Art Design Oscar for Moulin Rouge,fine-dining restaurants such as Carao headed by chef Enrique Olivera (holder of three Michelin stars for Cosme in New York), and casual beach bars. The Jetty Beach Club is a fantastic place for guests that feel like wiling away a day at the beach.
Other choices include forest adventures and horse-riding at the Polo & Equestrian Club. For vacationers with only chilling out and pampering on their minds, there’s the Aura Deck with its magical combinations of meditation, astronomy and yoga, and the Spa where they can reconnect with nature and nurture a deeper connection as they unwind.
Just a few of the very precious and priceless gifts that a holiday at the exclusive one&only Mandarina resort on the Riviera Nayrit on the Pacific Ocean holds in store.
Emilio Martinelli
