Month: February 2022

Article originally appeared in Elite Traveler. 

When One&Only unveils a new resort or collection of properties, one thing is certain: the destination is going to be epic. Naturally, the luxury hotel group’s latest venture, One&Only Mandarina, is no exception. Surrounded by lush greenery on a hillside overlooking the ocean in Mexico’s pristine Riviera Nayarit, it’s little wonder prices for the private villas start at $4.4m.

As One&Only’s first branded residences in the Western hemisphere, expectations are high. And the 55 ultra-luxurious villas certainly don’t disappoint. Designed by Rick Joy (the celebrity architect known for Amangiri) in collaboration with leading Mexican firms including Taller de Arquitectura, the contemporary properties seamlessly blend in with the stunning surroundings, effortlessly mixing indoor and outdoor spaces. Needless to say, prospective owners won’t have to worry about prying eyes as the leafy hillside location ensures total privacy.

For Joy and his team, respecting the environment was key. “Full reverence and protection of the jungle drove our vision,” he says. “This led to stand-alone rooms woven between the jungle trees and the connection to nature throughout the personal resort experience. After all our years in practice, we believe that nature is the most true luxury.” To help turn this vision into a reality, One&Only enlisted local landscape architect firms Entorno Taller de Paisaje and Maat Handasa.

Each of the new homes at One&Only Mandarina has been custom built to make the most of the breathtaking vistas of the ocean below and Sierra de Vallejo mountain peaks in the distance. Future owners can choose from two residence styles – villas and estate villas – which feature four-, six- and eight-bedroom floor plans.

Spanning almost 19,000 sq ft, the largest properties are seriously spacious. Of course, there are plenty of areas for entertaining with each residence home to a generous sun terrace and infinity pool – the perfect spot for sipping a cocktail while watching the sunset.

Stepping foot inside, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of tranquility. The modern, open-plan interiors are bathed in natural light thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and feature a warm, earthy color palette.

When choosing materials, Joy wasn’t afraid to keep things simple. “We decided to predominantly use local stone and local wood, working with a minimal number of elements,” he explains. “Our palette is inspired by place and the materials and craft mostly sourced or Mexican made. The giant trees with their expansive roots dictated our architectural designs and response and why we avoided solely using masonry, which is more regionally traditional. More grounded structures are masonry built massing with stucco and lightweight wood beam structure above. This lighter construction allows the wood and stone shelters to disappear into the site.”

Future owners have a choice of two furnishings packages, each of which includes quality, bespoke pieces designed to be handed down through the generations. As with all branded One&Only private residences, those that are lucky enough to live at Mandarina will have access to an impressive array of amenities. This includes a dedicated member of staff (known as ‘One Contact’) to look after the property and take care of everything from event planning to pre-ordering groceries and heating the pool prior to arrival. The One Contact is also on-hand to organize residents’ trips to other One&Only properties across the globe.

When it comes to facilities at the resort, homeowners are spoilt for choice. Perhaps most impressive is the idyllic open-air spa. Here, beneath the canopy of trees, residents can relax in a mud bath or take a dip in the cold plunge pool. Balmy afternoons can be spent at The Jetty Beach Club reading a book on the sun-loungers or embarking on a sailing excursion.

Those looking for a family-friendly setting to soak up the views and enjoy a casual bite to eat can head to Alma while the adult-only Carao (located on the southernmost peak of the resort) boasts a gourmet menu from talented chef, Enrique Olvera. As for little ones, the 42,000-sq-ft Kids Club is a dream come true with tree houses and an insect hut to explore.

Beyond these resort amenities, residents at One&Only Mandarina have access to The Flatlands – a sprawling green landscape that stretches from the rainforest to the ocean shore. Seasoned riders and novices alike can visit the Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club and attend weekly events, while bird-watching enthusiasts can while away afternoons in the Estuary.

One&Only Mandarina private homes are on sale ranging from $4.4m to $16.25m.

Article originally appeared in Travel+Leisure.

Five-star amenities and unbeatable mountain and ocean views set among the lush Mexican jungle.

There are few things better than checking into a One&Only hotel — except for perhaps walking in with the knowledge that you don’t have to check out. For dozens of fortunate luxury travelers, this may soon be a reality. One&Only is giving us the perfect reason to consider investing in a second home, this time in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit

The company just completed its first branded residences in the Western hemisphere — One&Only Mandarina Private Homes — with 55 stunning villas. The properties, nestled on a lush hill and overlooking a dreamy one-mile stretch of sandy beach, are completely one-of-a-kind as the architecture was adapted to their unique location. Lead architect Rick Joy (also behind the spectacular Amangiri) designed the homes to blend with the lush landscape, creating perfect harmony between the spacious homes and the environment. The two-level, four-, five-, and eight-bedroom residences span up to 19,000 square feet and include ample outdoor spaces with infinity pools, fire pits, and plenty of space to entertain and soak up the hot, Mexican sun.

Inside, a calming, earthy palette of natural materials, such as local wood and stone, exudes serenity and understated luxury. New owners can further customize their homes by choosing from three furniture and finishing packages to make their villa perfectly move-in ready. The open-concept interiors feature exposed beams, soaring ceilings clad in wood paneling, and gourmet kitchens. Oversized windows and glass walls reveal the beautiful views surrounding the properties.

Of course, as an One&Only branded project, it’s all about the five-star amenities. Each owner will have a dedicated concierge who attends to their every need.

“In addition to offering striking design and architecture, One&Only Mandarina Private Homes places residents at the center of an exciting residential community where adventure awaits,” Kappner Clark, chief marketing officer of RLH Properties, the development company behind the new venture, told Travel + Leisure via email. “The development is home to remarkable cuisine, a world-class spa and beach clubs, as well as a myriad of exclusive experiences. Mandarina is known for its incredible Polo & Equestrian Club, where residents can watch matches or learn how to horseback ride themselves, but there’s also zip lining, mountain biking, a ropes course, hiking, tennis, pickleball, and much more.”

Residence prices range from $4.4 million to $16.25 million, but you’ll need to hurry up as villas are already being snapped up by keen buyers.

Original article appeared in Architectural Digest. 

By now, hotel-branded residences are a well-established real estate trend, with both luxury and mid-priced hospitality companies having their stake in the game. The ultra-exclusive One&Only collection was the rare holdout that had yet to offer residences for sale. Finally, in what’s an exclusive reveal with AD.com, that’s about to change: the brand’s first-ever residences to come to market—named One&Only Mandarina Private Homes—are now debuting at One&Only Mandarina, located in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit.

The Private Homes at the resort comprise 55 villas that are built into the oceanfront cliffs and mountains that Riviera Nayarit is known for. Buyers can pick between two kinds of residences. The core collection offers either four- or five-bedroom villas that span from 4,470 to 7,390 square feet. These numbers don’t figure in the outdoor space that ranges from 2,280 to 3,200 square feet. Estate villas are palatial with their eight bedrooms, interior space of almost 11,085 square feet plus an additional 5,380 square feet of outdoor space. All the homes stand out for their views of either the lush surrounding rainforest or the Pacific Ocean and have infinity pools, outdoor fire pits, and plenty of common spaces ideal for gathering with friends and family. Prices start at $4.4 million and cap off at $16.25 million.

The celebrated architect Rick Joy, founder of the Tucson-based Studio Rick Joy, designed the villas and is also behind the design of the resort, as well as some of the world’s top hotels including Amangiri in Utah. In a statement about the project, Joy says that the properties were constructed with concrete, local stone, and wood. In speaking about the resort overall, he says, “Our process was narrated not just by the hundreds-of-years-old trees and vegetation, but also the pre-Hispanic history and artifacts on site.”

Kappner Clark, the chief marketing officer for RLH Properties, One&Only Mandarina’s developer, describes the villas as capturing the best of indoor/outdoor living. “The essence of Mandarina is to be immersed in the nature and, to that end, the homes have an indoor/outdoor living room and a kitchen that opens out onto a large terrace where you get vistas of the water or mountains,” she says.

In true One&Only style, where service is unparalleled, each homeowner is paired with a One Contact, who is their personal concierge and caters to their every need, from stocking the kitchen with their favorite foods before they arrive to making restaurant and spa reservations.  Owners can also rent out their villas and get the benefit of picking their desired furniture package, curated by One&Only’s and RLH Properties’ interior design teams.

And we can’t leave out the amenities that owners can enjoy at the 620-acre resort, such as the hiking and biking trails, equestrian and polo center, spa, and multiple restaurants and beach clubs.