Month: June 2025

Forbes Mexico 

 

Nicolás Cejas holds the key to One&Only Mandarina, a hospitality resort nestled in the Riviera Nayarit, which reveals its unique approach to creating an environment designed to attract “collectors of experiences.”

 

Nicolás Cejas runs one of the most exclusive hotels in the world: One&Only Mandarina, the only property in Latin America that, among other distinctions, prides itself on holding three Michelin Keys and a permanent spot in the rankings of the world’s best hotels, as determined by various high-end travel and tourism publications.

 

The hotel has 105 rooms, 49 of which are “tree houses” built at different levels among the treetops and embraced by the jungle, the sea, and the mountains of Nayarit. “Our guests are collectors of experiences,” says the General Manager of the property, which also includes an ultra-luxury villa division called Private Homes. Of these, he proudly states: “They are the largest private homes of any One&Only property worldwide.”

 

For the hospitality expert, two major trends dominate the high-end tourism industry: the creation of immersive experiences that allow guests to absorb the culture of the place they are visiting, and the evolution of wellness spaces into a concept known as a longevity center, aimed at promoting clients’ health in a holistic way.

 

The general manager emphasizes an additional trend: the establishment of genuine connections between travelers and the property’s staff. “Guests value much more when we make a personal connection with them, when we discover something they’re passionate about and can personalize a joyful moment based on that personal interest. That sincere, detailed, and customized touch is worth far more in the guest experience than giving them a 20,000-peso bottle of wine.”

 

 

 

The main guests at One&Only Mandarina are families made up of young couples, usually between the ages of 30 and 45—all with a celebratory spirit that motivates them to choose this particular property. “That age group is precisely the one most interested in experiences centered around sustainability and connection with nature, along with organic products and the promotion of local goods. It’s a generation that has grown up with those values.”

 

What is the favorite spot of the man who holds the key to one of the world’s most coveted properties? Unable to choose just one, Cejas settles on three: “One is our spa, which is truly unique. Another is The Treetop, our little speakeasy built on a platform at treetop height—it’s private, intimate, with spectacular views, and it’s where we create all the hotel’s mixology. And the third is Carao, our restaurant developed in collaboration with Enrique Olvera.”

 

About Carao, the General Manager highlights a particularly special experience: a taco bar that offers only seven seats per day. “It’s a nine-taco tasting menu, created by Enrique Olvera, which is not part of the regular menu; and each taco is paired with a different drink.”

 

 

Among the latest additions enhancing One&Only Mandarina’s hospitality offering, Nicolás Cejas highlights the renewal of the hotel’s mixology program. The new menu features cocktails made with organic ingredients, alcohol-free and sugar-free options, as well as a nightcap concept, with drinks designed to promote rest—perfect for sipping after dinner. Other novelties include the opening of a nine-hole, par-three golf course—plus a bonus hole for a final challenge—designed by Australian golf legend Greg Norman; the revamp of Carao’s menu; and the launch of a manicure and pedicure studio by renowned specialist Bastien González.

 

The hotel features 105 rooms, 49 of which are “tree houses” built at various levels among the treetops, surrounded by the jungle, ocean, and mountains of Nayarit.

 

An additional experience sure to intrigue wine lovers is the Winemaker’s Dining Experience Series, which consists of inviting a winery to host a wine-pairing dinner in one of the hotel’s Private Homes for up to 12 guests. National labels such as Casa Madero have taken part in the series, as well as international names like a submarine winery based in Alicante, Spain, whose bottles spend eight months aging underwater, reveals Nicolás Cejas. “Through this, we showcase local cuisine paired with high-end wines—something our guests, as collectors of experiences, absolutely love.”

 

MORE TO COME

Cejas gives Forbes Life an exclusive preview of what’s in store for the property in the remainder of 2025. Among the highlights: the opening of jacuzzis in the jungle this September. “Inside the spa, we’re going to have four jacuzzis placed in different spots amid the vegetation. This is something guests had been requesting,” he explains. He also announces the launch of a Gin Bar in partnership with a well-known international brand. Carao also returns to the spotlight with the introduction of a Chef’s Table, offering private dining experiences with either Enrique Olvera or the resident chef. “On a very large terrace we have, we’re building a stone table with seating for just eight guests.” This experience will become available in the course of June.