Author: Michelle Hadjisavas

One of Mexico’s most popular destinations is somehow, ironically, also its least explored. A 200-mile stretch of coastline known as Riviera Nayarit—about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta—is as diverse as they come, comprised of mountain ranges, swimmable seas, volcanic craters and tropical jungles. Travelers from all over the world come to walk the streets of boho beach towns, surf the swell and revel in its archaeological offerings, but few stay long enough to celebrate its storied past or play a part in its future. Mandarina, Mexico’s luxe resort and residential property, was designed to do just that.

 

“Mandarina is home to one of the last remaining tropical, beachfront jungles in Mexico, which makes it the most significant resort and residential development to grace the shores of Mexico in decades,” explained Ricardo Santa Cruz, founding partner of Mandarina and RSC President.

 

The $1 billion property began its initial planning 10 years ago and today, features two hotel properties known as One&Only Mandarina and Rosewood Mandarina, as well as soon-to-be Mexico private homes Rosewood Residences and One&Only Private Homes.

 

The One&Only branded residences are the company’s first and only ownable villas throughout the world—a step in a new direction from their simply extravagant vacation properties. Designed by Rick Joy Architects, each one of the 55 villas at One&Only Private Homes are architecturally unique, meant to capture the most idyllic views possible from every vantage point.

 

Floor plans for the villas range from four, five and eight-bedrooms at 7,500 to 13,500 square feet, costing anywhere between $4 million and $12 million. “Today’s luxury home buyer is focused on location, lifestyle, and privacy,”  said Santa Cruz. “Owning at One&Only Mandarina offers a lifestyle of unforgettable experiences with a remarkable destination to call home.”

 

The surge in buying Mexico private homes stems from the transition to resort stays versus residences, where lodging options for the latter can easily accommodate larger families or impress discerning travelers. At Mandarina, they’re offering guests a chance to actually own and preserve a piece of Riviera Nayarit’s heritage, one that cannot be replicated.

 

Aside from location, what makes the Mandarina development so special are the array of amenities in which it offers, mimicking a kind of luxury lifestyle essence that has yet to be seen on Mexico’s Western shores.

 

Located on Mandarina’s flatlands, the Polo & Equestrian Club is a world-class facility featuring two arenas, tournament-sized polo fields, clubhouse, pro lounge and shop. Guests of all ages are encouraged to gather, learn, practice and compete. Also located within the flatlands is their on-site farm which features local fruits and vegetables, as well as an authentic farm-to-table restaurant.

 

The One&Only Spa offers open-air treatment rooms, in line with their holistic and nature-driven approach to wellness. Take a dip in the plunge pool, practice yoga on the palapa or indulge in a massage underneath a canopy of trees.

 

And every night, as tribute, guests can venture over to The Jetty at sunset to catch a glimpse of fire burning across the sea, symbolizing the center of a long-dormant volcano in which Mandarina sits today.

 

“Properties like Mandarina allow buyers and travelers from around the globe to celebrate life with those that matter and make lifelong memories in a place where natural wonder abounds and all of life’s every need is at your fingertips.”

 

*Originally posted on VUE NJ

Riviera Nayarit just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and it’s a noteworthy milestone.

 

Once home to a number of sleepy seaside villages on nearly 200 miles of pristine coastline, the region is now legendary, dotted with numerous luxury, three-, four- and five-star hotels—with more on the way.

 

One of the most significant developments is the new One&Only resort, which is scheduled to open later this year in the $1 billion Mandarina development located at Monteon—a town in Compostela, Mexico.

 

The up-and-coming development will not only be home to a 145-room luxury resort, but the resort company has also built its first branded residences within the complex.

 

Dubai-based Kerzner International Holdings, Ltd., which owns One&Only Resorts, is offering a total of 55 private homes that make up the first phase of the project.

 

The properties, which are selling for between $4 million and $12 million, were designed by Arizona-based architect Rick Joy, incorporating the jungle vegetation and natural cliffs of the region according to a report in the Mexico Daily News. One&Only already operates one of the most exclusive properties in Mexico in San Jose del Cabo. The One&Only Palmilla is often recognized for its superior services and accommodations.

 

The company is also developing another property in Mexico that encompasses One&Only’s brand evolution.

 

Approximately 60 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, the One&Only Nature Resort in Santa Maria de Xala will offer a tented camp experience with 17 luxury suites, each with private pools, on 5 miles of beachfront.

 

*Originally posted on Travel Pulse

An international ultra-luxury resort operator is making a billion-dollar bet on a new oceanfront residential development in Nayarit, just north of the Pacific coast city of Puerto Vallarta.

 

One & Only Resorts, owned by the Dubai-based company Kerzner International Holdings Ltd., is selling private homes in the US $1 billion Mandarina project, located around 50 kilometers or less than an hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta in the Riviera Nayarit.

 

It is the first time that One & Only Resorts has put its brand on a residential project. Kerzner partners RLH Properties and RSC Development pre-sold the first branded residences late last year.

 

A total of 55 residences make up the first phase of the project, which was designed by Arizona-based architect Rick Joy to incorporate the natural environment including jungle vegetation and cliffs which drop down to the Pacific Ocean.

 

Each residence is priced between US $4 million and US $12 million. There is also a 108-room One & Only hotel.

 

A later stage of development will add another section of residences and a second hotel as well as a beachfront polo field and an equestrian center.

 

“The community that these people are buying into, they realize that this is the last large tract of land,” said Ricardo Santa Cruz, CEO of RSC Development.

 

*Originally posted on Mexico Daily News

Mandarina is thrilled to announce its partnership with one of the most acclaimed polo clubs in North America.  Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club is now the sister club of Aspen Valley Polo Club, offering members exclusive benefits at both clubs. Members will enjoy access to reserve VIP areas, complimentary access to all facilities and member pricing on equestrian activities, including boarding opportunities, priority reservations and more. They will also enjoy members-only access to all tournaments and events. As part of the partnership, the clubs will host jointly sponsored tournaments twice a year, with a summer event in Aspen and a winter event at Mandarina.

 

The two clubs celebrated their first joint event over the weekend, with Mandarina sponsoring the Mount Sopris Cup at Aspen Valley Polo Club. It was the first time the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club players took the field as teams in a tournament, with the Mandarina Black team advancing to the finals to play Tonkawa, another team making its summer polo debut in Sunday’s championship game, covered by Condé Nast. Tonkawa defeated Mandarina 13-11 to capture the Mount Sopris Cup. The tournament awards were presented by Ricardo Santa Cruz, Partner of Mandarina and his sister, Cindy Santa Cruz, Equestrian Director at Mandarina.

 

The Mount Sopris Cup is a two-day tournament featuring six teams and named after the impressive peaks of the Elk Mountains, which serve as the picturesque backdrop of the Aspen Valley Club. After tournament play on Saturday, members of the Aspen club were invited to a private VIP dinner with the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club players. Mandarina sponsored the VIP Tent for Sunday’s Mount Sopris Championship Day, featuring open bar, gourmet Mexican fare and a Veuve Clicquot divot stomp.

 

“Mandarina was proud to sponsor and play in the Mount Sopris Cup. Not only was this the first event since announcing our partnership with Aspen Valley Polo Club, but also the debut of the Mandarina polo team,” said Ricardo. “We look forward to many more events, sharing the benefits of this partnership with our members and welcoming members of the Aspen Valley Polo Club to our world-class facilities in Mexico.”

 

Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club is one of many private amenities enjoyed by residents and guests of One&Only Mandarina, One&Only Mandarina Private Homes and Rosewood Mandarina. The club will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a 30,000-square-foot jumping arena, a 13,000-square-foot dressage arena, two tournament-sized polo fields, a polo lounge, 60 stalls with attached runs and an equine veterinary hospital with a surgical site. Situated within the Flatlands of Mandarina, the club is surrounded by miles of soft, sandy beach, soaring mountain peaks, lush agricultural land and leafy, tropical jungle, located less than one hour north of Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit.

The Agency is thrilled to share the very first glimpse of One&Only Private Homes at Mandarina, among the first collection of One&Only branded villas to own in the world. Situated in a spectacular setting less than one hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 55 ultra-private villas will neighbor the new One&Only Mandarina beach resort.

 

Recently unveiled by Bloomberg News, the villas will be nestled along a lush, tropical hillside above a one-mile stretch of sandy beach on the pristine shores of Riviera Nayarit. One&Only Private Homes is the first residential offering to debut within Mandarina, a master-planned resort and residential community featuring One&Only Mandarina, Rosewood Mandarina, and the world-class Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club.

 

“One&Only Private Homes at Mandarina is among the first collection of hotel branded residences from one of the most renowned and celebrated luxury resort companies in the world,” said Andy Ardila, Managing Director of The Agency Development Group, which represents sales and marketing of the villas. “This residential offering is unprecedented on many levels, combining the signature One&Only experience, an unrivaled location on Riviera Nayarit, incredible architecture by one of the world’s foremost visionaries, and lifestyle amenities unmatched anywhere in the world.”

 

The villas feature innovative architecture by Rick Joy Architects, a Tucson, Arizona-based firm acclaimed for its climate responsive, environmentally sensitive work. Four, five and eight bedroom villas will be situated within the trees, designed to blend with the landscape, rather than reshape it. Each villa is architecturally unique and configured to maximize far-reaching views of the tropical jungle landscape, soaring mountain peaks and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Villas offer 7,000 to 13,000 square feet of seamless indoor/outdoor living, infinity-edged pools and thoughtful modern detail. Residents may choose from a selection of four furniture and amenities packages highly curated by One&Only to ensure homes are remarkably designed and furnished upon arrival.

 

“What’s so interesting about these homes is they aren’t just positioned to capture ocean views,” said Ricardo Santa Cruz, President and CEO of RSC Development, a developer partner with RLH Properties on Mandarina. “Rick Joy and his team configured the homes to offer a rich and varied backdrop that immerses residents in nature. Some rooms are beneath the jungle tree canopies; others capture mountain peaks descending to the ocean. Architecture is used as a way to frame the overall experience Mandarina has to offer.”

 

Residents of One&Only Private Homes will enjoy an extraordinary array of amenities for relaxation, cuisine, wellness and adventure, including those of One&Only Mandarina, Rosewood Mandarina, and the entire Mandarina community. Within moments of home will be two private beach clubs, the One&Only Spa, world-class dining, a jungle adventure outpost, and an incredible kids’ club with treehouses and a butterfly sanctuary. Miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails extend from the mountains to the beach and across the Mandarina Flatlands.

 

One of the community’s most distinct and remarkable offerings will be the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, where riders from all over the world will gather to learn, practice and compete. It will host several international events each year, featuring open-air jumping and dressage arenas, two tournament-sized polo fields and a polo lounge. Horseback riding lessons for the whole family and children’s activities will also be offered.

 

Tremendous planning and forethought went to the programming of amenities within the master-planned Mandarina community to offer residents authentic experiences as diverse as the landscape itself. Mandarina is situated amidst one of the last remaining beachfront jungles in Mexico, along a 200-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast. Riviera Nayarit boasts a rich biodiversity and some of the best climate conditions in the world, with 345 days of sunshine a year and average temperatures in the low 80s.

 

An easily accessible destination, Mandarina is located minutes from the surfing mecca of Sayulita and the charming resort town of Punta de Mita. It is a less than one-hour drive north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, a drive that will be shortened to 30 minutes when the region’s new highway is completed in 2019. The airport welcomes direct 2 to 3-hour flights from the Southern U.S., as well as direct flights from a host of other U.S., Mexican and Canadian cities.

 

Construction of the One&Only Mandarina beach resort has commenced, with One&Only Private Homes set to get underway this spring.