the newest high-end amenity: houses that come with horses

Article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Plenty of luxury housing developments are built around glamorous perks: a manicured 18-hole golf course, a private beach club, even an exclusive on-site restaurant crowned with Michelin stars. Tucked in the coastal jungle of Western Mexico comes yet another hyper-luxurious real estate offering, this one banking on a novel perk: a pony named Karen.

Karen and 48 of her equine colleagues make up the centerpiece of Mandarina, a billion-dollar residential resort gamble currently being carved into a cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Its Mexico-based developer is betting that the palatial, celebrity-architect-designed stables erected at its heart — where the skills of two polo pros and their herd of athletic beasts are available to all residents — will help put this luxury outpost rising from the jungle on the It-people map.

“With the ultraluxury market, this could be their fifth, six, seventh, 10th home — and it is touches that make the difference,” said Borja Escalada, the chief executive officer of the company developing the property, RLH Properties, which is banking on Karen the pony and her friends being that extra touch. “This is creating something. You could be walking the sea, or even trying to surf the waves, and suddenly you go back to the polo facilities and you’re in a different place.”

The resort’s 636 acres include a coastline that remains relatively untrammeled compared to its neighbor, Puerto Vallarta. Construction began in 2018. Phase One was a hyper-luxury hotel operated by One&Only, an international hotelier with retreats from Rwanda to Malaysia, and is now complete: 105 stand-alone bungalows, improbably hewed and hacked among the breadnut trees and bromeliads. Each comes with a butler and goes for between $1,300 and $31,000 a night for a suite. (The tennis star Maria Sharapova held a recent birthday bash in the top suite, her bill compliments of the hotel, according to management.)

Austere to the point of monastic, the cabanas are the model for Phase Two, One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, which has recently broken ground.

Residences, offered for $5.3 million and up — very up — will also be operated by the hotel franchise, whose butlers will be on hand to remove wayward scorpions and other less exotic tasks as needed. Twenty-three of an available 55 homes have been sold so far, some on homesites that appear little more than sheer drops into the sea. These villas will be built on stilts, a complex process with the goal of disturbing as little forest as possible; their glass fronts and infinity pools look into, rather than over, the canopy.

They are the handiwork of the architect Rick Joy, who aimed to create the same seamless blend into nature as he did with another hotel project, the celebrated Amangiri resort, which appears to fade into the rocks of Canyon Point, Utah. Surrounding the semi-arboreal casitas are winding strangler figs, a type of parasitic vine that wraps itself around a tree; the resultant structure is stunning — even as it consumes its host.

In some ways, those figs mirror the development’s approach, which in an exceedingly aesthetically pleasing way has nonetheless overtaken a natural resource. Coati, raccoonlike creatures of almost unbearable cuteness, freely wander like stray dogs across the property, holdouts from the eviction from their habitat. The Sierra Madre Mountains overlook the site, which nearly abuts the home to endangered northern jaguars. Phase Three will be a Rosewood Hotel and that company’s own branded residences, available for sale later this year. Mr. Escalada, the chief executive said future phases include buying up more of the land and expanding.

Residential buyers can choose add-ons like a media room or Peloton gym and from a handful of ascetic décor packages, where even the coffee-table books are preselected. “Everything, down to the last tequila shot glass,” Catherine Martin, the residential sales director, said on a recent tour, holding a locally made crock in her palm. The purchased properties can be put into the hotel’s “pool” of available spaces and generate rental income when not in personal use.

Stepping over vines and between tree trunks, Ms. Martin next wended her way over a prime ocean-view plot she’d recently sold for $17.5 million. The future eight-bedroom chateau is owned by David Malm, an investor from Dover, Mass., known for going on what a Wall Street Journal headline described as a “nearly $100 million buying spree” of properties on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

infinity-edge pool features ocean view

Mr. Malm said he did not buy the property because he is interested in playing polo. The horses appealed as a “hook” for a future buyer, once he first enjoys his vacation home.

“It is an amenity that people aspire to, a lifestyle,” Mr. Malm said. “Even if you don’t ride, they want to be part of that club.”

He added: “It’s not like I’m going to take riding lessons, but who knows.”

The company makes clear it is not trying to lure only polo players to the homes, though there are stalls for rent if you bring your horses on vacation or to live. There are other amenities, like a taco omakase by Enrique Olvera, a chef whose Mexico City restaurant regularly ranks among the best in the world, a butterfly and mantis sanctuary with a resident biologist, and a lush tropical spa with a cistern of mud for slathering.

All of it comes suffused in the over-the-top obsequiousness that is a One&Only brand hallmark. Staff press their hand to their heart each time a resident or guest passes, and scuttle out of the way to give them right of way at all times. If a sun hat drops at dinner, someone may sprint over bearing an entire hat stand.

On weekends, the stables, also designed by Mr. Joy, host exhibition polo matches exclusively for residents and guests. They can watch each inning, called a chukker, while sipping Mandarina-branded Syrah pitchside at an Argentine-style restaurant also called Chukker. There is a library of loaner riding boots and helmets and professional players to teach lessons. A breeding program is also in development: The program’s firstborn foal, named Mandarino, just turned two.

On a recent cloudless day, with the Sierra Madres as a backdrop, a gray horse named Triton toted a first time polo-player and longtime rider (this reporter) around a pitch the size of six football fields. Instruction, from how to hold the mallet or hit a ball off the side of a galloping horse, was minimal.

“I am pretty sure I want to be a Mandarina horse,” Gustavo Mejía, the manager of the Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club. “They have it better than anyone I know.”

But right now, the polo horses do not earn their keep, according to the company. Guests have not come in large numbers to play polo. Some polo ponies have been drafted into more humble work as beach-trail horses, a sharp learning curve for typically high-strung horses. The equines took on their new roles bravely, Mr. Mejía said — particularly considering their route from the barns to the resort’s Canalan Beach Club passes over a lagoon filled with Morelet’s crocodiles.

“The polo, we didn’t expect it to have a return on day one — and we don’t,” said Kappner Clark, RLH’s marketing director. “But at this level of the market, which is ultra luxury, people are looking for unique experiences. And the polo, it fits into that vision.”

That is not to say that the $2.6 million dollar stables in the middle of the jungle are a boondoggle: For residential plots without an ocean view, overlooking the manicured polo pitch and club, with its pleasing geometry reminiscent of a vineyard, is a selling point for RLH. It is also not without precedent: About four hours south is Costa Careyes Polo Club, inaugurated in 1990 into a patch of what had been raw, roadless jungle. Now it is a polo circuit destination, hosting International Federation of Polo playoffs, in a thicket of new high- end real estate development.

Polo in Mexico enjoyed a heyday in the 1980s when several Mexican players rose to international prominence, but the level of play and breeding of top ponies has since lagged behind places synonymous with the sport, like Argentina. In recent years its governing body, the Federación Mexicana de Polo, has made efforts to increase participation.

And just a few miles away, near the hippy-and-spring-breaker-filled village of San Pancho, La Patrona Polo and Equestrian Club is also trying to use polo as a draw for a future housing development — just without “ultra” prefixed to its version of luxury.

Maggie Marinaccio, 44, an antiques dealer from New York, and her husband Jason Reilly, 45, a Fire Department of New York lieutenant, understand the draw of polo. They found the sport on a lark last year, while visiting their family vacation home nearby. Now the couple have seven polo ponies between them, and spend half the year in Mexico. The monthly board bill at La Patrona for their herd is not cheap. But it shakes out to what they would pay to keep and train just one horse at an equivalently high-end stables near Ms. Marinaccio’s antique shop in Hudson, N.Y., they said.

“I would never want to go someplace and live on a golf course,” Lt. Reilly said, drinking a pint of the club’s branded “Galope” beer poured from a tack-room keg. “But I’d want to be here.”
As polo ponies clip-clopped through the architectural stables at La Patrona around him, Horacio Garcia, the chief executive officer of Tierra Tropical, the internationally backed company behind the Patrona development, said ground had not broken on any of the planned luxury homes that will eventually surround the polo club, and there was no timeline yet.

The polo comes first, he said. The rest would follow.

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

in a luxury-home market obsessed with wellness, the ‘shaman is another level altogether’

Article originally appeared on Mansion Global.

A crop of new buildings, in a perennial race for more enticing amenities, are tending to the mental and spiritual health of their wealthy residents.

Luxury concierges, expected to go to the ends of the Earth to satisfy residents, may have to tread even further in their latest role.

A new crop of luxury buildings looking for more creative ways to stand out and attract wellness-focused buyers is going beyond, the flashy fitness centers and spas to add meditation gardens, cold plunges or ice baths—and, yes, spiritual concierges, who connect residents with healers, therapists and a bevy of other experts to help with mental and emotional health.

One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, also offers spiritual aid—a shaman to be exact who leads a traditional Mexican sage ceremony for interested buyers to bless their new homes.

Danielle Lepe, a San Francisco resident who works at Facebook, for one, bought a six-bedroom residence at the property with her husband and jumped at the chance. “I want any home of mine to have good energy, and I believed that a shaman could bring that in,” she said.

Ms. Lepe and her husband invited several friends to join them for the auspicious day, which she said saw clusters of hundreds of dragonflies circling the sky. The shaman saged the property inside and out, she said, and also blessed their expecting friend. “I am not at all a hippie-dippy type, and neither are our friends, but our spirits and souls felt nourished,” she said. “We felt an incredible sense of peace and that everything would be O.K.”

The development’s overall wellness amenities were a big reason why the property appealed to her and her husband, said Lepe. “It has the best breathwork and fitness classes that we fully take advantage of, but the shaman is another level altogether,” she said.

January 3, 2023January 3, 2023

chukker: a jewel of argentine cuisine in riviera nayarit

fresh grilled meats with garden vegetables

Article originally appeared on Forbes Mexico.

The Argentine culinary tradition is honestly recreated among the wonderful landscape of Mandarina Resort & Residences

The aromas and flavors faithfully evoke the feel of Argentine fields. The dishes at Chukker are brought to life through techniques that instill the tradition of barbecue, including respect for fire and patience. This experience takes place outdoors on the fields of Mandarina Resort & Residences in Riviera Nayarit.

Gastronomy is deeply integrated into the natural landscape, which is formed by majestic mountains in the distance, lush slopes and open plains that are similar to the territory that inspires it. A few meters away is the organic garden, where fresh ingredients featured in the restaurant’s curated dishes are harvested.

“We focus on taking care of the authenticity of the recipes. We work with highly selected meats from free-range cattle,” says Giovanni Balloni, executive chef of Club Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit from RLH Properties. He, like the entire Chukker kitchen team, learned the secrets of maintaining the juiciness of the protein and the endearing value of Argentine cuisine from the barbecue master Martín Gomez Maciel.

“What Martín shared with us was having tact with the product and respecting its nature. That is why we cook in a very rudimentary way, avoiding the use of salt during cooking. Simplicity is best, although that doesn’t mean it’s easy”, emphasizes Balloni and explains that the selection of firewood was vital: “we only use two types of wood that are found in the Sierras that surrounds Mandarina and are sustainable”.

Thus, at Chukker, you can cook a whole rack of ribs on the cross or on the grill for a feast of at least 15 diners in the fullness of the field. Plus, a splendid Bife de Chorizo and a Grilled Pork Matambre. Of course, the menu includes top-quality sausages, such as pork chorizo, black pudding and gizzard.

Balloni reveals that in the near future, the Chukker team plans to incorporate other proteins from animals raised in the vicinity of Mandarina such as organic duck, quail and chicken. This is part of the ‘Farm to Table’ philosophy that governs their work.

Understanding the embers and the flow of the wind, calculating cooking times and being happy with the final result was part of the lesson for Martín, a passionate cook from the Argentine pampas, the land where he was born. That sense of belonging and celebration echoes through the atmosphere and through the music.

Poetry immersed in El Chamamé, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and singing by José Larralde is part of the Chukker experience after a friendly game of polo or a walk through the stables. There, in the shade of a large tree surrounded by green grass, emotions come together when tasting an authentic Argentine barbecue paired with good wine from the Southern Cone or a fun house cocktail with Mexican touches. This, while the sunset tints the horizon.

October 10, 2022October 10, 2022

autumn plans: q&a with mandarina’s sales director, catherine martin

lady poses on couch with ocean view in background

As the beauty of Riviera Nayarit takes center stage with the changing season, Mandarina has curated an array of events and experiences designed to enhance your time with us along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. From special holiday events to an exciting new residential launch, Mandarina’s Sales Director, Catherine Martin, shares details on what to expect at Mandarina in the coming months.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS FALL?
I am thrilled to debut the highly anticipated Rosewood Residences Mandarina. We have a growing list of clients eager to learn more, and I know they will be absolutely blown away by the residential offering. Having visited a few Rosewoods in the past year, I feel so fortunate to have one here at Mandarina. Representing residences at the caliber of One&Only and Rosewood in a place as magical as Mandarina? I don’t think there is a better job in the world!

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM ROSEWOOD RESIDENCES MANDARINA?
Rosewood will really bring to life an area of Mandarina that is currently undiscovered, situated between the polo field and Canalan Beach in a location I absolutely love. Beautiful walkways will wind through the estuary, connecting the two so owners can explore the Flatlands like never before. It’s a setting filled with so much beautiful, tropical flora and fauna, and of course the ocean is within close reach. Residences will reflect this spectacular setting with designs that fluently merge a Pacific coastal flair with the renowned, global influence of Rosewood. It will perfectly complement the existing villas we are selling at One&Only Mandarina Private Homes.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT AUTUMN DAY AT MANDARINA.
My perfect day starts with an early yoga class at Aura, nestled in the jungle of One&Only, followed by a walk around the polo field and neighboring organic gardens. I’d then head to breakfast at Alma, stopping at the fabulous NEO boutique next door for a quick look. The rest of the morning would be spent with my family around the pool at Canalan Beach Club before we’d eventually gather for a casual lunch on the sand at Allora (highly recommend the beetroot salad and veggie pizza, both featuring ingredients from our organic farm). After a quick siesta, I’d head to the fabulous One&Only Spa for a Temazcal that would conclude with a cool down in the jungle pools. The day would end with sunset cocktails at The Treetop Bar before dinner in the Flatlands at Chukker. And yes, I think two days might be needed to fit in everything I love at Mandarina!

WHAT MANDARINA EXPERIENCES ACTIVITY DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS TIME OF YEAR?
A boat trip during whale watching season, which starts in November and concludes in March. In my twenty years of sailing trips on the Pacific Ocean, it never fails to thrill seeing breaching whales, turtles and dolphins. I love to spend the day with my family out on the water.

WHICH ONE&ONLY MANDARINA PRIVATE HOME HAS CAUGHT YOUR EYE?
I love the newest treehouse-style villa designs in Phase Two, which seemingly float amidst the jungle canopy and have incredible views over the hotel and down the coastline. I have never seen houses designed like this and, since they feel similar to the treehouse hotel suites at One&Only Mandarina that float above the lush landscape, they will surely be very popular with hotel guests that decide to purchase a Private Home. I would also welcome the chance to own an oceanfront Estate Villa, for obvious reasons of course. 🙂

WHAT EVENT IS FIRST ON YOUR LIST THIS SEASON?
I can’t wait for the first polo match of the season this November. Polo is played in my home country of England, but it wasn’t until I came to Mexico that I started watching matches regularly. And the setting—where else can you enjoy polo surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains? Every time I’m at Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, I’m struck by the immense beauty. The polo season will run until early May, when the horses earn a well-deserved summer holiday. The matches are 4-a-side and played by our in-house pros, visiting teams, and sometimes even lucky hotel guests! Guests and residents alike enjoy the matches under the Mexican sun, and often stay after to enjoy dinner at Chukker, an Argentine-style grill under the stars. On a full moon, the open-air dining experience is illuminated by the moon’s glow—quite magical!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY AT MANDARINA?
My absolute favorite time of day is early morning, as the sun rises from behind the mountains to shine a pristine, golden light on our landscape that is still sprinkled in the night’s mist. This moment of calm and peace just before the sun fully rises is enchanting.

YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE OVER THE SUMMER AT MANDARINA?
Seeing the newest foal ‘Last Dance’ on the very day he was born in July, and watching him grow (quickly!) over the summer. It was a special summer season here at Mandarina.

For more information on Mandarina, including residential collections at One&Only Mandarina Private Homes and Rosewood Residences Mandarina, reach out to Catherine by emailing cmartin@discovermandarina.com.

September 29, 2022September 29, 2022

One&Only Mandarina Private Homes: the world’s most extraordinary real estate offering in riviera nayarit

horse barn and polo field during sunrise

Article originally appeared in INMOBILIARE.

Few places in the world have the richness of wildlife, architecture, gastronomy, and culture that a world-class resort like One&Only Mandarina in the Riviera Nayarit has today, where nature and super luxury come together.

I was fortunate to be invited to this resort by the team at RLH Properties, a company that manages luxury and super-luxury hotels in Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Owner of eight hotels and a golf course, including the One&Only Mandarina located one hour north of the Puerto Vallarta airport.

Mandarina is a resort and residential destination designed on a masterplan with more than 257 hectares of beachfront property, which will feature, in its final phase, two hotels with 105 Only&Only Mandarina rooms and 140 Rosewood Mandarina rooms, in addition to 120 private residences across both brands.

Currently, only 55 villas are available for sale, which are among the first One&Only homes offered for ownership in the world. Each is unique, both in design and location, with ocean, mountain and rainforest views. Villas range from 800 to 1,600 square meters, with one- and two-story designs that feature infinity pools and are priced from $5.25 million to $18.2 million.

These villas are designed by Rick Joy Studio, who is one of the pioneering, high-profile architects focused on bringing nature back into the building equation. Each villa features 4, 5 and up to 8 bedrooms, and is a haven in all sensory senses. The architecture and interior design is in a balance with the surrounding nature, which is achieved with three different types of furniture packages that an owner can select from.

Major benefits for owners is privileges to all One&Only resort worldwide, which includes exclusive events, priority booking, special discounts, access to the international concierge, and access to its rental program, where the One&Only Mandarina team takes care of the management and marketing of the rental of the residences.

Being part of One&Only Mandarina Private Homes gives you access to the following amenities:

— One&Only Mandarina Private Homes owners enjoy complimentary access and use of all resort facilities, subject to availability.

— Exclusive membership program for full access to all Mandarina Community amenities.

— Two safe beaches: 1.6 km Canalan Beach and 1 km Jetty Beach.

— Three beach clubs: Jetty Beach, Canalan Beach and Rosewood Beach Club.

— Seven world-class restaurants.

— Six resort pools, including adult-only and family pools.

— One&Only Spa, with outdoor treatment rooms, state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio.

— Kids Club with treehouses, bug hut, outdoor amphitheater, daycare, game rooms and sandbox.

— The Mandarina Experiences team offers concierge services for excursions and outdoor adventures.

— A Jungle Course featuring a zip line and obstacle course.

— Sports courts for basketball, tennis, pickleball and more.

— An estuary with diverse coastal plants and animal life.

— A jetty for super-luxury boats.

— Miles of trails for walking, running, biking and horseback riding.

— Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club with two arenas and a world-class polo field.

A RESORT LIKE NO OTHER

My stay at One&Only Mandarina was full of surprises. I had the opportunity to enjoy the huge hotel villas that combine luxury with natural wilderness, plus your own pool, as well as have the service of a personal concierge who always assists you 24-hours a day, as well as an exquisite dinner at the Italian restaurant at the seashore in the Canalan Beach.

The next day, I enjoyed hiking to the ancient tree called “La Abuela”, enjoying an afternoon sunset cocktail at The TreeTop bar, having a massage in one of the world-class Spa cabins, strolling through the Kids Club and finding the most impressive butterfly garden I have ever seen before, strolling through the Polo Club and seeing the best equipped equestrian club with 40 horses available and feeling like a polo player.

I closed the trip with dinner at Carao, which fuses Mexican haute cuisine with regional gastronomy, by Chef Enrique Olvera, creator of Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in Manhattan.

It was, without a doubt, the best three days I have experienced since this pandemic began.

Mandarina has so much to offer, it is impossible for me to mention all the activities and places to enjoy, eat and relax. For me. it is without a doubt, the best super luxury resort in Mexico.

If you are interested in owning this lifestyle, contact Info@DiscoverMandarina.com.

August 30, 2022

this resort-style home just became the most expensive ever sold in mexico’s riviera nayarit

Article originally posted on Modern Luxury Aspen.

Everyone wants a slice of tropical paradise, but one motivated buyer just bought the whole cake.

One&Only Mandarina Private Homes provides ultra-luxurious villas to wealthy world travelers who want a Mexican getaway that feels like home.

Today, the company is proud to announce that it just broke the record for the highest sale price ever for a single-family home in the Riviera Nayarit region, landing $17,528,506 for a breathtaking property that has yet to be built.

Dubbed Villa 38, the momentous home was purchased by a Boston-based partner at a private equity fund who was reportedly drawn to the natural beauty and secluded location of the lot. This sale uppends the previous record set by the $16,700,000 sale of a single-family home at Punta Mita Resort in 2019.

A 200-mile stretch of beach at the center of Mexico’s eastern coastline, Riviera Nayarit is quickly becoming one of the hottest emerging regions for resort living. According to One&Only’s report, only six of the region’s homes were sold in the $10 million price bracket from 2012 to 2018. That figure doubled from 2019 to 2021, and an additional seven homes have sold for $10 million or more in the past six months alone.

This particular home is designed to include more than 12,000 square feet of interior space and boast 6,164 additional square feet of explorable exterior. The single-family home will feature eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three powder rooms and a private pool, ensuring the lucky buyer can enjoy their home-away-from-home with all their friends and family.

Also on the blueprint are a home office, gym, tropical garden with hammock lounge, fire pit, water features and a rooftop lounge for entertaining. The home will be finished and furnished with locally-sourced materials, bringing the natural wonder of Mexico’s majesty to life throughout the home.

This unit is to be built on one of the largest lots in One&Only Mandarina Private Homes’ acreage. The buyer will enjoy expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, its coastline and the surrounding jungles.

As a homeowner, the buyer gains access to resort privileges, including exclusive events and priority vacation bookings, a personal concierge, private chauffeur and access to property management teams, should they see fit to rent the home when they’re away.

While specific images of this record-breaking home can’t be shared, as the unit has yet to be built, you can see more images of existing One&Only Mandarina Private Homes properties below, and learn more about the company’s resort-living experience at discovermandarina.com.

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022

real estate record-breaking sale smashes expectations in mexico’s riviera nayarit

vaulted wood-slat ceiling overlooks ocean from living room

Article originally appeared on Lux Exposé.

One&Only Mandarina Private Homes has smashed the record for the highest sale price ever achieved for a single-family home in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit region at $17,528,506. Villa 38 was acquired by a Boston-based partner at a private equity fund who was attracted to the One&Only brand and saw the value of the natural beauty and secluded location of Mandarina. The previous record-breaker in Riviera Nayarit was at Punta Mita Resort in 2019 when a single-family home sold for $16,700,000, according to La Punta Realty.

Homebuyers, including the new owner of Villa 38, believe in the future of Riviera Nayarit and expect that real estate values will rise as more people discover the area. The dreamy destination has already witnessed an incredible increase in eight-figure sales over the past decade and prices only continue to rise. From 2012 to 2018 only six homes in the $10 million price bracket sold in Riviera Nayarit. From 2019 to 2021 this figure doubled to 12 sold homes over $10 million. This year alone, seven homes over $10 million have already been sold there as of July, with several more in serious negotiations.

Villa 38 is the oceanfront home that boasts over 12,000 interior square feet and over 6,164 exterior square feet, as well as eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three powder rooms and a private pool. There is an office, gym, hammock lounging area in the tropical gardens, fire pit, water features, an additional rooftop lounge area and finishes and furnishings made from natural and locally sourced materials. The villa is located on one of the largest lots of oceanfront land at One&Only Mandarina Private Homes and features spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline and jungle.

Villa 38’s buyer is also working alongside the property’s developer, RLH Properties, Mexico’s top publicly traded hotel and development group, to customize the home to his liking.

Each homeowner has a dedicated One Contact, who oversees the care of each villa and handle everything from event and activity planning to concierge and à la carte services, such as pre-ordering groceries and in-villa private chefs. Residents may also take advantage of the One&Only Private Homes Rental Program, with the rentals of their villa represented, marketed, and managed by One&Only Resorts. Homeowners enjoy priority bookings and preferential rates at One&Only Mandarina and all One&Only resorts across the globe.

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022

mexican villa with pacific ocean views sells for $17.5 million

infinity-edge pool with ocean view and pool lounges

Article originally appeared in Mansion Global.

An oceanfront villa in Mexico has sold for $17.5 million, setting a record, according to the developer, RLH Properties, for the Riviera Nayarit region, which is on the country’s west coast.

Part of One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, the home was purchased by a Boston-based partner at a private equity fund, according to Mandarina. Mansion Global could not independently confirm the sales price or the identity of the buyer.

The deal for the villa, one of the largest oceanfront parcels at the Mandarina resort, was made in advance of the official launch, according to Catherine Martin, sales director at Mandarina.

‘It shows the value of global luxury branded real estate and the allure of this beautiful natural stretch of the Mexican Pacific coast,” she said in an email. “Mandarina is second to none in luxury holiday destinations for those in the know.”

Boasting views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline and jungle, the more than 12,000-square-foot home—which is still under construction—will feature oversized windows to frame the vistas, plus retractable doors that expand the living space. The villa is set to be completed in about two years.

The layout will offer eight en-suite bedrooms, plus three powder rooms, according to marketing materials. It also boasts another 6,164 square feet of outdoor space, and is surrounded by the green mountains of the region.

The design was helmed by Tucson, Arizona-based architecture firm Studio Rick Joy, which used natural and locally sourced materials throughout the build.

Amenities are set to include an office, a gym and a rooftop lounge area, according to marketing materials. The villas will also have a suite of Delos’ Home Wellness solutions to control air and water purification and humidity levels, as well as a circadian lighting system. Outside, there’s a waterfront infinity pool, a fire pit, water features and a hammock lounging area in the tropical gardens.

There are a total of 55 private residences planned for the project. Residents will have access to the larger resort, which offers a One&Only spa, a beach club and a number of restaurants, plus a kids’ club and staff-curated experiences.

July 15, 2022July 15, 2022

travel+leisure: One&Only Mandarina

Mandarina is thrilled to share that in addition to One&Only Mandarina being named the #2 resort in Mexico by Travel+Leisure, One&Only was also recognized as the #2 hotel brand in the world.

THE 25 BEST RESORT HOTELS IN MEXICO

There are myriad reasons to love Mexico, from ample sunshine and secluded beaches to warm hospitality and flavor-packed food. The country — T+L’s 2022 Destination of the Year — has been one of the few international destinations to permit nonessential air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, and hotels kept guests’ health and safety top of mind as they implemented wide-ranging protocols, including free on-site pre-departure testing for guests. But as new properties continue to open across the country at a rapid clip, it takes more than nailing the basics to get onto this prestigious list of the 25 best resorts in Mexico, as voted by T+L readers.

Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city hotel, resort, or safari lodge based on their locations and amenities.

Travelers couldn’t resist the barefoot luxury of Mexico’s coastal resorts, which comprise the entirety of this year’s list. Seven honorees can be found in the state of Quintana Roo, home to the stunning stretch of the Caribbean seaboard known as the Riviera Maya. On the Pacific Coast, one of the newest resorts to be recognized is No. 2 One&Only Mandarina, which opened near Puerto Vallarta in 2020. “Experiences to create lifelong memories,” wrote one reader about the resort’s programming, which takes full advantage of both the surrounding rain forest and adjacent beach with activities like zip-lining, rappelling, surfing, and fishing. “Loved every minute of this beautiful tropical paradise,” summarized another fan.

ONE&ONLY MANDARINA, RIVIERA NAYARIT

One of the newest hotels in One&Only’s portfolio, this resort was designed so that its 105 villas and tree-house accommodations blend seamlessly into the tropical environment. It also boasts a modern-Mexican restaurant from acclaimed chef Enrique Olvera.

Travel+Leisure Score: 95.64

June 23, 2022June 23, 2022

famed one&only mandarina resort is offering private homes for the first time — living in mexico’s natural wonderland oasis

pool lounge chairs point towards ocean view

Article originally appeared in Paper City.

ENJOY LIFE ON A STUNNING CLIFFSIDE OR ON THE EDGE OF A JUNGLE

About a decade ago, a group of forward-thinking real estate developers landed on on untouched stretch of land an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. After hiking through the lush jungle landscape to the edge of the cliffside, a sparkling ocean appeared and the vision of a luxury vacation land came into focus.

The vision was implemented with a specific mission: to preserve the surrounding ecosystems and embrace the natural surroundings as the destination’s most cherished asset.

Welcome to Mandarina, a 600-plus acre resort land that is home to the globally acclaimed One&Only Mandarina resort, which opened in late 2020, and soon will be home to the Rosewood Mandarina resort, scheduled to open in 2025.

The innovators behind all this are Mexican real estate developers RLH Properties, the Mexico City based developers behind several luxury destinations including Mayakoba, who dreamed up the idea to break the traditional resort rules to attempt to reach new levels of sustainability and preservation while upping the guest experience.

The mission was definitely achieved. Nature is the main personality of Mandarina.

With picturesque cliffside treehouse suites brimming with design details and jungle experiences at your beck and call, this is a different type of Mexico escape.

Aside from tapping two of the world’s finest hotel brands to bring an elevated resort feel, including doting service, unique adventures and topnotch food and drink, Mandarina is home to the very first home offerings of One&Only.

Like with the hotel, One&Only Mandarina’s private homes are built around a uniquely serene, elevated setting, letting nature take centerstage.

ONE&ONLY MANDARINA PRIVATE HOMES

There are only 55 homesites available, almost half of which are already sold. Based around each specific homesite’s location and viewpoints, each floor plan is completely unique. They are all based on the undulations of the hills and existing vegetation.

Some homes are set among white fig and palm trees with floor to ceiling windows for peering out at the dense plant life and some are perched atop the cliff’s edge and come complete with a soundtrack of crashing waves.

The thoughtful respect given to the encapsulating flora and fauna helps set these Mandarina homes apart. In fact, it is touted as the lowest density vacation home development of its kind.

The renowned architect behind the famed Amangiri resort in Southern Utah, Studio Rick Joy brought its natural touch to One&Only Mandarina and its private homes.

These homes are all about putting nature first and making it the star.
Each Mandarina home can be customized around a set of curated floor plans and a contemporary oceanside cool aesthetic. Homeowners can choose from a selection of finishes and furnishings to complement the rich beach inspired hues and clean lines of the homes.

Every element of the homes was fine tuned to fit in with the natural surroundings. Even the shade of paint for the stucco was tirelessly matched to the exact tones of the cliffside soils.

But what’s this natural wonderland going to cost you?

Four or five bedroom villas ranging from 4,470 to 7,390 square feet start at $4.4 million. Eight bedroom Estate Villas with square footages that start at 11,085 feet cost up to $16.25 million.

Of course, you’re buying more than an indoor space. Each Mandarina home comes with 2,260 to 5,380 square feet of outdoor space. That’s plenty of room for infinity pools, lounge areas, fire pits and terraces. After all, the point of being here is to soak up the jungle and ocean views.

Kitchens can be designed with a back of the house focus for staff or as the center of the house for family style entertainment. Pools can be designed to be kid and sports centric or more chilled for relaxing and soaking up the sun and those views.

THE MANDARINA EXPERIENCE

When riding down past the ocean cliffs and hillside homes, the lush green fields of Mandarina are revealed. A striking complement to the mountainous jungle of the property, the flatlands are great for activities and adventure opportunities, all played out with a breathtaking mountain range backdrop. That means long stretches of Mandarina gardens and nurseries, along with tennis, pickle ball, and basketball courts, and even a state of the art polo and equestrian club.

The impressive Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club is home to more than 40 trained polo horses and a full-sized polo field that plays host to professional polo matches each weekend during the circuit’s season.

The impressive Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club houses more than 40 trained polo horses and a full-sized polo field that plays host to professional polo matches each weekend during the season.

The Canalan Beach Club offers homeowners access to the mile long stretch of white sand beach. There is even a beachside restaurant named Allura that specializes in Italian food. Of course, Mandarina home owners can enjoy all of the One&Only resorts’ restaurants. That means everything from casual beachside dining to award-winning sophisticated food in a cliffside setting.

But what about the personalized service you expect? Each homeowner will have a dedicated One Contact, an extension of the signature butler service the One&Only resort offers its guests. The One Contact will attend to every need, oversee the care of the villa and of course, securing restaurant reservations and spa and kids club appointments. These personal concierges can even set up jungle adventures, water excursions and special dining experiences.

With this being the first One&Only branded residences in the world, it’s all about setting a sky-high standard with nature as the perfect backdrop.