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The chef behind Pujol and Cosme opens his third restaurant at the brand new One&Only Mandarina hotel.

 

Enrique Olvera knew just the vibe he wanted to conjure at Carao, his new restaurant at the not-yet-year-old One&Only Mandarina in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. “The same feeling as when you’re sitting under a palapa right next to the sea,” muses the world-renowned chef, best known for Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in Manhattan. Situated at the southernmost edge of the resort, with panoramic views of untouched coastline, Carao strikes that note and then some. Rain-forest vegetation cocoons the dining rooms, which are outfitted in organic materials and arranged around a central hearthlike kitchen. These sublime spaces give way to an adults-only pool that juts out toward the surf—the perfect spot, chef says, to raise a glass at sunset. (He recommends the guava margarita or one of the many biodynamic wines.) Nibble on seaweed chicharrón with pico de gallo, then sit down for a meal of regionally inspired dishes like pescado zarandeado, a fresh whole fish that is marinated and grilled in a traditional local fashion. Just be sure to check out the plates themselves, part of the ceramic dinner service that was custom made for the restaurant by the Veracruz-based artisan Joel Bautista Rojo.

 

Of course, there is plenty more to enjoy along this pristine stretch of Pacific coast. Opened in November of last year, the One&Only Mandarina features 105 freestanding guest villas, each constructed so as to preserve the exuberant rain forest. The result is an idyllic merging of indoors and outdoors, as contemporary yet rustic rooms (think raw timber, decorative copper leaf, Mexican textiles) open onto 82 acres of lush greenery. Tempting though it may be to while away a week in your private soaking tub or outdoor shower, an array of activities will entice— whether a hike along miles of trails to La Abuela, a magnificent tree, or an afternoon at the Jetty Beach Club, equipped with paddleboards and other aquatic accoutrements. (As a special treat, charter a boat for a private visit to nearby islands.) Unwind at the spa, where skin-care guru Tata Harper has curated a range of wellness journeys. Or let loose sampling the many mezcal offerings at The Treetop bar. Here, unsurprisingly, it goes down smooth.

As soon as I arrive in steamy Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast from my home in Mexico City, I’m whisked away for an hour-long ride past the relaxed beach towns of Sayulita and San Pancho. Instead of veering toward Punta Mita—a private peninsula home to the Four Seasons—I’m headed north to Mandarina, a new resort and residential community situated atop the lush, coastal cliffs of Riviera Nayarit’s tropical rainforest.

 

My destination is the new One&Only Mandarina, a high-end beachfront resort with 105 free-standing villas and treehouses spread throughout 80 acres of dense jungle canopy. Once the staff at the entrance gate flags us through, we drive down a winding pebbled lane hugged by foliage until we arrive at the main pavilion, where I’m welcomed by the ring of a suspended cast bronze gong made by an artisan group with 60 years of experience casting bells for cathedrals. A team of nearly 20 people await me at the doorway, each with their hand over their heart—the classic One&Only greeting.

 

My butler, Danyael, drives me in an open-air buggy to my villa, a treetop perch where I can see the beach from my plunge pool. Before he leaves, he asks if he can cleanse my room with a smudge stick (obviously, I say yes). He lights a bundle of sage, palo santo, and eucalyptus and circles the room. Once I’m alone, I notice that the resort paid extra attention to sourcing from Mexican designers. The in-room kimono is by Candor, one of my favorite textile studios headquartered in Mexico City, and the orange and cream textiles on the bed are by my friends Libia Moreno and Paulina Parlange of Colorindio, also based in the capital city.

 

While I could walk to the resort’s various outlets, I rely on Danyael, who I have instant access to by picking up the phone in my villa. He zips me over to dine at Carao by Enrique Olvera, a restaurant meant to emulate the cuisine one would find at a traditional Mexican palapa on the Pacific Coast. It’s set on the resort’s highest, southernmost peak. The meal—prepared by Pujol alum Jesús Durón—is as expected: exceptional and classically Mexican. It begins with fresh ceviche starters and ends with homemade cinnamon buñuelos.

 

Equally good is Alma, an open-air, garden-to-plate restaurant helmed by French-Mexican executive chef Olivier Deboise. The setting is gorgeous, with a citrus-tree lined patio set above a series of sun terraces and two swimming pools, both extending over a cliff: one shaded under lush greenery, the other facing the ocean. The restaurant has two wood-fired ovens, which Deboise uses to turn out inventive dishes that riff on traditional recipes and ingredients, like epazote ravioles with huitlacoche and almond cheese and matcha crème brûlée.

 

Thankfully, the resort has a long list of active experiences like guided bike rides through the rainforest and horseback riding lessons to balance out all the eating and drinking. In crafting excursions, they worked with a team of local botanists to help minimize any impact on the existing natural landscape. My favorite activity is a hike to visit the 500-year-old higuera blanca tree known as La Abuela, where a local guide led me through one of the property’s new hiking trails, explaining the flora and fauna and even pointing out rock carvings believed to be etched hundreds of years ago by the local Cora and Huichol cultures. Post-adventure, I had an in-room massage (the spa has partned with natural skincare brand Tata Harper). I’m told future treatments will be offered in the resort’s spa, located in a natural volcanic rock garden that includes six secluded treatment rooms, each with design elements inspired by expressions of sacred geometry created by Huicholes, one of the Indigenous communities of Riviera Nayarit.

 

I don’t have children, but if I did, I know they’d be pumped to be dropped off at the property’s kids’ club. It’s a resort in its own right, a Brigitte Broch masterpiece (the Academy Award–winning art director behind film sets like Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge). Treehouses are connected by suspension bridges and there are climbing walls, an outdoor amphitheater, and a nature hut with artifacts from the area’s indigenous Cora civilization. But, by far, I’m most impressed by the butterfly sanctuary. Whether intended or not, its shape reminds me of a caterpillar.

 

On my last night, I watch from my villa as the sun slips through a sherbet-hued sky and into the Pacific. I can see all the way down to the jetty, whose arced shape is meant to represent the center of a long-dormant volcano that helped shape the surrounding landscape. There’s an overwater lounge area and a circular fire pit. I watch as a member of the staff sets it ablaze, a nightly ritual that I’ve come to see as my cue that it’s time for a margarita.

 

At the end of the day, the One&Only Mandarina is the type of place where every last detail of a visit is taken care of. The decor, food, and natural setting were excellent, but what stood out and what would bring me back were the people: the general manager, Serge Ditesheim, sent me his recommendation for the best mezcal bar in the nearby town of San Pancho, and the food and beverage director, Sébastian de Vizcaya, noted I had loved one of the salsas and handed me a jar, bottled and labeled, for me to take home and enjoy. I’ve finished it—guess I’ll have to go back for more.

 

Originally posted on Condé Nast Traveler.

 

One&Only Mandarina, the newest addition to One&Only’s collection of ultra-luxury resorts, is introducing refined dining to a rare, undeveloped stretch of coastline along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico in November 2020. In partnership with internationally acclaimed Mexican Chef Enrique Olvera, chef and owner behind the award-winning Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in New York City, the resort’s signature restaurant Carao will provide guests with an innovative epicurean experience as transportive as the destination itself.

 

 

“We are thrilled to welcome the undeniable talents of Chef Enrique to One&Only Mandarina as we share his passion for balancing all the wonderful flavours of Mexico through a fresh and contemporary experience,” said Phillipe Zuber, CEO, Kerzner International. “We are confident that his thoughtful approach to cooking will complement One&Only’s commitment to innovation and authenticity across our portfolio as we introduce the cuisine of Riviera Nayarit through his lens at Carao.”

 

 

Inspired by constant exploration of Mexico’s bountiful ingredients, Chef Olvera’s Carao is poised to be an extraordinary dining destination. Modern yet authentic Mexican cuisine and the best of regional flavours are celebrated, all in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere amidst the tropical rainforest of the Mexican coastline.

 

 

“The vision behind Carao is to emulate a traditional Mexican palapa on the Pacific Coast, where every detail has been woven into the simple idea of well-being. This notion is at the core of the restaurant, with a menu that naturally flows with it: it’s all about the luxury of being there,” said Enrique Olvera. “Carao will be a celebration of not only food, but the locale of Mandarina, the community, and its vibrant culture through music and art, sparking a connection between all of these elements and our guests.”

 

 

Carao invites guests to experience Olvera’s distinct interpretation, coupling a modern approach with revered ancient technique. In an ambiance inspired by the destination, Olvera highlights locally sourced ingredients resulting in an experience that is authentic in its approach to flavours. Chef Olvera designed the menu reflective of his globally recognised skill and passion for modern Mexican fare, showcasing reinvented starters such as Horse Mackerel Ceviche with soybean germ and cucumber, Grilled Amaebi with ginger salsa macha or a Shellfish Medley, alongside a wide variety of vegetable-forward dishes like Coconut Tamal with turnip, mole verde and purslane, and Smoked St. Marzano Tomatoes with eggplant and Greek yogurt. Main selections include Aged Whole Fish Zarandeado-style, a regional cooking method using a marinade of dried chile paste and slow-roasted over hot coals, Grilled Squid served with white lentils, and Catch of the Day fillet with sweet chard and plantain puree, alongside larger seafood-focused dishes such Octopus served with celeriac, coconut and garlic stems. A robust beverage programme will complement the dishes, featuring Mezcals, Tequilas, artisanal agave and other fine spirits, as well as Mexican beers and a curated international and local wine list.

 

 

Located at the southernmost peak of One&Only Mandarina, the dinner-only restaurant will offer spectacular sunset vistas of Mandarina paired with the vibrant energy and spirit of the destination. The cliffside Carao will feature an open kitchen, intimate indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a cosy bar and lounge. An adjacent infinity-edged pool, dedicated to adults only, extends out over the mountainside, where guests can unwind and soak up panoramic views while enjoying a curated poolside and lounge menu of light bites from Carao. Available from noon to 6.00pm, guests can enjoy an innovative bar menu of Celeriac Tostada with spicy tartar sauce, Eggplant Tetela with pea sauce, Charred Leek Tacos with almond mole and Seaweed Chicharrón with pico de gallo.

 

 

Beyond Olvera’s innovative dining concept, One&Only Mandarina will also offer casual beachside cuisine throughout the day at The Jetty Beach Club. Located by the resort’s private jetty, guests can enjoy a bevy of fresh seafood cooked to perfection over a wood and charcoal grill, paired with inventive cocktails while lingering in one of two infinity pools or on oversized daybeds and cabanas. In the evenings, The Jetty invites guests to revel in uninterrupted sunset views over signature cocktails before heading to dinner. Set in the heart of the resort, Alma will feature seasonal specialties, Pan-American delicacies and garden-to-plate menus with the adjacent Treetop Bar perched over the sea. Guests can begin each morning at Alma with an international breakfast until the restaurant converts to an open kitchen for a la carte lunch and dinner inspired by the Mediterranean.

 

 

Carao and One&Only Mandarina will begin welcoming guests on 1 November 2020. For more information or reservations, please visit: oneandonlyresorts.com.

We wish we could be together to sip our signature cocktail, the Mandarita. For now, we’ll have to settle for enjoying cocktails from afar. The Mandarita made the rounds over the last year, taking center stage at Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club events. Tournaments took place at the Aspen Valley Polo Club, Petaluma, Santa Ynez and Wellington, the site of our end-of-season celebration.

 

Until we can meet on the polo fields again, please enjoy the Mandarita, mixed to perfection in the comfort of your home. 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2oz Casa Dragones Tequila 

1oz Cointreau

1oz Fresh Lime

1 oz Freshly Squeezed Mandarin

Mandarin Slices

Salted Rim

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Prepare a rock glass by running a lime wedge along the edge of the rim and turning it upside down onto a shallow plate with salt.

 

In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, lime juice, mandarin juice, tequila and Cointreau. Shake for about 30 seconds. Strain into a prepared glass and garnish with a mandarin slice.

 

Serve immediately and enjoy.

 

Salud!

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. A place where warm sapphire waters provide a steady surf, and the dense jungle mountains sweep straight overhead from the Pacific coastline. This region can be uniquely identified from other popular parts of Mexico—like the Caribbean stretch of Riviera Maya or the high-energy party locale of Cabo—due to the steep peaks, acres of untouched land and an array of charming seaside towns that dot the sandy shores. The innovators of the luxury development, Mandarina, with its centerpiece the Mandarina hotel site, are well aware of this verdurous region ripe with opportunity, and are currently crafting their own dream destination for those who are eager to call this coast of Mexico home—at least for part of the year.

 

Just an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, the breath-taking new project is more of a Jungle Book dreamscape than a concrete commercial resort. When driving up to Mandarina, you are met with a wealth of biodiversity teeming among the flatlands and volcanic-formed mountains all flanked by a nearly one-mile stretch of private beach. Set amongst this forever sunny swathe of land will be the discreetly constructed, yet decidedly decadent, Rosewood Mandarina Resort. Guests will have access to an equestrian club, a man-made jetty designed for sipping and strolling, a world-class polo and equestrian club, a nature-inspired spa and the Canalan Beach Club where a picturesque pool is set. The highly celebrated Carao is a striking lookout where an edge-less swimming pool tips over the cliffside, inviting an adults-only crowd to dine on locally-inspired cuisine while reposing across from the setting sun.

 

Mandarina was always intended by its developers to be a place of connectivity, not only to nature, but to one another. And that community will include some well-known faces, such as San Francisco Giants pitcher, Mark Melancon, who allowed the Wall Street Journal to showcase his building plans for his own private residence that is being designed. Famous names aside, the integrated and social environment is one that gives guests the option to connect as well as maintain a level of privacy from all other residences due to the physical space set between each residence.

 

The sophisticated infrastructure and high-design aesthetics of the first One&Only Mandarina Private Homes were conceptually designed by American architect, Rick Joy, who is celebrated for his global design projects. One of which was with the global hotel group, Aman, where Joy executed the luxury desert resort of Amangani in Utah. For this project, which is comprised of 54 custom-built residences, the design team will lend their expertise to clients through a hands-on approach to help create their desired dream private home. The floor plans range from 5,000 to nearly 11,000 square feet of indoor space, and up to another 8,000 square feet of outdoor space. Holistic interiors are paired with low-density land planning and an architectural approach that lets nature lead. “Each day, you can wake up and decide what kind of experience you want to have. The villas are really the instruments that frame those experiences,” Joy says about the developing properties.

 

The private homes are centered around the breezy outdoor living spaces with great rooms and suites opening to the pool terraces—a staple in the year-round 80-degree weather. Glass walls allow the wildness to be seen from nearly every room, while custom woodwork, warm metals and red clays add a dynamism to the beachy locale. Mandarina will also include a Mandarina hotel, debuting this year, that will be the a 104-room spectacle that appeals to the largest audience as they are available for nightly rentals year-round. Designed for those looking to dip their toes into all that the resort has to offer, guests can choose between a visit to the treehouse rooms or the villa-style hideaways, which are both a small-scale version of the homes and balance above the mountainsides as if suspended from the canopy.

 

Although these exclusive residences, ranging from $4.95 million to $12 million, are not for the everyman, putting your money into a branded residence like Mandarina is a long-term investment that will likely appreciate in value while also giving buyers the chance to lease their property while they aren’t using it. Mandarina is slated to open November of this year, and if you are considering laying stake at the resort, you might want to venture south soon before the area of Puerto Vallarta and the locally-populated and sleepy surf towns become even more discovered.

 

Mexico-based developer and property owner RLH Properties enlisted Mandarina Chief Business Development Officer, Ricardo Santa Cruz, to be the tour de force behind this epic project. We spoke with Cruz about what it took to make this dream a reality, from maintaining a sustainable approach to building a new community in this historical region of Mexico.

 

A CHAT WITH RICARDO SANTA CRUZ

ICONIC LIFE: Built on 640 acres, Mandarina is a massive undertaking for a real estate project. How did you choose and then acquire this portion of the coastline?

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz: The process of land consolidation for Mandarina, where the Mandarina hotel will sit, involved the negotiation of 640 acres of coastal property belonging to more than 58 families. Because this site was considered “ejido” meaning communal properties regulated under Mexican agrarian law, the requirement to buy the land was to have every single family member sign off on the sale of every land parcel. 

 

From the initial land acquisition and RLH Properties’ efforts to make a positive impact on the adjacent small town of El Monteon, Mandarina has since invested more than $3 million and counting in the neighboring community infrastructure including potable drinking water, a church, soccer field, basketball court and a beach club replete with oceanfront swimming pool and restaurant, which attracts many local visitors every weekend.

 

With Mandarina’s ongoing initiatives to work with the local community, the project has received great local support as it has already enhanced their way of life and will bring jobs and education closer to home, allowing families to stay in the area for generations to come.

 

ICONIC LIFE: What was the process of developing the land while taking eco-conscious efforts to limit impact?

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz: On a personal level, having lived in Mexico for the majority of my life, I have seen how many development projects in the past that paid no attention to the environmental or social aspects around them are now suffering the consequences. Their projects are surrounded by social inconformity and they have lost the ability for their guests to have the true integration with unspoiled nature that the high end market is looking for.
Creating low density projects that have a high respect for nature and take care of the environment and the surrounding communities really pays off. These types of projects are very profitable, and the industry and Mexican government prefer these types of projects because they generate more and better paying jobs than higher volume all-inclusive type hotels and resorts.

 

With that said, to bring in these internationally recognized, high-end hotel brands, like Mandarina, the architectural and sustainable components become very critical. As a result of this, many developers have elevated the design on an international scale to introduce some of the most globally recognized and accomplished architects to design and develop out the latest resort and residential developments in Mexico while also being very mindful of the existing environment.

 

ICONIC LIFE: What are some of the unique design points in the villa estates?

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz: Each of the residences are unique with each thoughtfully designed after a detailed site analysis, investigating the geology, climate, views, availability of local materials and ‘the building culture of place.’ The result is architecture that is at one with the site and its heritage.

 

The innovative contemporary architecture harmonizes eloquently with the landscape. Each villa is architecturally unique and envisioned specifically for its location along the southern peak to capture the most favorable ocean views.

 

ICONIC LIFE: How were the private home sites chosen?

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz: The homesites were chosen based on views, feasibility of construction due to topographical constraints and environmental restrictions. Each of the private home sites were plotted by the developer to ensure each homeowner would have amazing vistas while maintaining their privacy. Buyers are able to choose their specific site of choice from the pre-determined home locations and customize their residence to suit their lifestyle.

 

ICONIC LIFE: What preservation efforts are being taken to protect the natural landscape?

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz: We have set out to create a destination that is at once, respectful of the past and mindful of the future. Through careful, very low-density land planning, Mandarina and Mandarina hotel will preserve the topography, native flora, wildlife and ecosystems that currently thrive here.

 

These fragile ecosystems will be kept living in their raw form and never be developed. Being a very low density project, Mandarina has 640 acres and the amount of homes is only 120. Low density decreases footprint and increases privacy. With less surrounding neighbors, there is a more real communion with nature, while still having access to One & Only Mandarina.

 

In addition to this, great care was taken in protecting the magnificent trees and nature present throughout. Within the hotel portion of the development, there are no cars, only golf carts and bikes. Also, owners are only able to travel via cars upon arriving to their homes. Within the property, they will use golf carts or bikes. By implementing green transportation, this allowed us to make the roads narrower and preserve the lush tropical jungle.

 

We have set out to create a destination that is at once, respectful of the past and mindful of the future. Through careful, very low-density land planning, Mandarina will preserve the topography, native flora, wildlife and ecosystems that currently thrive here.

 

SURPRISING SUSTAINABILITY

5 Ways Mandarina’s Beauty is Balanced with an Eco-Conscience

 

1. The Delos Water Purification system cleans water of harmful contaminants and protects against microbes and aims to use less water with increased efficiency of the system.

2. By implementing green transportation, the roads were made smaller, meaning less destruction to the jungle landscape, because within the hotel portion of the development, there are no cars allowed. Only golf carts and bikes are used to reduce pollution from vehicle exhaust.

3. Their preservation efforts in environmentally sensitive areas such as the mangroves and estuary mean these fragile ecosystems will be kept living in their raw form and never be developed.

4. The materials selected for the homes are all sourced within Mexico, including stones for the retaining walls, tropical woods used for the homes and stucco walls using the sand to showcase the same earth tones of the area.

5. Because Mandarina is a low-density project, only 120 homes are planned to be built on the 640 acres of land available. This decreases the human footprint and increases privacy for each guest and aligns them to live more closely with nature to establish an appreciation for the natural world.

 

*Originally published in Iconic Life

Amazingly, none of Mexico’s ingenious Academy Award-winning directors won Oscar love Sunday (Alfonso Curarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo del Torro weren’t nominated this time).

 

But One&Only Mandarina, Mexico’s highly-anticipated luxury resort destination (another potential national treasure), did. Perched along a one-mile pristine beach in Riviera Nayarit (an hour north of Puerto Vallarta), Mandarina has gone Hollywood.

 

The exclusive residential resort community inked Academy Award-winning art director Brigitte Broch (the Hollywood directing trio’s accomplished Mexican colleague) to design a spectacular amenity straight out of make-believe movies—a 42,000-square-foot Kids’ Club fantasy jungle.

 

It’s a natural choice for an elevated property nestled amidst one of the last beachfront jungles in all of Mexico. One&Only Mandarina is touted as “the most significant new resort and residential community to grace the shores of Mexico in decades”—a protected natural world luring affluent international buyers and travelers. Real estate and resort facilities officially launch at this tropical, cliffside paradise in June 2020.

 

The 34-hectare landscape will be dotted with luxurious oceanfront hotels (104-room One&Only Mandarina, and Rosewood Mandarina) as well as exclusive branded residences and clifftop villas (One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, and Rosewood Residences).

 

Designed by architecture firm Studio Rick Joy, Mandarina Private Homes features 55 contemporary ocean view villas with tropical jungle surroundings—and a massive nearby lagoon. The private villas (four, five, six and eight bedrooms) range from 5,000 to 11,000 square feet.

 

Seamless outdoor areas (2,500 to 8,000 square feet) offer terraces, infinity pools and gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean coastline. Prices start at $4.95 million.

 

But serenity and intoxicating Mandarina Experiences will keep guests and investors coming back year after year, including the Majahua Beach Club, canopy tree-covered spa treatments, world-class polo and equestrian club (with dressage, jumping arenas and stables), and Broch’s imaginative KidsOnly club.

 

“What most intrigued me about being part of Mandarina KidsOnly club’s vision was the world of fantasy that could be created in an ancient tropical forest, especially within the spectacular setting of grand trees and unspoiled nature, where the jungle meets the sea.”

 

Fantasy is Broch’s specialty. In Hollywood, she’s known for creating mesmerizing sets in major films such as Romeo + Juliet (1996), Amores Perros (2000) and Moulin Rouge (2001), for which she won an Art Direction Oscar. This time, her canvas isn’t the big screen, it’s a jungle landscape where joyful children will play in a natural habitat.

 

“The Mandarina surroundings already seem to be a fantasy land— jungle, bays, history and amazing birds,” says Broch. “The KidsOnly club is an extension of that. I hope the kids will plunge into the wild freedom [that] the exterior KidsOnly club offers. I channeled my own inner child. I wanted to create an experience for guests that I never had when I was young.”

 

At luxury resorts, most kids clubs are structured, indoor, air-conditioned spaces. At Mandarina, kids are immersed into nature, encouraged to imagine and play in the open-air—on jungle tree houses, hanging bridges, slides, climbing walls and nature trails. “The way the tree houses are connected allows for children to enter into a Robinson Crusoe and pirate life fantasy world,” says Broch.

 

Here, a jungle nature hut will teach children about local animals and insects. They’ll also explore ancient archaeological petroglyphs from the indigenous Cora civilization. More traditional fun can still be had in the outdoor amphitheater, cinema, nursery, game room and indoor activity spaces.

 

Typically, fantasy is born in the minds of adventurous children. Mandarina’s KidsOnly club is inspired by the child in all of us. This includes kids’ intuitive fascination with tree climbing.

 

Influenced by Riviera Nayarit’s forest and its ancient trees, KidsOnly is the brainchild of Ricardo Santa Cruz, RLH Properties’ chief of business development at Mandarina, whose eureka moment came during his son’s 4th grade field trip to Mandarina—rather than a boardroom of suits. His chief KidsOnly consultants were Broch and 9-year-old tree-exploring experts.

 

“Upon arriving, the kids ran for the giant trees as opposed to the beach and surf,” says Santa Cruz. “They let their imaginations run wild, playing hide-and-seek amongst the trees and exploring the unspoiled nature around them. We sought Brigitte Broch’s expertise to bring all the components to life in a magical way with masterfully thought out spaces aimed to capture the imagination of children.”

 

Adults needn’t worry. Mandarina offers adult playgrounds too—the polo and equestrian club (with dressage and jumping arenas, and stables), horseback rides, zip lining, The Outpost jungle excursions, hiking trails, kayaking the Flatlands Estuary, The Farm cooking classes, and infinity pools galore (one that seemingly juts out over the ocean).

 

A new tropical paradise is born—Mandarina. This jungleland looks like some Eden Jumanji characters might drop into (a film Oscar ignored). But Oscar and kids will soon hover over Mandarina like Tarzan, courtesy of Broch’s KidsOnly club design.

 

In Mexico, the only thing more anticipated than Mandarina are Curarón’s, Iñárritu’s and del Torro’s next films. Talk about good investments.

 

*Originally posted on Forbes

Whether you want to vacation with three or four generations of your family, take care of your elderly parents or nurture a relationship among members of your extended family, you may want to consider having a home designed specifically for multiple generations to live together.

 

One of the essential elements to a successful melding of generations in one home, ironically, is creating space for everyone to be occasionally apart.

 

For Diane and Roger Feeley, retired grandparents, this meant hiring Michael Winn, founder of Winn Design + Build in Falls Church, Virginia, to design a separate house connected to their daughter and son-in-law’s home outside Washington, D.C. The motivation for the couple, both in their mid-60s, is to live close to their two grandsons, who are 2 and 4.

 

“I didn’t know any of my grandparents and I wanted my grandchildren to have the experience that I didn’t have,” she said.

 

Like many families, the Feeleys prize togetherness with their grandchildren but also appreciate their privacy. Their three-level house includes a porch that overlooks the swimming pool, a loft level home office and a 1,300-square-foot woodworking shop in the basement for Mr. Feeley.

 

“I watch the boys during the week, but most evenings and weekends we hardly see each other,” Mrs. Feeley said.

 

The Feeleys living situation is not so unique. Approximately 20% of Americans live in a household with three or more generations, according to the Pew Research Center.

 

Embracing Multiple Generations Takes Architectural Creativity

 

Just as each family is different, so are their design preferences.

 

“When we meet with buyers, they often fall in love with the site and tell us how many bedrooms they need, but we dig deeper to get to know them and understand their family dynamics,” said Ricardo Santa Cruz, chief business development officer for Mandarina, a resort with private residences north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. “For example, for a family with college students who want to bring their friends to visit, we can design the house so that the entertainment space is far from the grandparents’ and parents’ suites. But families with young children often want the kids’ rooms close to their parents but farther from the grandparents.”

 

One buyer built an eight-bedroom house with first-floor bedrooms for grandparents and two swimming pools— an infinity-edge pool for adults and a waist-deep pool for the children that was placed at the back of the house, Mr. Santa Cruz said.

 

“Some families want to entertain with everyone cooking and talking in the open kitchen, but others prefer a more closed-off kitchen for staff to cook while the family and friends gather in another space,” he said.

 

Other residences at Mandarina, where homes are marketed to international buyers, prices range from US$4.95 million to US$10 million, have been designed with a separate bungalow for grandparents or a suite with an elevator for accessibility.

 

“In every case, we build outdoor space around the house and work around the trees and topography of the land,” Mr. Santa Cruz said. “We create small destination points with private terraces facing the ocean, the jungle or the trees where people can walk a short distance from the house to escape into their own nook.”

 

Sometimes, a multigenerational home is designed for caretaking rather than relaxation. In the Chicago area, Fred Wilson, a founding partner with Morgante-Wilson Architects in Evanston, Illinois, designed a US$1.5 million renovation on a home that had been in one family for generations.

 

“We created a suite for the owner’s mother on the first floor that includes a big open bedroom and living area with French doors to a private terrace,” Mr. Wilson said. “She can walk down the hall to be with the rest of the family in the kitchen and family room whenever she wants.”

 

Meanwhile, several multigenerational homes have been built on Crane Island, a custom home community adjacent to Amelia Island in Florida. One recently retired couple built a US$1.5 million property to accommodate three children and their partners as well as extended visits from the wife’s parents from Poland, said John Hillman, vice president of sales and marketing at Crane Island.

 

“That house includes double-front porches and a screened porch in the back so there’s plenty of space to be outside in separate areas if they want privacy,” he said.

 

The family also built an apartment with a separate staircase above the garage with a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom so that the visiting parents have complete privacy when they want it, he said.

 

Another property on Crane Island, a US$3 million custom home, includes a garage apartment connected by an air-conditioned breezeway to the main house designed for the owner’s father, who is in his 90s. A third multigenerational property on the island has two wings to the house with a common entrance, so that the daughter and her family are on one side of the house and her father lives on the opposite side, Mr. Hillman said.

 

As for the Feeleys, they planned to build a separate house on their daughter’s property but were prevented by zoning issues, Mr. Winn said.

 

“The breezeway that connects the houses was built so they could be considered attached, but it’s practical, too, so the families can go back and forth under protection in inclement weather,” Mr. Winn said. “Otherwise, it’s a completely autonomous structure with almost 1,000 square feet on the main level that includes their living and dining area, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and bathroom.”

 

Designing for the Future

 

While most families who build or remodel a home to accommodate multiple generations plan to live in it for many years, that doesn’t mean many homeowners want visible aging-in-place features. Adding a first-floor bedroom and reducing the need to climb stairs are among the many elements that can make it easier for elderly people to stay in their home rather than move to senior housing.

 

“It’s important to design spaces, especially the bathroom, that avoid that nursing home look, even if you need to include a bathtub with a door and a no-threshold shower,” Mr. Wilson said.

 

The Feeleys’ home has aging-in-place features such as lever door handles, wide doorways, a front-loading washer-and-dryer and a walk-in shower with slip-resistant flooring and a seat, Mr. Winn said.

 

“We designed the space around a spiral staircase to the upper and lower levels so an elevator can easily be added in the future if they want one,” Mr. Winn said. A basic residential elevator costs about US$35,000 to install if the space is already configured for one, he said.

 

Since the Feeleys’ daughter’s home is an 1860s farmhouse, Mr. Winn was careful to design the new home to complement the historic home and to work as a pool house or future guest house if the family ever sells the property.

 

“If you design a multigenerational house appropriately and not as if it’s an afterthought, the additional space is an asset for resale value,” Mr. Wilson said. “The space can be repurposed for guests, for an au pair, for an office or just another hangout space in your home.”

 

Legal, Financial and Psychological Preparation

 

Every adult member of the multigenerational household should be part of deep discussions well before an architect is hired, Mr. Winn said, to clarify who will finance and own the property and who will make the design decisions. The Feeleys spent about US$600,000 to US$700,000 to build their house on their daughter’s land.

 

“We had numerous conversations with our attorney and financial planner about how to address every financial and legal issue with building on our daughter’s property,” Mr. Feeley said. “The gift tax would have been crazy if we gave them the money to build the house. Instead, we’re the mortgage holders and our daughter and son-in-law have an interest-free loan with us that we forgive each year since they’re going to inherit our money one day anyway. We also have paperwork in place that’s essentially an escape clause that dials down any potential apprehension about the future.”

 

The agreement spells out what will happen if the Feeleys or their daughter want to move and sell.

 

“My biggest recommendation is to do a trial run before you move in together,” Mrs. Feeley said. “We visited a few times for four-to-six weeks to see if we were going to get on each other’s nerves.”

 

In addition, the Feeleys and their daughter planned upfront how they would split costs such as property taxes and utility bills, which Mrs. Feeley said is important for family harmony.

 

Designing From the Ground Up

 

Creating a comprehensive checklist of why you’re buying or remodeling a home and including a list of all the habits and ways each family member will use the space makes it easier for an architect to develop a design that meets your priorities, said Mr. Santa Cruz. A custom architect should be willing to come up with creative solutions for your property that works now and in the future.

 

“You’re only as happy as the least happy member of your family when you’re living or vacationing together,” said Mr. Santa Cruz. “You want to design the home so that every generation’s needs are met. You want the kids to be able to play even while grandpa is taking a nap and mom is working.”

 

*Originally posted on Mansion Global

From a stunning beach resort built on stilts in a Mangrove forest in Mexico, to a contemporary tower in Tokyo, I have assembled a long list of highly anticipated hotel openings for 2020 around the world. This year I have listed all new properties and residences by hotel brand so that luxury travelers can visit their favorites.

 

Also included is the exclusive selection of the top 12 luxury hotel brands for 2019 according to LTI-Luxury Travel Intelligence.

 

AMAN

 

Cabo San Lucas

 

Located in Baja’s East Cape, and neighbor to the new Costa Palmas Four Seasons Resort, Amanvari, will feature a resort, private Aman Residences, multiple dining venues, Aman Spa, and its own stretch of white sand beach. Nestled in a delicate ecosystem of mangroves, Amanvari will be an eco island with overwater stilted units.

 

New York

 

Aman unveils a new urban sanctuary in the heart of Manhattan. The Aman New York brings the serenity of Aman to bustling city. Within the Crown Building, 83 rooms and suites and Aman’s first urban Residences will offer a unique twist for Aman junkies worldwide.

 

ANANTARA

 

UAE / Ras Al Khaimah

 

Ras Al Khaimah is in the northernmost emirate of the UAE, located 45 minutes from Dubai and will feature the new Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort offering overwater luxury villas on the Arabian Gulf in an eco-sanctuary.

 

Part of the new Mina Al Arab luxury development, a beachfront playground with a marina, waterfront cafes and boutiques, the resort offers 300 guest rooms, suites and villas in Maldivian resort style.

 

Morocco / Tangier

 

Al Houara is a luxury beachfront development just south of Tangier on Morocco’s Atlantic Ocean coast. 150 rooms, suites and villas overlook the ocean and a Graham Marsh-designed golf course.

 

AUBERGE

 

Austin

 

Secluded within 10 acres on Waller Creek, the Commodore Perry Estate comprises a 10,800-square-foot home, a chapel and gardens enclosed within a walled compound in the style of a historic country estate. This elegant new social hub is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Hawaii

 

The all new Mauna Lani resort is situated on sacred land on the Kona Coast. It is marked by royal fish ponds, natural lava plains, lush tropical gardens and alluring beaches, and will boast contemporary rooms and suites, five private bungalows, five restaurants and lounges, three pools, a signature spa and wellness haven.

 

Nicaragua

 

Following the devastating effects of political unrest in the country, one of my favorite hotels in the world will be making a comeback. The Mukul Resort, surrounded by jungle on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, is a stunning property and Auberge is hoping to open it late 2020 but could face a further delay pending Nicaragua’s political situation.

 

The brainchild of rum billionaire Carlos Pellas, the 23 hillside suites, and the 12 Beach Villas at Mukul were built to pay tribute to the tropical, rolling surf of Playa Manzanillo. Wealthy travelers are offered a stay in Casona Don Carlos, the Pellas family’s private beach residence. Located adjacent to the Beach Villas, the oceanfront compound features a 20,000 square-foot indoor-outdoor living area with soaring 80-foot-high palapa ceilings, four bedroom suites, a wrap-around stone terrace and a large private swimming pool.

 

FAIRMONT

 

Los Angeles

 

The famous, crescent shaped hotel has hosted generations of Hollywood celebrities, foreign dignitaries and every United States President since its opening in 1966. Located in the heart of Century City in Los Angeles it is undergoing a complete restoration and is slated to re-open as Fairmont Century Plaza. The mixed-use redevelopment project includes approximately 394 guestrooms and 63 branded residences within the original building, along with two new 46-story luxury residential towers with 290 luxury residences and approximately 100,000 square feet of boutique high-street shopping and expanded parking facilities.

 

Morocco

 

Fairmont Taghazout Bay will feature 155 spacious guestrooms, with sea facing views, in addition to 52 Fairmont branded villas, to be released for sale later this year, which will be the first luxury waterfront villas ever in Morocco. The resort will boast over 27,000 square feet of meeting space and a Fairmont spa with fitness facilities. A range of culinary offerings will include an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, specialty restaurant and beach pool bar and grill.

 

FOUR SEASONS

 

Tokyo

 

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is where the business district and the gardens of the Imperial Palace meet. On floors 34 to 39 of Tokyo’s leading commercial tower, the ultramodern, spacious guest rooms and suites will capture the area’s energy and sophistication, while amenities including a sky-high terrace and four global restaurants round out the urban experience.

 

Napa Valley

 

Set among the verdant hills of Napa Valley, with a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard and on-site winery, this resort will be the perfect retreat for wine lovers. The resort will feature a farmhouse chic style in their 85 villas, all with a fireplace and private terrace.

 

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

 

Vietnam / Ho Chi Minh City

 

Mandarin launches this new hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. The Mandarin Oriental Saigon hotel will be situated on the upper floors of this mixed-use complex, and will comprise 227 guestrooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, a range of meeting spaces, a fitness center, a Spa at Mandarin Oriental and an outdoor swimming pool.

 

NOBU HOTELS

 

Chicago

 

Stunning architecture and 115 rooms and suites will blend old-world Japanese influences with ultra-modern design. A state-of-the-art fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool will be featured. The Rooftop at Nobu Hotel Chicago, complete with an indoor lounge and outdoor terrace will also be a highlight.

 

London

 

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square will feature 249 guest rooms and suites, together with a Nobu restaurant, ballroom and meeting spaces in the heart of London’s West End, steps away from boutiques, and next to the shopping district of Oxford Street and Regent Street.

 

Tel Aviv

 

The new Nobu Hotel Tel Aviv will offer 38 beautifully designed rooms, a large garden, fitness center, pool, outdoor spaces and a private rooftop retreat.

 

Warsaw

 

Nobu Hotel Warsaw will be located in the heart of the historic city. With 117-rooms, expansive meeting and event spaces, fitness center and signature Nobu Restaurant, it will be an integrated mix of luxurious hotel and comforting living space.

 

ONE & ONLY

 

Rwanda

 

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest will be home to 14 rooms and 7 suites, with every space designed to frame nature, encircled by trees for ultimate privacy, with breathtaking views of Pyrethrum farmland, lush shambas and Eucalpytus forest. All located in the foothills of the Virunga Volcano Range.

 

Malaysia

 

One&Only Desaru Coast will be a collection of suites and private homes. From king suites with interconnecting rooms to the stunning 4-bedroom villa. All guests have a suite with a plunge pool. The resort features secluded retreats between lush rainforest and powder white sands, bordered by the South China Sea.

 

Montenegro

 

With 140 rooms and villas, private residences and marina, the new One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro will be the brands first resort in Europe. Stunning balcony views are the highlight with a large waterfront pool that stretches into the Adriatic coastline.

 

Mexico

 

Located in one of the last remaining beachfront jungles in Mexico, the One&Only Mandarina will offer an exclusive collection of 53 One&Only Private Homes as well as Clifftop Villas and ocean treehouses with private butlers.

 

RITZ CARLTON

 

China / Nanjing

 

Positioned along the Yangtze delta, Nanjing embraces an ancient city and a metropolis. Centered at the Xinjiekou CBD, The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing features a grand hotel that includes 295 guest rooms, 32 luxury suites and elegant event spaces. Local cuisine is celebrated at the signature restaurant, one of five dining options, and wellness treatments are heavily focused with an indoor pool, gym and The Ritz-Carlton Spa.

 

Morocco / Rabat

 

The beauty of the Moroccan landscape and culture is at the center of The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar es Salam. With 440 acres of oak forest and the famed golf course at Royal Golf Dar es Salam the resort will feature five restaurants and lounges with a spa featuring ancient rituals including a signature hammam.

 

Morocco / Tamuda Bay

 

Ten miles from the Moroccan city of Tetouan, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Tamuda Bay, offers an upscale enclave that embraces indigenous design and natural beauty. Set along the sea, the resort features luxury amenities including a beach club, 18-hole golf course and upscale accommodations.

 

Mexico City

 

Rising 58 stories in the heart of the financial center, The Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City adds a unique new structure to the city’s skyline. Located on floors 36 to 47, the hotel offers sweeping views of Chapultepec Park from each of its 153 accommodations and its private residences. Luxury amenities include a Club Lounge, a Mediterranean-inspired bar and restaurant, a spa, pool, and fitness center.

 

ROSEWOOD

 

São Paulo

 

Rosewood São Paulo will be located in an historic 1904 building that was formerly a maternity hospital in the center of Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of elegant, preserved buildings that were built in the early 20^th century.

 

The hotel will feature 151 guestrooms and 122 owners’ suites, which will be situated within a vertical park created by Nouvel. Two restaurants, including one located on a veranda overlooking the lush hotel gardens, will be complemented by a bar and a caviar lounge. Two swimming pools (one rooftop pool), and a large spa with six treatment rooms and fitness area. Hotel guests will also be able to access an adjoining music studio, a screening room and high-end retail stores within the development.

 

SIX SENSES

 

New York

 

This will be the first North American property for Six Senses. The Six Senses New York will feature two unique, twisting towers designed by architect Bjarke Ingels located between Manhattan’s Hudson River and The High Line. Two restaurants will showcase the brand’s popular culinary approach to wellness, and the Six Senses Spa will introduce a new direction of wellness treatments.

 

India, Rajasthan

 

Historic Rajasthan is the setting for the 14th century fort that has been converted to become Six Senses Fort Barwara, a three-hour drive from Jaipur. Originally owned by the Rajasthani Royal Family, it sits directly opposite the temple, Chauth ka Barwara Mandir. Featuring 48 suites and incorporating a palace with two temples within the walled site. Two restaurants serve classic dishes and modern cuisine together with a bar and lounge. A 30,000 square foot Six Senses Spa and fitness center is located in the original women’s palace and will feature an extensive Ayurveda program, meditation and Six Senses Integrated Wellness programs. There are two swimming pools, banquet areas, retail boutique and kid’s club.

 

Bhutan / Bumthang

 

Six Senses Bumthang sits in the spiritual heart of Bhutan. The retreat offers eight spacious 985 sf suites, and one expansive two-bedroom villa. It joins the brands other existing properties in Bhutan.

 

Israel / Shaharut

 

Six Senses Shaharut is located south of the Negev Desert in the Arava Valley and features 58 suites and villas with one Retreat Villa. Designed to integrate into the desert terrain, the villas are built from, and inspired by, local rock and pigments. The Six Senses Spa Shaharut includes single and double treatment rooms plus male and female steam, sauna and hammams. On-site attractions include the Earth Lab, camel stables and an open-air amphitheater. Many optional activities include overnight camel camping to extreme sports, hiking, jeep safaris and wine tours.

 

ST. REGIS

 

Morocco / Tamuda Bay

 

This new beach hotel will include 100 guestrooms and suites that offer unobstructed sea views. The resort will offer a specialty restaurant, an all-day dining restaurant and a St. Regis Bar inspired by the brand’s original King Cole Bar in New York. Amenities at The St. Regis Tamuda Bay will include a spa, pool and fitness center.

 

WALDORF ASTORIA

 

Bali

 

From a prime cliff-front location, the Waldorf Astoria Bali offers dramatic panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Guests have a choice of 96 luxurious villas set on the sprawling estate, ranging from one-bedroom villas to six-bedroom suite villas.

 

Waldorf Astoria Bali will include two specialty restaurants and a destination bar. A stunning outdoor sea-facing pool with a beach club, a large private beach as well as a health club and spa will be available to guests.

 

W HOTELS

 

Bali / Ubud

 

W Bali Ubud will offer 100 locally inspired guestrooms, including 10 villas with private swimming pools and an unusual dramatic Extreme WOW suite (the brand’s unique version of the traditional Presidential Suite).

 

Melbourne

 

Located on Collins Street in the middle of Melbourne’s shopping district, W Melbourne will encompass 294 rooms and suites, including an Extreme Wow Suite.

 

Portugal / Algarve

 

The W Residences will share the W Algarve setting, but offer additional privacy. There are 95 Residences, comprising one to three bedroom apartments, including duplexes and one four bedroom penthouse. Some apartments have a private pool others have sea and garden views.

 

THE REST

 

Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle / France

 

Set within the perimeter of the Palace grounds, Le Grand Contrôle will be the only hotel of its kind in the world; offering exclusive access and experiences at Chateau de Versailles to staying guests. The 14-bedroom luxury hotel will feature an 18th century style, with architect and interior designer Christophe Tollemer in charge of its design. As well as a private spa guests will also be able to indulge in a first class restaurant, led by Alain Ducasse who has been a partner in the exciting project from the very beginning.

 

Xigera Safari Lodge / Botswana

 

This new safari lodge set in the heart of the Okavango Delta on the aptly named Paradise Island. Opening in June 2020, it is surrounded by deep channels and lush vegetation within a remote area of the productive Moremi Game Reserve.

 

With just 12 suites showcasing southern African artisans, Xigera has been designed to protect its environment; it is 100% solar powered, with a dedicated focus on sustainability and eliminating single use plastics. Every spacious suite will be fully air conditioned.

 

Arctic Bath Sweden

 

This hotel and cold bath was inspired by the timber floating era as reminder of the importance of forests for the entire country’s development. The main building is inspired by a jam of floating timber in the river. The floating open air cold bath is located downstream from the bridges of Bodtraskfors. Arctic Bath has a circular shape which creates a protected environment. The center of the bath is perfect for both sunbathing and winter bathing, a cold bath under the northern sky. Arctic Bath hotel has 12 private cabins, a spa, cold bath, hot bath, different saunas, spa treatment room, lounge, shop, bar and a restaurant. There are also 6 floating hotel cabins (double rooms) floating downstream from the hotel with private access from the shore via foot-bridges. And 6 cabins on land, 3 suites and 3 cabins sleeping 1-5 people.

 

The Legian Sire / Lombok

 

Nestled on Lombok’s most pristine beach and only a 40-minute flight from Bali, the Legian Sire, Lombok is a boutique suite and villa resort with stunning views of the famous Gili Islands. All suites offer 1,200-square-feet overlooking the ocean, and the resort features 55 and 75 foot infinity pools. The Club by The Legian Sire offers personalized butler service with unique pool villas, eight beachfront villas, and a beach house with direct access to the white beach.

 

Bvlgari Paris

 

The Bvlgari Hotel will be located at 30 Avenue George V, between the Champs Elysees and the Avenue Montaigne. Offering 76 rooms, most of them suites, and a full range of luxury facilities including a spa with a pool and a Bvlgari restaurant and bar opening to a courtyard garden.

 

Ambiente Sedona

 

Ambiente will be the first landscape hotel in North America and comprised of 40 cubed-shaped guest ‘Atriums’ that are elevated above the ground by steel piers and constructed using floor-to-ceiling, bronze-tinted glass, matte-charcoal, and rusted metal. At dusk, the tinted glass reflects the nature around it, creating mirrored silhouettes.

 

THE BEST BRANDS OF 2019

 

And breaking news this week as LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence, a global members only organization, reveals the world’s best luxury hotel brands for 2019 in their second annual report. Their assessment measures the performance and values of luxury hotel brands through a rigorous algorithm process.

 

The process encompasses 123 touch points relevant to the luxury hotel sector including overall brand performance, rather than the performance of individual properties. It’s all about a brand’s ability to deliver: its passion, commitment, ethos and values, as well as the quality of its management and staff.

 

Here are the top 12 luxury hotel brands for 2019 according to LTI-Luxury Travel Intelligence. The number in brackets is the ranking from 2018.

 

1. Belmond 83.1% (4)
2. Mandarin Oriental 81.4% (5)
3. Four Seasons 79.4% (7)
4. Aman 78.9% (1)
5. Oetker Collection 78.6% (2)
6. Auberge 76.8% (6)
7. Rosewood 76.1% (11)
8. Six Senses 74.3% (3)
9. St. Regis 73.1% (10)
10. COMO 71.4% (-)
11. One&Only 69.3% (9)
12. Anantara 67.1% (-)

 

Michael Crompton, Founder of LTI, says, “No other organization connects with the global luxury hotel industry as LTI does. We are out there 365 days a year, with our researchers engaging with everyone from CEO’s of the brands we have rated to hundreds of management, staff and guests. Primarily, this is all part of the process for creating our destination led reports for our members (affluent discerning travelers) but it also allows us to utilize our findings to create this unique report. Every year the process starts again – the results from previous years have no bearing on the following year. This will no doubt lead to some volatility in each year’s results (such as this year), but this is a dynamic sector and we want to reflect what is really happening out there.”

 

*Originally posted on Forbes

As a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, Mark Melancon doesn’t spend much time in the outfield. On a recent Sunday, he made an exception.

 

The stands at San Francisco’s Oracle Park were empty, the hot dog carts were closed and the jumbotron was dark. But Mr. Melancon wasn’t there to play. Rather, he was completing a plan for his Mexican dream home, a 19,000-square-foot villa in a new development in Riviera Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta.

 

A team from the project, including developer Ricardo Santa Cruz, had flown to California to re-create the floor plan for the mansion on the outfield using stakes and rope. The idea: Mr. Melancon would be able to walk through the near-finalized design at its actual scale to see if there was anything he or his wife Mary Catherine wanted to change. Mr. Santa Cruz’s team spent three hours measuring out the dimensions of the space, inserting green metal stakes into the outfield grass and dragging around long yellow ropes to mark the outlines of the rooms.

 

“Imagine you’re about 120 feet up in the air with the ocean below,” the developer said as he stood in what would be the home’s enormous 22-foot-by- 43-foot living room. He pointed out past the left field bleachers to the Coca-Cola fan lot, where a giant Coke bottle with playground slides lights up with every Giants home run. Looking out from the home in that direction, the Melancons would see the Pacific Ocean.

 

Mr. Melancon, who owns a smaller home nearby, vacations frequently in Mexico with his family but found himself too busy preparing for the season to fly back and forth to sign off on the small details of the architectural plans. So, the project came to him—twice. The first time they mapped out the floor plan on the field last fall, he and his wife made changes to the main pool, which they realized was too narrow, and they redesigned the kitchen to make it more closed off from the other living areas.

 

The house, designed by Arizona architect Rick Joy, will be finished in 2020. It will have eight bedrooms, a gym, a casino and game room, two hot tubs and two pools, one for playing with the children and an infinity pool that appears to hang off the edge of the bluff.

 

“It is different to see it on paper than to actually walk it. When you can physically walk through rooms, it gives you a much better idea of the size,” said Mr. Santa Cruz, who is a partner of developer RLH Properties on the project.

 

The process, known as staking, famously made it onto the silver screen in the 2009 film “It’s Complicated,” starring Meryl Streep and Steve Martin as the architect she hires to design an extension to her house. Mr., Martin’s character stakes out the footprint for the addition in the yard and then takes her up on a ladder to show her the view from her new bedroom window. Mr. Santa Cruz said it is relatively uncommon to stake out projects, especially off-site. “I’ve rarely seen it done,” he said.

 

Messrs. Melancon and Santa Cruz needed a massive space. They originally discussed mapping out the floor plan in a nearby parking lot, but they worried they wouldn’t be able to keep cars out for long enough to complete their discussions. To everyone’s delight, Mr. Melancon suggested the baseball field. The Giants allowed them access to the field at no cost. Mr. Santa Cruz didn’t charge to come do the staking.

 

It took months to find a time when the field wasn’t in use—when not being used for games, it is often leased out for private events or commandeered by the grounds crew. During the initial walk-through, members of the grounds crew looked on with curiosity.

 

“They weren’t nosy but they’d come up and say ‘Wow, is that whole thing his house?” Mr. Santa Cruz recalled. “That is one big house.”

 

It feels large to Mr. Melancon too. “It seems huge right now,” he laughed, staring out at the field.

 

A three-time All-Star, Mr. Melancon, 34, has been pitching for the Giants since 2017; he signed a four-year $62 million contract. He was called up to the majors by the New York Yankees in 2009 and has also played for the Washington Nationals, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox, among others.

 

His house is one of about 120 being built on 640 acres in the Mexican jungle as part of a project called Mandarina. Mr. Santa Cruz spent years negotiating to buy the land. The sough-after site was an Ejido, a land cooperative owned jointly by more than 58 families who all had to agree to the sale. He declined to disclose what he paid for it. The site encompasses a one-mile long stretch of beach and mountains.

 

The houses range in price from about $4.5 million to $12 million, Mr. Santa Cruz said. Buyers purchase only the footprint of their houses, since the developers want to continue to control the landscape surrounding the properties. Mr. Santa Cruz said 14 of the homes are already sold.

 

Mandarina will be anchored by a beach resort operated by hotel brand One&Only. Mr. Melancon said his wife, who helps run the family’s synthetic turf business and operates some rental properties they own, had fallen in love with One&Only on a family trip to the Bahamas as a child. When she had the couple’s bucket list made out in calligraphy as a wedding gift for him, she included a stay at one of their hotels. Owning a home in one of their resorts was even better, he said.

 

For their three children, the resort will also have a BMX mountain biking track, a polo and equestrian center, a kid’s farm, kayaking, surfing and bird-watching. Once Mr. Melancon retires, he and his wife plan to spend several months there each year, he said.

 

They were among the first people to visit the site after it was sold and had their pick of parcels, climbing over jungle trees that had been razed to make way for the homes. They chose one on a private bluff overlooking the ocean, paying around $9 million for the completed home.

 

An inner courtyard is 60 feet and 6 inches, the exact distance between the pitching mound and home plate.

 

“We were like, ‘Mark, if you need to practice, you’ll have the exact same setup,’” Mr. Santa Cruz joked.

 

*Originally posted on The Wall Street Journal