From a yacht anchored offshore, I can barely make out the structures hidden in the dense jungle. The dramatic volcanic rocks rising out of the water are topped with what appears to be just a canopy of trees. As I squint I begin to notice contemporary villas nestled into the lush hillside above the beach. These are the beginning of One&Only Mandarina Private Homes in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Concealed within the jungle is not just the villas but also boundless life-enriching amenities.

 

Although they are still being constructed, awaiting buyers’ preferences for 2020 completion, each of the 55 four-to-eight-bedroom villas that comprise One&Only’s first residential property has a unique footprint based on its location in the terrain. With more space per lot than any other development in Mexico, the natural biodiversity thrives and provides tranquil and comforting privacy.

 

The homes seamlessly blend into the jungle with stone accents (think bathroom counters cut from single slabs of marble), earth-toned walls, outdoor soaking tubs, light-filled living rooms made for entertaining, and infinity pools that drop off to the jungle. The contemporary structures, designed by Rick Joy Architects, and the landscape transport you to South East Asia (although you’re only 30 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport). Open floor plans contribute to an airy atmosphere, allowing you to feel one with the natural surroundings. You look out the glass walls to tropical plants and vast ocean and hear nothing but the sound of the waves. The ambiance is unparalleled, but it’s the amenities that really make it.

 

It’s a place where the sun rises over misty horse pastures and you can watch the sunset from the fire pit at the end of the jetty, cocktail in hand. The hours in between can be spent at the Majahua Beach Club, paddle boarding down the winding estuary that runs through the property and enjoying a poolside dinner prepared by a renowned, Michelin-starred chef. Plus, all of the amenities of the adjacent 108-room One&Only Mandarina resort are available to homeowners, from turndown service to access to the nature-inspired spa. For the adventurous ones, the property encompasses extensive hiking, biking, and riding trails, as well as a climbing wall and zipline. Here, boredom is unlikely, and that’s a lot to say for a secluded beach community.

 

The property also has a Kid’s Club you would feel proud to send your children to. The club’s designer won an Oscar for her set design of Moulin Rouge, so it looks straight out of a movie. Complete with a butterfly sanctuary, treehouses, ancient petroglyphs found on the land, and Juan’s House—a fictional character’s hut where kids can learn about the insects that inhabit the land—the club allows children to immerse themselves in the jungle. And that’s not even all of it: Mandarina also has a farm where they can get acquainted with animals.

 

But the animals aren’t just for the kids…If you had to choose between petting horses and avoiding getting hit by a golf ball, which would you choose? It’s a no brainer if you ask me, or Mandarina Chief Business Development Officer Ricardo Santa Cruz. Over dinner in nearby Punta Mita, Ricardo explained that he intentionally did not build a golf course and instead included an equestrian center, based on the connection humans have with horses and the time-consuming and excluding nature of golf. Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club offers stables, polo fields, and jumping and dressage arenas. Plus, it’s the sister club to Aspen Valley Polo Club, so members enjoy the same rights.

 

Just a 15-minute drive away, the beach town of San Pancho offers an authentic Mexican experience worth leaving Mandarina for. The town is colorful and as beautiful as it is slow-paced and relaxed. Cobblestone streets are lined with pastel buildings draped in bougainvillea and tiny shops. Restaurants like Organi-k (for hearty acai bowls and poke) and Barracuda (for amazing ceviche and tacos) are not to be missed.

 

Jungle isn’t what you typically think of when you think of Mexico, but its part of what makes Mandarina unique. The flourishing landscape draws you in and the sleek architecture and endless amenities of One&Only Mandarina make you want to stay. It’s not often you go somewhere that is not just beautiful and luxurious but also undeniably special; it is a place anyone would be lucky to call home.

About an hour north of Puerto Vallarta lies land shaped by a long-dormant volcano, creating a stunning landscape boasting cliffs, a tropical beachfront jungle, sandy beaches, natural estuary and flatlands. Taking up residence amid this natural beauty is the new One&Only Mandarina resort and residential development. “Mandarina’s positioning along the mountainous coast of Riviera Nayarit is a location unlike any other in Mexico,” says Ricardo Santa Cruz, partner at Mandarina, which is being developed by RLH Properties. At the center of it all is one of the world’s first collections of One&Only Private Homes—55 contemporary-designed villas offering four-, five- and eight-bedroom floor plans ranging from 7,500 square feet to 13,500 square feet, with prices from $4.65 million to $10.5 million. Set to debut in early 2020, owners will also have exclusive access to the One&Only Mandarina Resort, which features a collection of 108 luxury suites, world-class cuisine, beach clubs, wellness, and a Polo & Equestrian Club.

 

*Originally posted on DIGS

San Franciscans looking for an exotic second home to escape the fog should look no further than the upcoming resort Mandarina. Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the Riviera Nayarit, the hottest new destination south of the border, Mandarina will be home to two luxury hotels and a polo and equestrian club. The One&Only and Rosewood are opening hotels—and, more importantly, branded residences.

 

One&Only Private Homes are the brand’s first collection of residences. Designed by architect Rick Joy (who is known for his work on Utah’s Amangiri), none of the 55 villas are precisely alike. Each home is architecturally unique and made to fit into the surrounding jungle while capturing the most favorable ocean views.

 

Villas range in size from 7,500 to 13,500 square-feet with four-, five-, and eight-bedroom floor plans. All of the 55 residences feature as much indoor into outdoor living space as possible. The $4-to-$12 million houses also boast infinity pools, garden areas, and large terraces.

 

The One&Only Private Homes will open in conjunction with the 108-room One&Only Mandarina next fall. Homeowners will have access to the hotel’s amenities including the full-service concierge, spa, an oceanfront swimming area and harbor, multiple beach clubs and restaurants, various lookout points and swimming pools, a system of trails, and an estuary. Plus use of the Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club, a world-class destination that will host international sporting events on its two tournament size polo fields.

 

To get to Mandarina, it’s a short three-and-a-half hour flight from SFO to Puerto Vallarta. From there, it’s less than an hour to the resort, which is 15-minutes north of Sayulita. It’s a relatively seamless trip. Leave in the morning, and you’ll be poolside with a margarita in hand by lunch.

 

*Originally posted on Haute Living

It’s about to change again, with the imminent debut of the ultra-luxe Mandarina development, which will cover 640 acres and have its own 1-mile beach. The land and seascape — located about 25 minutes north of Sayulita — is reminiscent of Hawaii, particularly Kauai.

 

A new toll road, slated to open in 2021, will link Mandarina to Puerto Vallarta International Airport, cutting travel time from one hour to about 30 minutes.)

 

“Mandarina will be the lowest density ultra-luxury property in Mexico,” said Kappner Clark, chief marketing officer for RLH Properties, a developer of Mandarina.

 

In addition to branded private residence villas, which will all feature ocean views, Mandarina will also have two resorts: One&Only Mandarina and Rosewood Mandarina.

 

“One&Only Mandarina will be located on the hillside, while Rosewood Mandarina will give guests a beach option,” said J.P. Mahony, director of sales for One&Only Mandarina.

 

The 108-room One&Only Mandarina will debut at the beginning of 2020 and feature a beach club with infinity-edge pools, beachside terraces and private massage cabanas. A jetty — which will provide mooring for yachts — will create gentle surf conditions, allowing for a beach area ideal for families with small children. On-site dining venues will include The Plateau, which will offer dining for the whole family, and adults-only The Point. Both venues will feature sea and jungle views.

 

Rosewood Mandarina will open in 2021 with some 130 rooms, as well as 65 residences. The resort will have a beach club; Sense, A Rosewood Spa and several restaurants.

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz, Mandarina Chief Business Development Officer, relayed how Sol Kerzner — founder and CEO of Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based Kerzner International, a company that operates One&Only Resorts — reacted when he first visited the site for Mandarina.

 

“He stood up after an hour and said he had seen enough,” Santa Cruz said. “I thought that meant he wasn’t interested; instead, it was the opposite. Kerzner said, ‘I have clients who travel 24 hours to experience something like this. It reminds me of Southeast Asia.’”

 

Clark notes that family amenities are important to Mandarina’s market, especially considering the rise of multigenerational travel. To satisfy family clients, Mandarina will offer a kids’ club with its own butterfly sanctuary, resident storyteller and tree houses. On-site The Outpost will feature a zipline; a rappel course; a climbing wall; sports fields and courts; hiking, cycling and horseback-riding trails; an arcade; and a movie theater.

 

“What makes the difference will be the experiences at Mandarina,” Santa Cruz said.

 

And there’s no lack of activities. Additional features will include a farm and farm-to-table restaurant, a beach club and an estuary. Polo players and fans will appreciate Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club, which will have two tournament-size polo fields, jumping and dressage arenas, a clubhouse and lounge, a pro shop and more.

 

“Polo instead of golf may have seemed like an odd choice, but it has been embraced by buyers,” Santa Cruz said.

 

Great care is being taken with Mandarina’s natural environment, as well. During my tour of the property, we drove around extant trees in the middle of the road, which was widened to accommodate them. This holistic vision is also evident in how the villas blend into their surroundings; exterior and interior paint colors of the villas are carefully matched to the soil. This attention to detail throughout the development contributes to an overall eco-conscious ambiance.

 

*Originally posted on TravelAgeWest

A little over a week ago, SF Giants pitcher Mark Melancon got some rather unusual help visualizing how his new dream home will look like.

 

He set up a meeting with developer Ricardo Santa Cruz and his team — which flew in from Mexico, where they’re busy building his 19,000-square-foot tropical paradise — to consult with the baseball player on plans for his new home.

 

But since Mark Melancon wanted to get a better grasp of the breakdown of the space, he turned to a rather unusual visual aid: he took developer Ricardo Santa Cruz to Oracle Park, where together they re-created the floor plans for the mansion on the outfield using stakes and rope. And they seemed to have had a great time doing it too, with Santa Cruz seemingly giving Mark Melancon a tour of his soon-to-be home. See below for some pictures of the two during their design field trip (pun intended) to Oracle Park, courtesy of The Agency.

 

Mark Melancon’s House at One&Only Mandarina

 

The pro baseball pitcher purchased a soon-to-be-built 19,000-square-foot villa at One&Only Mandarina, set within the upscale Mandarina resort in Mexico.

 

The house, designed by Rick Joy, will be completed in 2020. Perched on a private bluff overlooking the ocean, Mark Melancon’s house will feature 8 bedrooms, a gym, a casino and game room, two hot tubs and two pools (one meant the little ones) and an infinity pool that appears to hang off the edge of the bluff.

 

Part of the upscale Mandarina resort

 

Since the SF Giants pitcher bought one of the 55 ultra private villas at One&Only Mandarina, that places his future home right in the heart of the (rather exclusive) Mandarina resort, touted as “the most significant new resort and residential community to grace the shores of Mexico in decades”.

 

Set about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Mandarina runs along the pristine Riviera Nayarit, home of some of the country’s most exclusive resorts, with a nearly 200-mile stretch of coastline in the Western Mexican State of Nayarit, between the forested mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Pacific Ocean.

 

Basically, in addition to the resort amenities of One&Only Mandarina, Mark Melancon gets access to the amenities of the entire Mandarina community, stretching from the tropical Riviera Nayarit jungle to the stunning water edges. Not to mention that, nestled between the mountain peaks of Mandarina lie the Flatlands, a sprawling green landscape that features some of the most outstanding amenities in the community: an equestrian club, beach club, estuary, and more.

 

All these wonders of nature within reach to the man that once swam with great white sharks in New Zealand while serving as a Major League ambassador to the country in 2011.

 

Now, Melacron’s idea of using stakes and ropes to recreate the floorplans of his home was quite ingenious. I wonder what he’ll think of to recreate those views in Oracle Park. That’d be a sight to see.

 

*Originally posted on Fancy Pants Homes

Nestled along a one-mile stretch of pristine beach, Mandarina is the most significant new resort and residential community to grace the shores of Mexico in decades and will draw the most discerning buyers and travelers from around the world to Riviera Nayarit. Just under one hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Mandarina will feature one of the world’s first collections of One&Only branded residences, designed by the renowned Rick Joy Architects. One&Only Private Homes will debut alongside One&Only Mandarina, Rosewood Residences and Rosewood Mandarina, as well as the world-class Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club replete with state-of-the-art polo grounds, dressage and jumping arenas, stables and more.

 

The long and storied history of the land, which encompasses soaring mountain peaks, sandy shores, rolling green flatlands and a lush, tropical jungle, is ever present and preserved at Mandarina. Each evening as the sun sets, a fire will light at the end of The Jetty, which stretches out across the blue ocean, symbolizing the center of a long-dormant volcano that created this dramatic landscape many years ago. Amidst the enduring natural wonder, an extraordinary destination awaits, offering world-class cuisine, blissful wellness, tailored adventures, endless exploration and unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

 

LOCATION

 

Mandarina is situated along the pristine Riviera Nayarit, a nearly 200-mile stretch of coastline in the Western Mexican State of Nayarit, between the forested mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Pacific Ocean. Offering absolute privacy, Mandarina is a less than one-hour drive from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which welcomes thousands of passengers daily from U.S., Canadian and Mexican cities as well as a host of other global destinations.

 

Just a short 15-minute drive south of Mandarina is the quaint seaside town of Sayulita. Known for its premier surfing, Sayulita’s streets bustle with activity where scores of visitors enjoy casual to fine dining. Local craftsmen offer artisanal, handmade gifts and goods and unique fashion boutiques line the winding cobbled streets.

 

ONE&ONLY PRIVATE HOMES

 

Among the first collection of One&Only villas to own in the world, One&Only Private Homes at Mandarina features 55 villas offering innovative, contemporary architecture that harmonizes eloquently with the landscape. Designed by Rick Joy Architects, each villa is architecturally unique and envisioned specifically for its location along the southern peak to capture the most favorable ocean views. Four, five and eight-bedroom floor plans range in size from approximately 7,500 to 13,500 square feet, providing a genuine sense of indoor/outdoor living with interior spaces connecting seamlessly to terrace, pool and garden areas. Featuring an infinity-edged pool overlooking the jungle, coastline and ocean, each villa is nestled into the lush, tropical surroundings and masterfully positioned for privacy and peace. The 108-room One&Only Mandarina will debut in Winter 2019/2020.

 

DEVELOPER

 

Publicly listed RLH Properties has enlisted developer partner RSC Development for Mandarina and One&Only Private Homes at Mandarina. Focused on the acquisition and development of high-end hotel assets in the main urban centers and tourist destinations of Mexico and the Caribbean, RLH Properties is overseeing the development of One&Only Mandarina and Rosewood Mandarina. As the second largest publicly listed hotel owner and developer in Mexico, RLH Properties has an impressive portfolio including Four Seasons Mexico City and Mayakoba in Cancun.

 

Developer partner RSC Development is at the forefront of real estate development innovation in Mexico. RSC Development consults and oversees strategic projects, beginning with the initial land acquisition through the entire cycle of development and sales. Over the past 12 years, RSC Development President and CEO, Ricardo Santa Cruz, has negotiated 4,000 acres of strategic land acquisitions throughout Mexico for development purposes and secured more than $90 million of investment capital. RSC Development brings a thoughtful, global vision to how properties are conceptualized, constructed and presented to the world.

 

ARCHITECT

Rick Joy Architects, based in Tucson, Arizona, is Mandarina’s architect. His award-winning practice has extensive experience with lifestyle-based projects, including the acclaimed Amangiri resort in Utah. He is renowned for climate responsive and landscape sensitive work, making buildings that belong in their place. At Mandarina, the design stems from a detailed site analysis, investigating the geology, climate, views, availability of local materials and ‘the building culture of place.’ To understand how the site influenced previous lifestyles, the team looked at how people have lived in this area over time. The result is architecture that is at one with the site and its heritage.

 

AMENITIES

 

MANDARINA POLO AND EQUESTRIAN CLUB
One of the most unique and exceptional offerings within Mandarina is the world- class Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club, featuring outstanding facilities, where riders of all ages will gather, learn, practice and compete. The club will host several international sporting events each year and will feature a clubhouse, arenas, two tournament size polo fields, polo lounge, pro shop, horse boarding and veterinary clinic onsite.

 

THE JETTY
Extending over the sea in front of the One&Only Majahua Beach Club, The Jetty creates a harbor and haven for swimmers and for residents and guests to set forth on their sea-faring adventures.

 

ONE&ONLY SPA
The One&Only Spa will comprise individual, open-air treatment rooms beneath the trees, providing an authentically holistic, nature-driven wellness experience.

 

ONE&ONLY MAJAHUA BEACH CLUB
Along the tranquil waters of the Pacific adjacent to The Jetty, the One&Only Majahua Beach Club features pools, beachside terraces, dining and massage spaces.

 

THE PLATEAU
Overlooking The Jetty and beyond from a tropical setting, The Plateau is the place for all-day dining, taking a dip in the pools with family and friends or browsing the boutique.

 

THE POINT
From the southernmost location of Mandarina, The Point, an adult-only destination, is situated along the mountainside, capturing some of the community’s most spectacular sunset views from its dramatic pool terrace and the exquisitely designed indoor/outdoor restaurant.

 

CANALAN BEACH CLUB
Situated along Mandarina’s one-mile stretch of soft-sand beach, Canalan Beach Club will feature a beachside swimming pool, casual dining and water activities for adventurists of all ages.

 

THE FARM & RESTAURANT
Situated in the lush, flatlands of Mandarina, The Farm will feature locally-grown produce, an authentic, farm-to-table restaurant and educational programming for children to interact with the animals who will thrive here.

 

TRAIL SYSTEM
Miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through Mandarina, from easy walking trails to mountain running trails that connect the mountainsides of One&Only Mandarina with the tropical rainforests, Flatlands and the beaches.

 

ESTUARY
Winding through the Flatlands at Mandarina, the estuary is home to numerous ecosystems, nourishing a diverse coastal plant and animal life. Residents and guests may explore its waters by kayak or stand-up paddle board, watching and listening for the hundreds of species of birds that inhabit the area.

 

SERVICES

Residents at One&Only Private Homes enjoy a host of residential services designed to make ownership within Mandarina effortless. Among the custom-tailored services are property management, charging privileges at all hotel amenities, in- residence private dining and spa services, personal training sessions, travel arrangements, personal shopping, laundry and dry cleaning, medical services and boat moorage at The Jetty.

 

ROSEWOOD MANDARINA

Situated on a mountain peak, beside Mandarina’s ethereal estuary and lagoon, the Rosewood Mandarina offers residents and guests an immersive experience individualized for the Mandarina lifestyle. Rosewood Mandarina will feature a distinct, residential-style resort, a collection of private residences, an array of culinary offerings, a beach club, and a signature Sense, A Rosewood Spa. Residents and guests will be treated to the Rosewood brand of award-winning “relationship hospitality,” which delivers warm and genuine service with passion and dedication.

 

*Originally posted on Luxe Getaways

Over the course of 10 years, Riviera Nayarit has positioned itself as one of the most important and exclusive luxury destinations in Mexico. However, a new phase has just begun for the entire coastal region. This era will be marked by the opening of an impressive residential and vacation complex geared to a segment with high purchasing power, bringing two resorts that set the standard in privacy, exoticism, comfort and unique experiences worldwide: One&Only and Rosewood.

 

These brands chose this region for its unspoiled natural beauty. Located north of Banderas Bay, in the municipality of Compostela, the dramatic landscape, created hundreds of years ago by a volcano, includes such diverse environments as beach, plain, lagoon, lush vegetation and cliffs. Its features, therefore, guarantee spectacular views, exciting activities and a peaceful and privileged stay by the sea. In keeping with its tropical nature, it is called Mandarina.

 

It is the most ambitious real estate project presented in recent years and hopes to attract travelers from all over the world. Once completed, it will encompass the One&Only Mandarina and Rosewood Mandarina hotels, the One&Only Private Homes and Rosewood Residences residential communities, as well as a world-class equestrian complex, Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club.

 

Ricardo Santa Cruz, CEO of RSC Development (company in charge of the commercial direction of the development), describes the land’s attributes: “In Mandarina we found everything we were looking for. It is a completely pristine area where we could create a low-density development from scratch, because it has very attractive topography and an ideal size. In the southern and northern parts, it has jungle and mountainous characteristics, perfect for unique resorts due to the excellent views and harmony with nature. In addition, the property has two swimming beaches. One will be the site of the One&Only hotel’s beach club. The other, a mile long, will host two additional beach clubs (including the one for the Rosewood hotel). And the flat, plain area will allow us to implement all the components of the equestrian center. It might be expected that finding such a place—with this type of vegetation and topography—would require travel to very remote places, such as Thailand or Indonesia. But Mandarina is very close to a destination with great connectivity, very mature, and less than three hours from the major cities of the western United States.” —Ricardo Santa Cruz.

 

RLH Properties, the development company in charge of Mandarina, is the second largest hotel company in the country, listed on the stock exchange and specializing in the acquisition and development of high-end tourist real estate in vacation destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. The design of the One&Only hotel and its residences is the responsibility of Rick Joy Architects, a firm based in Tucson, Arizona, with extensive experience in lifestyle projects and acclaimed for its sensitivity to and integration with the environment. Unquestionably, they guarantee both the quality and harmony of every corner and outdoor area of this new Riviera Nayarit micro-destination.

 

ONE&ONLY

 

The opening of One&Only Mandarina is scheduled for the fall of 2019. In total, it will have 108 rooms, including impressive cliff-top suites and tree-house suites, plus first-class amenities.

 

For the first time, the brand will develop a collection of its own villas within Mandarina, which are already being sold. This worldwide milestone will allow the international market to own a property in one of the most luxurious and exceptional places on the Pacific coast. One&Only Private Homes will consist of 55 residences of four, five and eight bedrooms, each designed independently according to its position, to prioritize privacy and views of the ocean. The villas will be immersed in the lush jungle and will have infinity pools, terraces and landscaped areas. Thanks to the great air connectivity that Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit have with cities in the United States and Canada, Mandarina is sure to be the next exclusive weekend destination for those countries.

 

ROSEWOOD

 

Rosewood Mandarina will open its doors in the middle of 2021. It will be located on the top of a mountain in the northern part of Mandarina, next to an estuary and a lagoon. The hotel will be inspired by the Huichol and Cora cultures that inhabited this region, combining luxury and modern comfort with the riches of its extraordinary scenery. It will also have an impressive collection of residences for sale.

 

“At Rosewood, we are excited to expand our brand in Mexico, which is now a leading luxury destination worldwide. With all the natural beauty and adventure that Riviera Nayarit offers, Mandarina will masterfully incorporate the philosophy of sense of place that characterizes our resort,” says Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group.

 

Allen Sanginés-Krause, president of the RLH Properties council, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the firm: “We are delighted to partner with Rosewood in this exciting project that will become one of the best in Mexico.”

 

AMENITIES

 

Within Mandarina, guests and residents will be able to use both One&Only and Rosewood amenities. That is, they can enjoy the Mandarina experience in all its splendor. This means that once they enter the development they will find no more security filters and will be able to move about freely to enjoy each area.

 

MANDARINA POLO & EQUESTRIAN CLUB

 

With first-class facilities, this complex will be located in a flat area and will have a clubhouse, dressage track, arenas, two regulation-size polo fields, lounge, veterinary clinic and specialty store. Riders of all ages will enjoy a unique experience here, due to its proximity to the sea.

 

“For horse lovers, being able to ride to the sea or on the mountain is a dream come true. In addition, we will have a couple of polo tournaments a year, with well-known sponsors, that will bring people from Europe, Asia, the United States and other countries,” says Ricardo Santa Cruz.

 

THE JETTY

 

Mandarina will also be accessible by sea. The Jetty will be located on the coast in front of the One&Only complex, creating a port from which you can go out to practice water activities such as snorkeling, diving, paddle boarding, fishing and surfing. Those guests who have yachts will be able to use a mooring area. At the end of this jetty, there will be a bonfire area symbolizing the volcano that was once on the site, a perfect spot to appreciate the beautiful Nayarit sunsets.

 

GASTRONOMY

 

“The kitchen of One&Only is known worldwide for the quality of its food. We will have very traditional dishes, both from Nayarit and other parts of Mexico, taking advantage of regional ingredients,” notes Santa Cruz.

 

There will be various experiences available within the resort. On the stretch of beach in front of the jetty, One&Only Majahua Beach Club will offer infinity pools, terraces and cabañas, among other amenities. And its gastronomic offerings will match the high-quality ingredients that characterize the hotel.

 

The Point will be another restaurant, operated by renowned Mexican chef Enrique Olvera (listed in various rankings as one of the best in Latin America). Located at the southern end of Mandarina, it not only promises spectacular views, but also the best of contemporary signature cuisine.

 

Finally, The Plateau will have breakfast, lunch and dinner options. It will be a place where you can relax, swim in the pool, enjoy a cocktail or purchase exclusive products in the boutique.

 

In the northern part of Mandarina, Canalán Beach Club will provide access to the beautiful beach that extends into that area and provide casual culinary options, ideal to complement a day of exciting water activities. And The Farm Restaurant will consist of a garden and restaurant, located very close to the equestrian center, where the farm to table concept will reign, that is, you can enjoy the harvest. And there will be educational programs for children, where they can interact with the farm animals.

 

HARMONY WITH NATURE

 

One of the most important hallmarks of Mandarina is its integration and respect for the environment, part of the experience for residents and guests. Several ecosystems coexist in the site, and there is a wealth of both flora and fauna.

 

“We are going to take advantage of and optimize the natural resources Mandarina offers us. For example,  the kids club will have a butterfly house, an insect house, tree houses and hanging bridges. We will also have an extreme area for the more adventurous, where there will be zip lines, mountains to climb, rappel towers and an obstacle course. For those who enjoy hiking, we will have a system of trails to walk, bike or horseback. Finally, in the lagoon, you can practice activities such as kayaking and paddle boarding,” notes Santa Cruz.

 

In this way, Mandarina is responding to the wishes of travelers and residents increasingly aware of the environment. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most complete projects in Western Mexico.

 

Other benefits available to owners of the villas within Mandarina are property maintenance and administration, spa and food services within your residence, physical training sessions, laundry, medical attention, mooring of boats with access to The Jetty and special privileges in all the One&Only hotels in the world.

 

*Originally printed in Vallarta Lifestyles

As the world gets increasingly crowded and less green, there is a growing impulse to get back to nature. Consider Indonesia’s recent proposal to move its capital away from overcrowded and sinking Jakarta and perhaps to the rainforest regions of Borneo as one promiment, urgent example.

 

In South India, Nomadie Resorts intents to build tended, light-on-the-land “treehouse” dwellings on stilts in a cove along the Arabian Sea, as part of a permaculture farm-to-table eco-spa/retreat adjoining the rich estuary of the Aghanasini, the last undammed river in the Indian subcontinent.

 

Just hours away from the Bay Area, Giants pitcher Mark Melancon has his sights on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit region, where a 19,000-square-foot hilltop home, in a forested tropical development called Mandarina, is being readied for him.

 

Melancon frequently vacations near there with his wife and three children at a condo in Punta Mita that they have owned since 2013. It overlooks the Pacific and is a place for watching humpback whales, and Sayulita, a popular and vibrant surfer paradise just an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, is very close by. But all that pales beside Melancon’s future hideout, which shares those assets and yet seems a planet away.

 

Mandarina, where the 34-year-old All-Star player might someday retire, is a 640-acre nature preserve, pieced together over a decade with individual properties that once made up a land cooperative. The preserve is the brainchild of Ricardo Santa Cruz, who teamed up with four other partners and RLH properties to realize his dream of an enclave where nature could prevail.

 

It’s touched forests crown several promontories of the Sierra Vallejo range, with views of the ocean and of inland flatlands surrounding an estuarine lagoon. Its hiking and riding trails as well as secluded beaches along a coved, mile-long coastline are enveloped with a silence that allows the sound of waves and the rustle of leaves to waft across the vast terrain.

 

The pitcher recalls seeing the virgin jungle when he toured the property for the first time two years ago with Santa Cruz. “There were no roads to drive on, or flattened lots to see,” Melancon says. “Just people with machetes clearing the way in front of us.”

 

“I was still saying ‘picture this’ because nothing was built,” Santa Cruz recalls. But within 24 hours Melancon became the first to buy into Santa Cruz’s vision.

 

The idea: keep the land as natural as possible. The plan includes 55 discrete villas — designed by none other than Arizona architect Rick Joy, of Utah’s Amangiri Resort fame — that will be carefully sited on high ground with indoor/outdoor great rooms and, as much as possible, tucked out of view from each other.

 

The modernist villas and attendant amenities, such as cantilevered club pool with sunset views, are to be the first branded private homes run by One & Only Resorts, a company whose near-legendary luxury services that Melancon had enjoyed and appreciated in other parts of the world. The company was tapped to run a One & Only Mandarina spa and hotel; at the north end of the state, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts will manage Rosewood Mandarina residences and a future hotel. For the flatlands between the two residential components on higher ground, Santa Cruz plans a polo field for international tournaments and equestrian events and an animal farm with ponies for children to ride.

 

“One thing we wanted to stay clear of was golf. It is a dying sport and it takes too long to play. An, in an environmental sense it goes against everything we are vying for,” Santa Cruz says.

 

So, forget lawns. Landscaping will be kept to the barest minimum — homeowners will only own the footprint of their houses — to let the forest flourish naturally.

 

While polo fields do have to be maintained, between tournament seasons they can easily become multipurpose playgrounds for social evenings when cowboys can demonstrate lasso tricks around campfires. And even stabled horses can be heard at a distance. “The sound is very soothing and you feel like you are in nature,” Santa Cruz says.

 

“I grew up riding horses and I felt this adult playground would also be heaven for kids because they would be able to ride and play polo,” Melancon says. “I felt it was a home run. I was in.”

 

Melancon’s eight-bedroom, $9 million villa will be ready next year and, like the other 20 or so homes that are expected to be underway by the time the One & Only Mandarina hotel opens in 2020, it will echo many of the natural stone and wood features of the lofty hip-roofed model dwellings that have now been constructed for prospective buyers to see. Many details were fine-tuned for Melancon after visits to Studio Rick Joy in Tucson, Arizona. The kitchen got bigger, the pool got wider. “It is not a cookie-cutter solution and every home will be slightly different,” Melancon says.

 

His home will include separate lanai-like pavilions, a children’s pool, an infinity pool that will appear to hover above the bluff, hot tubs, a media room, a casino, a wine room and of course, a weight room.

 

“I work out every day,” the athlete says, because to him fitness is paramount. A partnership with Mayo Clinic will ensure all that Mandarina residents will have access to top medical care, and Melancon likes the resort’s energy-efficient building designs with circadian lighting systems and Delos environmental and wellness sensors.

 

“Air filtration gets neglected in coastal properties,” Santa Cruz notes. “When you are not using the home, humidity becomes a problem, so the Delos system maintains the home’s humidity, which prolongs the life of everything in it.”

 

Melancon loves all that but, ever the daredevil, he has his eyes on something more important.

 

“One of the coolest features we’ll have is a hot tub that hangs off the cliff edge,” he says.

 

*Originally posted in Senses Magazine

San Francisco Giants pitcher Mark Melancon was standing in the middle of the ballpark … and imagining himself in his hot tub.

 

No, it wasn’t an idle moment during a game or practice at Oracle Park. Melancon was test-driving the floor plans for his family’s dream home in Mexico.

 

He couldn’t get to the actual site so he made the most of home-field advantage by bringing the project to California. Developer Ricardo Santa Cruz and two colleagues flew up from Puerto Vallarta to map out the 19,000-square-foot mansion using stakes and rope in the stadium’s outfield.

 

“It was really helpful because it gave me a physical idea of how big each space was,” Melancon told the Star in a phone interview. “On paper, it was hard to grasp.”

 

The residence, designed by Arizona architect Rick Joy, will be a secondary home for the pro athlete, his wife Mary Catherine and their three children, ages 3, 4 and 7.

 

It’s the largest of 55 private villas at One&Only Mandarina, a new luxury resort and residential community on Riviera Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. The other homes, which are being marketed by The Agency, range up to 11,000 square feet and are priced at roughly $4.5 million to $12 million (U.S.).

 

As the first buyers about 18 months ago, the Melancons paid $9 million for their retreat that’s perched on a private cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

 

“Your house is a really big house,” Santa Cruz had told Melancon. “We need a big, flat field.”

 

The pitcher, who has played for the Giants for two years since signing a four-year $62-million (U.S.) contract, knew just where to find one: his home stadium.

 

Santa Cruz’s team made two visits there — last fall and again in March — spending three or four hours positioning stakes and stringing yellow rope across the grass to outline the scale interior and exterior living spaces. Then the Melancons did a walk-through, tweaking and adjusting the layout before finalizing the design so construction could begin.

 

Among the changes were enlarged bedrooms and a wider kitchen after Melancon pictured himself opening the fridge doors and decided more room was needed. He also paid special attention to the gym.

 

“It was nice to be able to see how big it was,” he says, envisioning how his fitness equipment would fit. “I’m picky on that stuff.”

 

According to Santa Cruz, Melancon “had a really big wish list” for his tropical hideaway, which is divided into three buildings.

 

The final plans, customized for an active family who enjoy entertaining, include a media room, casino and game room, two hot tubs and two pools.

 

The infinity pool, which appears to hang off the edge of the bluff, isn’t designed for water games so a kid-friendly second pool was added, Santa Cruz explains.

 

He lauds the Melancons’ choice of location, which offers “spectacular views” of the beach, ocean, mountains, and the development’s polo fields and equestrian centre.

 

“What’s really cool about the home is one wing goes into the jungle so you get the full jungle immersion,” he says.

 

Calling the purchase a “wise investment,” Santa Cruz suggests a ballpark figure of $15 million as the appreciated value of Melancon’s property once his villa and the resort hotel are finished in about a year.

 

San Francisco’s Oracle Park, meanwhile, has been returned to its original purpose. Melancon and the Giants host the Toronto Blue Jays on May 14-15 after San Francisco swept a two-game series at the Rogers Centre late last month.

 

“Toronto’s one of my favourite cities,” Melancon says. “I love it there. The people are nice, down-to-earth.”

 

*Originally posted on The Star

It’s no secret that One&Only Resorts is among the upper-echelon of luxury hospitality, which is why its first ever collection of One&Only villas has been a major crowd-pleaser among the world’s elite.

 

Located less than one hour north of Puerto Vallarta (soon to be 30 minutes with the completion of a new highway), the villas are located in the new Mandarina community which will be home to multiple resorts and residences. The new abodes have recently caught the attention of Forbes, Travel + Leisure and more — and for good reason. Surrounded by the federally protected acres in the Sierra del Vallejo Mountains, in one of Mexico’s last remaining beachfront jungles, this community promises one-of-a-kind seclusion and top-tier living.

 

“One&Only is making history at Mandarina with the debut of one of its first collections of private villas to own,” says Andy Ardila, Managing Director of The Agency Development Group, which represents sales at One&Only Mandarina Private Homes. “Residents will enjoy all of the amenities of the One&Only Mandarina resort and the master-planned Mandarina community, as well as private residential services, including the option to enter the Villa Rental Program, in which rentals of their villa will be reserved and managed by One&Only Resorts.”

 

THE VILLAS

 

Neighboring the new One&Only Mandarina resort, the 55 ultra-private villas are nestled into a picturesque tropical landscape. Surrounded by jungle foliage, towering mountain peaks, lush flatlands and the sandy shores of the Pacific Coast, the new villas offer a completely unique option for the high-end buyer looking to truly escape.

 

All villas in the initial release of the Founders’ Collection have sold while Phase One of One&Only Mandarina Private Homes has recently surpassed the halfway sold milestone. The final chance to snag preferred, intro pricing is currently underway with the recent release of the Legacy Collection. These ocean-view villas are located hillside with four-, five- and eight-bedroom floor plans and decked out with contemporary architecture, private infinity-edge pools and holistic interior design.

 

THE AMENITIES

 

Some of the perks of being a homeowner in this jungle paradise include access to the open-air One&Only Spa, the private One&Only Majahua Beach Club, a diverse offering of fine dining and casual restaurants, an 85,000-square-foot Kid’s Club complete with treehouses, a butterfly sanctuary, water activities, a nature trail, cinema and nursery.

 

Outside the One&Only enclave, Mandarina community amenities include the world-class Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club. The club, which will host international competitions, was recently named the sister club of the Aspen Valley Polo Club. Members will be able to enjoy exclusive benefits at both locations like complimentary access to all facilities, member pricing on activities and members-only access to all tournaments and events. The Mandarina location will feature two tournament-sized polo fields, a polo lounge, dressage and jumping arenas, horseback riding lessons and more.

 

Not only will members be able to enjoy a day at the polo field, other amenities include The Farm, home to farm-to-table dining and a kid’s farm; a second beach club; and The Outpost, the ultimate destination for an adrenaline-fueled day. Explore the Jungle Course, with a zipline, rappel course and obstacle trail; a sports field; miles of hiking and biking trails; and a movie theatre and an open-air arcade for indoor fun.

 

*Originally posted on InMexico