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polo from the pool

May 12, 2025 Santa Barbara Life & Style

Article originally posted on Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine.

THE WILD MEETS REFINED AT RIVIERA NAYARIT’S ONE&ONLY MANDARINA

The first time I visited One&Only Mandarina, it was 2019, and the resort was little more than a rainforest-draped hillside with a couple of model rooms. Fast forward to my 2025 return, the property has fully materialized: honeymooners lounging in infinity pools, beach clubs with the best fish tacos I’ve ever had (beneath tasseled umbrellas, of course), and eight- bedroom homes overlooking manicured polo fields. And yet, somehow, the landscape itself remains unchanged.

Pelicans still dive headfirst into the water with gusto. Coatis (a type of raccoon) still scurry through the undergrowth. Towering banyan trees, their roots twisting amongst ancient petroglyphs, still hold their ground. Nature hasn’t just been preserved here—it’s what makes One&Only Mandarina feel like a portal to somewhere rare and untouched.

We wake in our Cliff Villa to golden light illuminating the trees, birds and insects harmonizing with the waves below. I open the doors to let the morning air in—though it’s worth noting that nature (ahem, coatis) can let itself in if you forget to lock the doors. From the bed, the view unfurls in layers—branches buzzing with squirrels and flashes of yellow birds, the ocean below, the flatlands stretching toward mountains in the distance. You can see for miles, yet no one has a view of your outdoor tub.

Post-coffee, I WhatsApp our host (like a butler) for a golf cart ride to Alma, where breakfast is served in the open-air restaurant. We savor tiramisu toast, huevos rancheros, and croissants spread with jams inspired by One&Only properties around the world.

As our host drives us back to our room, we wind through the coastal rainforest, Treehouse Villas emerge between the trees, suspended 40 feet in the air on stilts—childhood treehouse fantasies come to life. Architect Rick Joy, whose resume includes Amangiri, designed the 110 villas and 55 private homes to blend seamlessly with the rainforest, fitting into gaps between the trees. While Mandarina took steps to initially preserve the nature, they continue doing their part to maintain the ecosystem too. At the epic kids’ club, for each butterfly released into the sanctuary, another is released into the wild—a small yet telling detail.

We spend the afternoon at the most serene adults-only pool I’ve ever encountered—far from the energy of the many family-friendly areas—before dinner at Carao, where the fish chorizo and cheese and shrimp ceviche (perched elegantly on red chili emulsion) offer an elevated take on Mexican cuisine.

The next day I discover the real hidden gem: the spa. A one-minute walk from our villa, stepping into the spa feels as if I’m entering another dimension. The outside world and its stressors vanish. My Kayuma Cleansing Ceremony begins with a calming scrub, followed by an herbal oil massage. After the treatment, hours slip away as I wander through the rainforest, finding another form of revitalization in each clearing—a mud therapy area, hot and cold pools, sauna and steam rooms, a Temazcal. Absolute heaven.

One&Only Mandarina feels like an intimate, high- touch boutique hotel, yet the property is vast—like you’d need to move there to get to everything you want to do. The solution? One&Only Mandarina Private Homes. Allowing close proximity to every leisure activity imaginable and completely immersed in nature, yet not isolated from conveniences—like a 24 hour on-call doctor (trust me, we checked first hand at 2 a.m.).

When building a One&Only Mandarina Private Home, everything is customizable: deep soaking tubs, in-home theaters, game rooms, front-of-house or back-of-house kitchens (or both). Natural materials— volcanic rock, warm wood—root the spaces in their surroundings. And then there’s the view: whales breaching in the ocean, ethereal mist weaving around the mountains, polo matches—and that’s just what you can see from the infinity pool.

For a closer look at the action, Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club is just minutes away. The world-class polo facilities are so pristine the tack room could pass for a Ralph Lauren boutique and the stalls for guest rooms (almost). Matches take place November through May—fast-paced, three-on-three, no referees—designed for fluidity for the players and an elegant backdrop for spectators sipping Divot Stop cocktails.

On match evenings, you can follow the game with an Argentinian asado at Chukker, the fieldside restaurant, or dinner at Allora at Catalan Beach Club, a short drive away. The road to Allora alone is worth the trip—the sunset reflecting in the estuary on one side and ocean on the other is as dreamy as it gets—but then again so is the black truffle pasta, Neapolitan-style pizza with vegetables from the organic garden, and the salami-stuffed arancini.

Adjacent to the polo club sits just-opened Mandarina Golf Club, which manager Pedro De La Vega coins “boutique golf.” The term is perfectly fitting for the Greg Norman designed 10-hole course (or nine holes plus a “bonus”).

Since its 2020 opening, One&Only Mandarina has become known as a honeymooner’s paradise, but there’s more to it than that. The resort’s signature freestanding villas with private plunge pools haven’t replaced the jungle—they’re immersed in it. Even at night, the moonlight filtering through the skylight above our bed is a reminder that here, luxury doesn’t outshine nature—it coexists with it. The spa, the homes, the polo matches, the infinity pools all culminate in a lifestyle that’s equal parts relaxation, adventure, and immersion in a world you won’t want to leave.*

For further information on One&Only Mandarina Private Homes, contact info@discovermandarina.com.

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Map of Mandarina, Mexico
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Rosewood MandarinaRosewood Mandarina will have a residential-style hotel and set of unique private residences beginning in 2021.

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The JettyResidents and guests will depart The Jetty for their water adventures and gather each afternoon to enjoy the sunset.

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One&Only Private HomesThe villas are located in an exquisite private location in close proximity to the One&Only Mandarina.

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Rosewood Residences Starting in 2021, Rosewood Residences will take their residents deep into nature, offering them award-winning Rosewood hospitality.

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Canalan Beach ClubThe Canalan Beach Club is located on 1.6 kilometers of pristine and golden beaches for swimming, where you can enjoy kayaking and snorkeling.

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The Point An adult-only spot nestled on the rugged mountains, Carao captures the most spectacular views of the Mandarina sunsets.

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The PlateauA different poolside relaxation and dining experience, The Plateau overlooks The Jetty and the horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

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One&Only Majahua Beach ClubLocated on the calm waters of the Pacific, the One&Only Majahua Beach Club offers a relaxing and casual elegance experience.

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One&Only SpaThe One&Only Spa offers a truly unique holistic wellness experience and outdoor treatment rooms under the trees.

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Kids' ClubThe KidsOnly Club brings Mandarina's wonders to life, with tree houses, an insect cabin, game room, nursery, sandpit, and outdoor amphitheater.

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One&Only Private HomesThe villas are located in an exquisite private location in close proximity to the One&Only Mandarina.

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The FarmLocated in the Flatlands, The Farm offers locally grown produce and a country-at-your-table restaurant.

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The OutpostThe adventures begin at The Outpost, the place to enjoy the day exploring the trails and the Mandarina jungle.

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Mandarina Polo & Equestrian ClubThe Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club beautifies the Flatlands, offering an exceptional venue for lovers of an equine lifestyle.

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EstuaryThe Mandarina estuary houses a rich biodiversity and an exceptional bird observatory.

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