After a couple of years with little to no travel for many, the tourism industry seems to be bouncing back — and thankfully, in a major way. Travelers are seeking exciting and unique experiences to make up for lost time, and brands like One&Only Resorts aim to deliver.
With an impressive portfolio of resorts located in some of the most exclusive destinations around the world, One&Only Resorts continued to be the gold standard for those seeking a vacation experience like none other. Known and loved for their take on understated luxury, the One&Only Collection boasts a collection of award-winning properties in picturesque locales: One&Only Reethi Rah Maldives, One&Only Le Saint Geran in Mauritius, One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains of Australia, One&Only Desaru Coast in Malaysia, and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Rwanda, among many others.
One of the newest resorts from the ultra- luxe brand is the One&Only Mandarina, a five-star resort tucked away on a spectacular stretch of coastal rainforest on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Set amid 80 acres of lush coastal cliffs, the beachfront resort was first opened to guests in November 2020 amid the pandemic. With a close proximity to the United States and less restrictive travel regulations, Mexico offered many Americans willing to brave pandemic travel a friendly and culturally rich destination just a short flight away. Meanwhile, the One&Only Mandarina has welcomed guests with the brand’s unparalleled hospitality.
While the nearby towns of Punta Mita, Puerta Vallarta, and Sayulita have become popular destinations for travelers, the Riviera Nayarit remained largely undeveloped before the arrival of the resort.
“We were thrilled to introduce One&Only Mandarina and to bring refined luxury to a rare, undeveloped stretch of coastline along the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific Coast,” Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer of Kerzner International, the parent company of One&Only Resorts, tells GRAZIA USA. “This brand-defining resort showcases One&Only’s commitment to the destination, allowing nature to take center stage, and has been designed to respect and blend with the environment.”
Featuring 105 guest rooms perched on jungle cliffs and nestled within lush rainforest, Treehouse or Villa accommodations are available to guests. The expansive eco-conscious rooms, built using natural materials and Mexican craftsmanship, are spaced out to offer the ultimate privacy, making the resort a top choice for couples eager to reconnect and relax. Meant to blend effortlessly into the surrounding landscape, each room features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, jungle, and mountains nearby. Add the fact that each is purified with a smudge stick upon arrival, stocked with all-natural Tata Harper products, and boasts a private plunge pool and it is peak social distancing, indeed.
Elevated among tropical greenery, the Treehouse rooms include private decks with open-air bathtubs, perfect for taking in the surrounding natural environment. Villas, meanwhile, feature retractable walls to provide guests with a breathtaking indoor-outdoor experience, along with neutral-toned furniture and décor and outdoor showers. Available in one- to three- bedroom configurations, the Villas offer the ideal space for families; some even include private dining rooms, hot tubs, fire pits, and cinemas. Villa One is the property’s exquisite two-story, three-bedroom suite, equipped with a dedicated butler and chef, wine cellar, private spa, Technogym fitness equipment, and secluded infinity pool. Featuring more than 18,000 square feet and a nearly 5,000-square-foot terrace, this Villa can sleep up to 8 guests and offers jaw-dropping views of the rainforest and ocean below.
“Like all properties in the One&Only collection, One&Only Mandarina introduced an ultra-luxury experience with an emphasis on privacy and seclusion that are perfect for both couples and families,” says Zuber.
While lounging in the room is a perfectly acceptable way to pass the days at One&Only Mandarina, there is no shortage of activities available. Aside from the private plunge pools, there are six additional resort pools for lounging. Beach cabanas sit on a stunning stretch of white sand beach with swimmable waters.
Active travelers can partake in water sports, including scuba, snorkel, paddleboarding, sailing, and deep-sea fishing, while biking, soccer, pickleball, and even archery are just a few of the activities on land. Tennis lessons and clinics are led by former ATP tour star Janko Tipsaravić, perfect for beginners and competitive players alike. For thrill-seekers, a zipline and rappel ropes course will supply more than sufficient adrenaline.
A real highlight of the resort, though, are the hikes led by expert guides who give guests a tour of the surrounding area — home to three microclimates, including lush rainforest, ancient ruins and pyramids, and local wildlife. The connection with nature is evident all around, concluding at “La Abuela,” an ancient tree dating back almost 500 years.
A day at the spa is a must and the perfect antidote to the stresses of the past few years. Set within a volcanic rock garden surrounded by tropical vegetation, the Wellness Centre offers everything from personalized Tata Harper treatments to a rejuvenating mud grotto along with a cold plunge pool, sauna, and steam room overlooking the jungle. There are also yoga and meditation, sound therapy, and breathwork sessions, quantum reading and frequency healing, tarot and oracle ceremonies, astrological code reading, and personalized spiritual guidance headed up by Spiritual Leader Steffy Téllez Schnaas.
In short, it’s a playground for adults, but children are far from an afterthought at the One&Only Mandarina. The KidsOnly Club — a 42,000-square-foot play space described as a “magical adventure playground” and designed by Academy Award-winning Moulin Rouge art director Brigitte Broch — features tree houses, nature trails, suspension bridges, climbing walls, a butterfly farm, and a variety of crafts and sports for kids age 4 to 11. Unplugged from the world, little ones can let their imaginations run wild.
The food, of course, is another hallmark of the resort. Modeled on a traditional Mexican palapa, Carao is helmed by celebrity Chef Enrique Olvera of Pujol and Cosme renown, and features “authentic Mexican flavors with a modern touch.”
Set on the highest point of the hotel with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean below, Olvera’s restaurant uses traditional local ingredients to create globally influenced cuisine, such as roasted palm hearts, aged fish, and smoky octopus zarandeado.
“Carao is a celebration of not only food, but the destination of Mandarina, the community, and its vibrant culture through music and art, sparking a connection between all of these elements and our guests,” Olvera has said.
At Alma, Chef Olivier Duboise curates a “garden-to-plate” menu — think wood-fired flatbreads and duck prosciutto — along with natural wines and a Latin flair. Jetty Beach Club is the place to be for casual beachside dining and Treetop Bar is a must for a sunset cocktail with incredible views. For a deeper exploration of the local cuisine, on-site workshops include taco making and a barista workshop. There is, to be clear, no shortage of divine food and drinks at the resort.
In fact, there is an abundance of just about everything at the One&Only Mandarina, most notably the warmth and hospitality the brand is known and loved for. Which is why the expansion continues.
“Further afield, we are looking forward to taking our guests on a Greek journey, with the opening of One&Only Aesthesis, our new Grecian escape on an exclusive beachfront in southern Athens, and One&Only Kéa Island,” says Zuber. “We are also excited about the most recent announcement of One&Only Moonlight Basin in Big Sky and to introduce the glamour, elegance, and immersive experiences through the lifestyle and energy of One&Only to one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes in Montana and the Western United States.”
For now, guests can travel to Montenegro for the very first One&Only resort in Europe.
“Following the successful introduction of One&Only Mandarina, we brought One&Only’s unmatched hospitality to Europe with the opening of One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, which is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after fashionable destinations on the Adriatic,” Zuber explains.
The ultra-luxury property — the first One&Only resort in Europe — is located at the entrance of Montenegro’s Boka Bay and was designed to reflect old world architectural styles of the region, including grand façades, red terra-cotta rooftops, lush gardens, and a selection of indoor and outdoor pools. Surrounded by a dramatic coastline and impressive mountains, One&Only Portonovi is located on 60 sprawling acres near captivating UNESCO World Heritage Sites and sandy Mediterranean beaches.
The 123 guest rooms, suites, and villas were designed with views of the adjacent marina, bay, and mountain landscape and feature modern fireplaces, massive bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive terraces. (Interconnected rooms can be requested for larger groups and families.)
For a truly superlative oenophile experience, Suite One is the standout: It comes complete with a dedicated butler and private wine vault stocked with 268 bottles from the region and other European locales. Villa One also boasts a three-bedroom layout, while Villa Two offers two large guest rooms; both have an outdoor shower and private pool, dedicated butlers, chef and valets, and — naturally — exceptional views of the Adriatic Sea.
With wellness as a centerpiece of the brand ethos and its status as a growing priority for sophisticated travelers, the property’s Chenot Espace is a major part of One&Only Portonovi’s global appeal. Combining the latest scientific advances with the best offerings from Chinese and traditional medicine, the Chenot Method provides guests with a better understanding of their personal needs and helps create a program to achieve optimal performance and wellbeing. The bespoke one- to seven- day plans include nutritional consultations, detox menus, fitness schedules, targeted spa treatments, and stress-relieving techniques, along with hydrotherapy and cryotherapy facilities, sauna, steam room, Oriental hammam, indoor pool, and relaxation areas — the ultimate in much-needed R&R.
“We are particularly excited about our exclusive partnership with Chenot, a first- of-its kind wellness concept for guests to focus on their vitality, looking to lead a more active, healthy, and balanced life,” Zuber tells GRAZIA USA. “This immersive offering is set to revolutionize resort well-being experiences for our guests in a spectacular locale at the entrance of the wild and beautiful Boka Bay.”
The food and beverage offerings are, of course, another major draw. La Veranda offers à la carte and buffet-style dining with a Montenegrin flair, while Caminetti is a relaxing lobby bar with picturesque views and expertly crafted cocktails such as the Novi Sunset (barrel-aged tequila, Cointreau, and orange bitters), and the Monte Fire (made with local spirit Rakija, sweet vermouth, and Amaretto). For a special experience and an impressive raw bar, Sabia by Michelin-starred Chef Giorgio Locatelli features savory Italian dishes with a focus on fresh seafood and vegetables. At Tapasake, the small plate Japanese fusion cuisine is paired with sake selections, and when the sun goes down, the party starts with a lineup of DJs, performers, and musicians. With a backdrop of the sea, this poolside soirée is the place to sip, see, and be seen.
Guests can cruise the Adriatic and explore nearby medieval towns and National
Parks, enjoy a seaside yoga class, or go for a guided run through the spectacular routes.
Meanwhile, younger guests ages four to 17 can hang out at the KidsOnly (inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), and teens can turn to the OneTribe club, offering watersports, raft building, and treasure hunts.
It’s no surprise that unforgettable visits to the various One&Only global resorts have created a group of passionate devotees, eager to return and explore all of the portfolio’s offerings. Thanks to the Private Homes collection, the experience of visiting a One&Only resort is elevated and personalized even more.
“For those looking to be part of the One&Only lifestyle on a more permanent basis, we are thrilled to introduce Private Homes for guests who wish to make this stylish resort their home at both One&Only Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico as well as One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro,” says Zuber.
Available at a handful of properties, the Private Homes will help One&Only continue to redefine the ultra-luxury hospitality scene.
“As part of the strategic growth,” Zuber continues, “we will continue to introduce resorts and exclusive communities of One&Only Private Homes in the world’s most incredible natural settings and buzzing urban centers.”
