Spotlight: One&Only Mandarina Grand Villas

After opening in November of 2020, One&Only Mandarina became a near-instant hit in the Indagare community. Our members headed to the jungle-meets-beach resort on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit for a much-needed getaway, earning it a spot on our list of Most Booked Beach Resorts that year. Many of our members have opted for the treehouse suites, suspended over the forest, with plunge pools amidst the tree canopy. But for even more of an escape, others have checked in to one of five Grand Villas: Villa Cumaru, Villa Tortuga, Villa Jaguar, Villa Pacífico and Villa One. Privacy comes first at these luxe hideouts, where light earth tones, subdued décor and an indoor-outdoor layout allow the lush surroundings to take center stage. Read on for a look into the Grand Villas and what makes them an ideal choice for your next Mexican escape.

Set amid the verdant protected coastal rainforests of Mexico, all of One&Only Mandarina’s Grand Villas are clustered on a bluff towards the western edge of the resort. Away from the treehouse accommodations and from most of the other villa suites, these villas allow guests to luxuriate in the peace of nature. They’re also conveniently close to Carao, the resort’s signature restaurant from Enrique Olvera, with a terrace that’s home to the most impressive pool on property (and one of our favorite hotel pools in the world). Meanwhile, the three-bedroom Villa One has a prime location in the center of the resort with sweeping ocean views and proximity to all restaurant's and the beach.

At each villa, palm fronds provide shade from the sun, and dramatic cliffside perches offer views of the sparkling sea. The exact views shift slightly depending on which of the six suites you’re in. All villa guests can experience the flora and fauna that abounds in the three microclimates of the Riviera Nayarit, including if you’re lucky, the breaching humpback whales, colorful butterflies dotting the greenery and the coati, raccoon-like mammals that walk freely throughout One&Only Mandarina.

Peace and Privacy

Surrounded by dense greenery, the Grand Villas are One&Only Mandarina’s most secluded accommodations. Villa One and Villa Cumaru are the token three-bedroom and one-bedroom villas respectively, while Villas Banderas, Jaguar, Pacífico and Tortuga are all two-bedroom. These multi-bedroom units are best for families and groups of friends looking to spread out and enjoy one another’s company, be it on the expansive outdoor terraces with private pools or in the elegant living areas. Along with the private pools at each Grand Villa, Villa One, Pacífico, Jaguar and Cumaru also have outdoor hot tubs. Villas One, Pacífico and Jaguar each have a barbecue grill on their dining terrace, which make for a great evening dining alfresco, and Villas One and Pacífico both have cinema rooms, perfect for relaxing movie nights after a long day under the sun.

Villa One

We love each of the Grand Villas, but the multi-level Villa One—at over 18,800 square-feet—stands out as the largest and most prestigious of the bunch. Its three bedrooms (two of which are masters with their own private hot tubs) have room for eight guests. The villa has a spacious kitchen, infinity pool and family game room. Other perks include a gym with an additional plunge pool and spa, a wine cellar, full-screen cinema—plus an open-air “living room” sitting area suspended over the treetops with a firepit.

The service at Villa One is exceptional, too. Guests here enjoy dedicated butler service and a private chef, as well as their own Villa One buggy and driver (the resort is spread out, so all guests get around by a fleet of buggies), and airport transfers. Down at Jetty Beach Club, Villa One guests also receive their own private cabana.

Outdoor Adventures

Yes, it’s possible to enjoy an entire few days (or longer) without ever leaving your Grand Villa, but One&Only Mandarina’s extensive opportunities for adventure might just tempt you anyway. A dedicated pre-arrival preference planner allows you to maximize your activities (leaving plenty of time for inactivity, too). Out on the water, diving, surfing, fishing and sunset cruises can all be part of the experience. Guests during the winter months may also see humpback whale calves that are born just offshore. And when you’ve soaked up enough sea-and-sun, retreat to the wonders of the jungle, where hikes to waterfalls and centuries-old trees await. The Mandarina development also offers bike and horseback rides, zip-lining and a rappelling course, perfect for guests craving extra excitement.

Standout Amenities

The team at One&Only Mandarina is committed to making sure all guests’ stays are memorable. But they provide extra care to Grand Villa Guests. Upon arrival, expect welcome canapes, fresh flowers and fruit and a bottle of Champagne. Grand Villa stays also include an unpacking and packing service and garment pressing. And with dedicated butler (available upon request) throughout your visit, you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.