Elite Traveler Summer 2023

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elite traveler SUMMER 2023 121

One&Only Mandarina NAYARIT, MEXICO One&Only Mandarina is an ultra-chic, eco-conscious retreat perched on a cli ff side with an emerald rain forest on one side and lapping Paci fi c waves on the other; it feels like paradise. The secluded resort in Riviera Nayarit — a nearly 200-mile stretch of shimmering coastline — has been lauded for its nurturing wellness o ff erings that include native healing and mindfulness sessions, as well as multi-day retreats. But that is not the only draw. One&Only Mandarina also holds an attraction for foodies thanks to its restaurant Carao, overseen by Mexico’s most renowned chef, Enrique Olvera. At the cli ff side eatery, Olvera has creatively reinvented Mexican classics, drawing inspiration from the resort’s vibrant natural surroundings. This is complemented by Alma, a farm-to-fork restaurant where French-Mexican executive chef Olivier Deboise fuses pan-American and Mediterranean fl avors, sourcing his produce from local growers and fi shermen. For those wanting to try their hand at Mexican gastronomy there are plenty of opportunities, from taco-making workshops at Carao to uncovering the secrets to the perfect fl atbread at Alma. Of course, in true One&Only style, the accommodation is out of this world and ranges from 39-ft-high, one-bedroom treehouses with private in fi nity pools, to the eight-bedroom sanctuary of Signature Villa 01, complete with a panoramic fi repit, wine cellar and chef’s kitchen. Epicurean adventure One&Only Mandarina is just three hours from the town of Tequila, birthplace of Mexico’s most famous spirit. The hotel’s tequila voyage will take you deep into the blue agave fi elds of Jalisco where it all began. On the way, you’ll stop to take in the magni fi cent Ceboruco volcano — the area’s rich volcanic soil provides the perfect conditions for agave to thrive. Your fi nal destination will be the historic La Rojeña Distillery to learn about the tequila-making process before enjoying a tasting of the highly praised Maestro Dobel line. You’ll even have the chance to create your own blend. Signature Villa 01 from $12,000 per night. Contact Lilian Martinez, reservations manager, lilian.martinez@oneandonlymandarina.com, +52 327 689 0100, oneandonlyresorts.com

Photos Rupert Peace