Surrounded by indigenous wildlife and serene waterfalls, a picturesque lagoon weaves throughout a 620-acre property connect four ultra-luxury resorts at Mayakoba.
All photos courtesy of Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Surrounded by indigenous wildlife and serene waterfalls, a picturesque lagoon weaves throughout a 620-acre property connecting four ultra-luxury resorts at Mayakoba — Andaz, Rosewood, Banyan Tree, and Fairmont. A luxurious boat ride uncovers four world-class spas, more than 25 restaurants, and four beach clubs and pools along the Riviera Maya coastline.
Upon entering Mayakoba, I learned that the land is home to more than 260 animal species — including monkeys, iguanas, and tropical fish. Biologists visit the site to ensure that a home for its native animals and plants is not only preserved but enhanced, as the number of species on the land continues to grow and all four resorts have received Rainforest Alliance Certification.
Rosewood Residences
Fairmont Residences
When I was not looking out at the lush lagoon from my private plunge pool at the Rosewood hotel, I was walking or biking to the beach through the man-grove forest on Mayakoba’s 2.5 miles of nature trails. Once at the beach, the crystal waters were perfect for jet skiing, snorkeling, and riding SEABOBs.
“Mayakoba offers experiences for all your senses, and there is a sense of discovery at every turn,” says Kappner Clark, chief marketing officer of RLH Properties, which acquired the property in 2017. “I’ve been to Mayakoba around 20 times this year and there is so much left to explore.”
While all four resorts exude distinct personalities, each private oasis blends seamlessly into nature. The 2- to 4-bedroom villas at Rosewood offer unparalleled luxury. With lagoon or beachfront floor plans available, prices begin at $3.3 million. The residences and penthouses at Fairmont boast lagoon and golf course views. Full-ownership prices begin at $1.5 million, with one-twelfth fractions beginning at $219,000.
El Camaleon
“Our homeowners choose to buy for the ease of owning a turnkey branded Rosewood or Fairmont residence where the hotel manages your property while you’re away. All you have to do is arrive,” says Clark, who notes that homeowners may use the property’s rental program.
A trip to Mayakoba would not have been complete without a visit to El Camaleon, the 18-hole PGA Tour championship golf course that boasts views of the tropical jungle, freshwater canals, and beautiful oceanfront.
And when I wanted a break from relaxing, El Pueblito was perfect. Resembling a Mexican town square with vibrant Mexican colors and traditional architecture, the lively square connects the four resorts, offering boutique shopping, restaurants, and a night bar, as well as a Mission-style chapel.
This editorial originally appeared in Unique Homes Winter 2020.
The new residential villas will feature an open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to ample private terraces.
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Los Cabos’ premier beachfront resort and residential villa community, will expand its real estate offerings with the fall 2018 unveiling of 28 new beach-front villas, 12 new hotel rooms and suites and a variety of social and culinary amenities for owners and guests.
Since opening in January 2017, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences has seen strong sales numbers and high occupancy at the award-winning Auberge property.
A sprawling 22-acres above one of Cabo’s coveted year-round swimmable beaches and part of the prestigious 1,200-acre resort community of Chileno Bay, the resort is comprised of a private beach club and a three-tiered infinite swimming pool with an oceanfront hot tub and fire pits.
The new residences will provide future buyers more options to stay at this luxurious resort with the introduction of two-bedroom villas, penthouses and additional four-bedroom villas.
“Our goal with the new villas is to offer the most exciting new ownership opportunity in the destination and bring a new level of luxury to Los Cabos,” says Mark Cooley, a partner of SV Capital Partners — developers of the resort.
With simple, direct forms, the villas are clean, light and airy. The new homes feature an open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to ample private terraces. Ground-floor villas all have private, in-ground pools and spas, while upper-level villas have Jacuzzis on the spacious, open-air balconies. All residential villas are equipped with indoor-outdoor gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, immaculate finishes and fixtures and distinct artisanal furnishings and artwork.
The developers are also introducing new community amenities that appeal to the whole family — specifically, more opportunities for young adults to meet peers and simply have fun. The result is the new Young Adult’s Club, a casual space for gathering with a recording studio, gaming center, onsite photography coordinator and mocktail bar. Other new enhancements around property will include a coffee shop and an additional dining venue.
Los Angeles-based real estate development firm, Irongate, announces the debut of Amanvari, a resort that will serve as a peaceful escape and private oasis, nestled between the mountains and sea on the Eastern Cape of the Baja Peninsula in northwestern Mexico.
Irongate, a Los Angeles-based real estate development firm, announced the debut of Amanvari, a peaceful escape and private oasis nestled between the majestic Sierra de la Laguna mountain range and Sea of Cortes on the Eastern Cape of the Baja Peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Aman Resorts International is scheduled to open Amanvari, its new hotel and private residences, in 2020.
Aman is a luxury hotel group with 33 destinations in 21 countries. Its name is derived from the Sanskrit-derived words for “peace” and “water.” Set within Costa Palmas, a private beachfront resort community with three kilometers of swimmable beach, Amanvari is easily accessible from almost every American hub.
“It is an incredible honor and a dream come true for me to have an Aman resort at Costa Palmas,” said Jason Grosfeld, chairman and CEO of Irongate. “It is a testament to the beauty of the East Cape that Aman has selected Costa Palmas to be their first destination in Mexico.”
Irongate, in collaboration with Aman, has commissioned architects Heah & Co. who have approached the design of Amanvari with the overriding objective of allowing the surreal landscape to take center stage. The resort design contemplates 20 bi-level hotel pavilions, each offering a generosity of space both inside and out. The pavilions will be spread across the resort’s bucolic landscape and boast floor to ceiling windows that open onto an outdoor terrace and wraparound sundeck.
The main pavilion at Amanvari will form the heart of the resort. This pavilion will be a destination where guests and residents can enjoy restaurants, a library and lounge, as well as a 30-meter infinity pool incorporating four hot tubs. The Aman Spa pavilion is planned to be steps from the main pavilion along a treed pathway.
For those looking for a more permanent Aman lifestyle, an initial release of only 24 whole-ownership Aman Residences will be offered for sale. Aman Residences will range from four to seven bedrooms spanning from 1,207 to 1,858 square meters of covered indoor-outdoor living.
In addition to Amanvari, the Costa Palmas master plan includes a Robert Trent Jones II golf course, 18-acres of organic farms, the private members-only Costa Palmas Beach and Yacht Club to which residence owners will be invited to join and Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas.
A 45-minute drive from Los Cabos International Airport ventures away from the popular destination of Los Cabos and takes guests to the East Cape, where there are few tourists. Guests can dive with migrant whales, go on sailing and fishing expeditions, visit freshwater ponds with a resident biologist and visit local ranches for horseback riding at Amanvari.
Tucked away in a far corner of the thousand-acre development where the sea, the wild desert and farmland meet, Amanvari is part of Costa Palmas, yet geographically and elementally removed from it. Wild and natural, Amanvari envelopes guests and residents in its own private sanctuary.
Photos courtesy of Aman
Riviera Maya Property Consultants bring luxury condominium to the center of Tulum.
Tulum, Mexico has become a hot spot for the ideal first-class getaway. In addition to the beautiful beaches, gourmet restaurants and fashionable boutique shops are popping up in Tulum, making it more attractive to stay in town.
Tulum has many eco boutique hotels, which offer gourmet food and morning yoga. However, there is one shortage in Tulum — high-quality vacation rentals. While beach hotels are lovely, everyone cannot afford a $700 night stay.
Silk Residences, a more affordable option, is a new luxury condo that will open its doors this September within the center of Tulum. Developed by a local boutique company, Riviera Maya Property Consultants, Silk Residences is a 7-luxury apartment condominium that is a reflection of the quickly developing town.
Designed by experienced architect, Gabriele Fabrizio Sbalbi, Silk Residences blends local Mayan materials with European sophistication and sleek design.
The condo has individual dip pools on terraces and high-end finishes, with a rooftop that features a 6-people Jacuzzi, BBQ, bar, modern equipped gym and a common pool. Luxury services include personalized attention, maid service, concierge and private chef’s services.
Perfectly located in Tulum’s center, Silk Residences is a 10-minute bike ride from the beach, surrounded by restaurants, shops and bars, as well as situated on a tranquil residential street.
All apartments have two bedrooms, and the penthouse is a 1-bedroom property. Prices range from$278,850 and $325,700.
Photos courtesy of Riviera Maya Property Consultants
As the only residential offering in Playa Mujeres, La Amada introduces sophisticated coastal living in one of Mexico’s most untouched areas.
With a $6 million renovation underway, La Amada Residences has announced the launch of sales for its luxury mid-rise condominiums. By the winter of 2017, the property will feature a new fitness club, upscale gourmet food shop and a new Beach Club. Prices are set to begin at $300,000’s and range over $1.3 million.
Throughout five unique buildings, there will be 140 residences. Floor plans will range from one- to three-bedrooms and interiors will span from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet.
Purposefully designed for its beach-centric location, the collection of residences effortlessly connects indoor and outdoor living with large glass sliding doors and outdoor spaces from expansive terraces to rooftop decks.
Owners and their guests will also enjoy private access to a swim-up bar, tennis and paddleball courts, cabana and barbeque spaces, a world-class gym and more.
“La Amada Residences has found a piece of virtually untouched Mexican landscape that combines the serene escape each of us long for with elements of adventure we never knew we were missing,” said Julie Quigley, sales director for La Amada Residences. “We are thrilled to launch sales on this piece of paradise and invite future residents to celebrate everything Playa Mujeres has to offer.”
Photo courtesy of La Amada Residences
As summer approaches and the peso hits an all-time low, travelers are thinking of new ways to stretch the American dollar and reach new-found forms of luxury. With this in mind, we’ve comprised details on four top-tier resorts and residences that offer not only a beachfront oasis, but truly showcase how people are exporting their lifestyles internationally from the Edible Gardens of Cabo to the Lock-and-Leave residences of Playa Mujeres.
Below is more information including brief property descriptions, their incredible list of amenities and what comes with a $1 million price tag.
Cabo’s All Inclusive Eco-Friendly Escape: 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo
1 Hotel & Homes Cabo is a limited offering of 55 for-sale branded luxury “1 Homes.” The first international residences from mission-driven brand 1 Hotel, 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo is already 50% pre-sold, with completion slated for 2018.
Floorplans: One to seven bedrooms, including a collection of beach-front villas.
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – in the heart of the city within an oasis of its’ own.
Highlights:
- A 115-room environmentally-responsible hotel
- Four swimming pools
- 24-hour concierge
- Seed Spa
- Eco-conscious
- Dinning/cooking school concept El Mercado
Pricing: $600,000’s – $7,000,000
Paradise on Untouched Locale, Playa Mujeres: La Amada Residences
La Amada is a private new collection of 215 fully completed spectacular residences, located within Playa Mujeres, a private community with its own Marina and a spectacular Greg Norman designed golf course.
Floorplans: One, two and three-bedroom condominium homes are also available featuring gourmet kitchen with ocean, marina, or lagoon views.
Location: As the only residential offering in Playa Mujeres, La Amada is just a 15 minute drive from Cancun.
Highlights:
- Full suite of concierge services and amenities.
- Brand new beach club,
- Roof-top pools
- State-of-the-art gym and a marketplace café
Pricing: $300,000’s – over $1.3 million
The Spirit of Seaside Living: Playa de la Paz
Playa de La Paz offers a collection of 23 residences that boast extraordinary, unobstructed ocean views and 600 feet of ocean frontage, endless privacy and sophisticated communal spaces to enjoy the surrounding nature.
Floorplans: One to four bedroom residence, starting at 2,900 square feet.
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico – perfectly positioned along the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Highlights:
- Oceanfront pool, fitness facility and an outdoor yoga studio
- Stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkeling
- Concierge services that can arrange off-property activities in addition to events on-site including beach barbecues and weddings
Pricing: Starting at $1 million
Living the Luxury Resort Lifestyle: Punta Mita
DINE, in conjunction with JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), have just launched the spectacular new condominium collection. Las Marietas condominiums are an exclusive enclave of 42 residences adjacent to the 18th hole of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Bahia Golf Course.
Floorplans: 3 bedroom or a 4 bedroom
Location: Nestled on a 1,500-acre private peninsula on the southwest point of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit region.
Highlights:
- Starchitect: award-winning architectural firm of HKS Hill Glazier
- Elevator access, underground parking, owner storage units
- Swimming pools, fitness center and an open-air barbecue area
Pricing: $400,000- $5 million