One&Only Mandarina

We chose the O&O Mandarina to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Everything from start to finish was superb. The Premier Panoramic Treehouse and the grounds were truly divine. In saying that, the star of the show was the service. The people were so friendly and willing to go above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Shout out to both Jorge and Lluvia for their exceptional service. Although not expected, a friendly tip from time to time is always appreciated. We were able to eat at all the restaurants and the food at each was delicious…good portion sizes as well. As mentioned in previous posts, the food and drink are pricey. Just be prepared to budget around $500-600/day for food and drink (depending on how much you drink). Overall, the resort exceeded our expectations. In saying that, it is a snoozer resort. There is no entertainment or lobby bar like you might experience at other high-end resorts in Mexico. That could be a plus for many. From a demographic perspective the crowd during our stay was mostly adults 25-50 years of age. Some tips to consider: 1. The “buggies” or golf carts are quite timely. Just give them 15 minutes. It’s simple to order them in advance via the app. It’s generally a 5-10 minute drive to get from one place to another…not bad at all. It poured every night around dinner time. The buggies are covered and no one got soaked. 2. As mentioned earlier, the resort is quiet. Head over to Allora beach bar between 2-4 PM. They have 2 for 1 happy hour on margaritas and Aperol Spritz. The staff over there is very friendly and the drinks are great. 3. Bugs are a thing here. I mean you’re in a jungle. In saying that, they have insect repellant in the room, on your patio and at the pool. The first few days the breeze was up so we didn’t feel much, but once it dies down you will get bit. Just plan accordingly…like sunscreen. In summary, this is a special place that does come with a premium price. In saying that, the resort and the staff made it worth every penny (or Peso).

We cannot say enough about our stay at One&Only Mandarina! We were celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary! The entire staff made sure to wish us a Happy Anniversary every chance they had and had so many wonderful surprises our entire trip! Our room took our breath away! We booked a treehouse and were upgraded to an ocean treehouse. What a thoughtful surprise! The staff took care of us better than we could have imagined… from our hosts, the buggy drivers, the waitstaff, all of the staff, they made us feel like we were family. The food was delicious! Breakfast at Alma each morning was so good. You can choose from the menu or buffet or both. Carao was a true dining experience. The Jetty Beach was a great place to relax and be pampered. We were there during the rainy season and loved watching the thunderstorms in the evening. The lightning displays over the ocean were mesmerizing! The jungle came to life with each storm. We cannot say enough wonderful things about our entire trip! We felt well taken care of and were truly spoiled! We hope to be back very soon!

Love it so much. It was our 2nd time at OO Mandarina and for sure will be back. This is the place of our engagement 3 years ago. This time we were reviving so much memories and the quality is excellent.

My husband and I spent three days here and it was a magical stay. The service is excellent, everyone goes out of their way to ensure that you are having a great time. Staff are friendly and helpful, the property is immaculate. There’s a reason this property is one of the top 50 in the world. Our room was stunning. We were perched on the cliff side overlooking the ocean. The views were unbelievable and we really enjoyed our own private plunge pool. Our butler and drivers were all excellent. Special shout out to Julio and Guillermo, and many other others who made our stay so special. We did zip lining, had massages at the spa (amazing!!), visited the horses at the stable, and relaxed beach side. Everything was perfect! Thank you for making our trip so wonderful, and all the attention and detail that goes into keeping the property so beautiful. We can’t wait to return!

We honestly can’t put into words how extraordinary our stay at One&Only Mandarina was. From the very beginning, everything was seamless—Ricardo Morales arranged every detail flawlessly. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by our butler Julio Garcia, and later Guillermo Uribe, which immediately set the tone for the entire trip. Our Ocean View Treehouse Villa was exactly what we had hoped for—quiet, tucked away, and perfectly private, just as we requested. Each morning, we looked forward to the peaceful 10-minute walk through the jungle path to breakfast, the best way to start the day. And, every one of the four restaurants was excellent, each meal more like an experience than just a meal. (For convenience, golf carts were also available, but we loved the walk.) One of the true highlights of our stay was the Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club on the property. A heartfelt thank you to brothers Choncho and Emi Ayala, and Manuel, for their generosity, expertise, and warm welcome. I spent three days on the trails and beach, refreshing my riding skills and even on the polo field a bit. What made it unforgettable wasn’t just the opportunity to ride, but to learn from three remarkable horsemen whose intense passion for their horses and community was so inspiring. It was far more than a lesson—it was an experience I will treasure for a long time. The spa was another standout. Sugey was exceptional—her 90-minute deep tissue massage went far beyond expectations. She listened carefully to what my body needed and worked with such skill and intention that I left feeling completely renewed. Mohamed at Bastien Nail was equally outstanding—not only did my feet feel healthier, but I walked away with a new appreciation for the strength and importance of that foundation. We stayed at One&Only Palmilla a few years ago and have such fond memories, but Mandarina offered something altogether different. The thoughtful staff, the breathtaking jungle setting, and the unique experiences made it truly unforgettable. We are already looking forward to our return to One&Only Mandarina.