Rosewood Mandarina

The spa was a highlight of our two-day stay at Rosewood Mandarina. It was peaceful and beautiful, with a serene setting, and the treatments were top-notch. It felt like a real escape. The property sits between jungle and ocean, with stunning views all around. The design, including the rooms and their thoughtful little touches, was lovely. Service was warm, attentive, and genuine without being intrusive. The whole visit exceeded our expectations, even though it was short. We can't wait to return for longer.

Everyone made my first stay at Rosewood Mandarina feel special. The resort is beautiful and relaxing, and I felt the same warmth and genuine care I know from my frequent stays at Rosewood Mayakoba. It felt like home, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. I'd like to recognize the whole team: front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, chefs and waiters, butlers, pool and beach staff, and bellboys. Everyone was wonderful and made the stay unforgettable.

Our suite and the spa were standout parts of our five nights at Rosewood Mandarina in early December 2025. The Poolside Studio Suite King was spacious, brand new, and carefully designed, with excellent daily housekeeping and nightly turndown. The bed was a little firm but comfortable. We loved the warm, private plunge pool and its ocean views and corner sunsets. The outdoor shower, though, was fully exposed to views from other rooms and walkways. Maybe the foliage will cover it in a year or two, but right now it makes no sense. We also had two nights in a row when a baby in the connected suite cried at 1-2AM and woke us up. The walls seemed thin, so we slept with earplugs. The resort was well below capacity, which made the decision to put a couple with an infant beside a young couple hard to understand. There are four similar pools at different temperatures, and the warmer pools above were especially pleasant. There was plenty of seating at the pools and beach, and service was attentive, especially Freddie. The beach is beautiful, although the waves were strong while we were there. Kids were loud across all the pool areas, and there is no dedicated kids' pool. Some guests also used speakerphone and FaceTime at the beach without staff stepping in. If you're looking for the calm of Aman, COMO, or Six Senses, this may not be quite that serene. The gym had all new equipment and daily classes. Spa facilities include a sauna, steam room, and cold plunge, all usable without booking a treatment. We loved the spa scent so much that we bought some to take home. Food was arguably the best we've had at a resort. La Cocina and Buena Onda were our favourites. Toppu was good, but not a standout if you live in a major city. We also loved the cliffside speakeasy at sunset, where bartenders were happy to make drinks off-menu. From restaurants and buggy drivers to airport transfers, service was warm, professional, and welcoming. The property is lush, beautifully kept, and architecturally stunning, with an easy walk between many areas despite its size. We only needed buggies for Toppu, the Japanese restaurant, and Penasco, the speakeasy. Bikes were fun, and spotting crocodiles and birds added to the sense of place. Our arrival was smooth. After customs, the transport team met us with a modern, air-conditioned SUV stocked with drinks and snacks, and offered a stop at a grocery store or pharmacy. The 50-minute drive was easy, and check-in was warm and efficient. Since the room wasn't ready, we had a quick buggy tour and learned about a baby turtle release at sunset. We would have missed it otherwise. From landing to getting into the room, we felt at home and relaxed quickly.

The beachfront suites are the best part of this resort. We were steps from the waves, and the sunsets were sensational every night. The beach is beautiful for a 15-20 minute walk, with oversized, comfortable chairs, fluffy big towels, frozen coconut chocolate bananas, and cold washcloths. Rosewood Mandarina opened in May 2025, and we were excited to try it because we love the Mayakoba property. RLH Properties owns all of Mayakoba and Mandarina, including One & Only. The scale is striking, with a huge area of land, an Equestrian Center, golf course, vegetable gardens, and waterways. All told, it's a $1B+ investment. The grounds look as though the trees and vegetation have been there for years, not months. Our suite had a plunge pool and lounge chairs, 1.5 bathrooms, tons of closet space, and an oversized living area. The doors are heavy, the bathrooms lush, and the fixtures and unusual sinks world class. The property is enormous, so getting around means golf carts or bikes. Unlike at Mayakoba, bikes aren't assigned to rooms, and you have to pick one up from one of three staging areas. There are four pools arranged in a rectangle, but no adult pool or adult area like the one that redefined Mayakoba. Kids are everywhere. The spa was my biggest disappointment. It opens at 9:00, rather than 7:00 like Mayakoba, and has no pool, jacuzzi, outdoor shower, outdoor yoga area, or outdoor relaxation lounge. The fitness center is very nice, with all TechnoGym equipment, and there are two indoor yoga and mat rooms. Please add two Peloton bikes. La Cocina, their casual all-day beachfront restaurant, was incredible, and I wrote a full review for it. Toppu, the signature restaurant at the top of the mountain, has sweeping views, but our table was in an enclosed area with no view even though the restaurant was nearly empty. The food was average for the very high prices. My favourite was the most casual place, Buena Onda, a beach shack right on the sand with 12 tables. It's first come, first served. The kitchen uses a wood-burning oven for everything, with nothing fried. It's all fresh, and the crispy house-made bread with four dipping sauces was among the best bread service I've had. We ordered green salad, whole chicken, and baked potatoes, but service was a problem. After more than an hour, everything came out at once. It wasn't a Rosewood moment. The bathrooms are the star of the property. Each must have cost a small fortune, and they were perfectly clean, with fresh flowers in every one. You won't find a single urinal, and most are unisex. Staff were an issue. Marco, the room manager, was the hero. We met him on the first day, and he was on the property every day and took care of problems. The resort had only been open seven months, so I hope the kinks are worked out by our visit next year. We've stayed at more than 100 beach resorts, and I'd put these beachfront suites at the top, especially for the sunsets. RLH's investment is massive, and the grounds are beautiful. It's definitely one to put on your bucket list.