One&Only
Iconic. Individual. Experience-rich.
A promontory in the Pacific, a jungle ridge above the coast, a peninsula at the edge of a national park - One&Only does not build large hotel complexes in tourist hotspots. Each of the around fourteen resorts worldwide – from the Maldives to Rwanda to Montenegro – is an architectural unique, not a repeated concept. In Mexico, this is seen in two distinctly different locations: as a treehouse resort in the jungle of the Riviera Nayarit, designed by the Japanese star architect Kengo Kuma, and as a legend at the tip of the Baja Peninsula in Los Cabos.
What makes One&Only special
One&Only does not build a chain in the traditional sense. Instead of repeating a concept, the brand chooses a few extraordinary locations – a private promontory, a peninsula by a national park, a jungle slope above the Pacific – and designs each resort as an independent architectural statement for that one specific place. No house looks the same as another, and no lobby resembles that of the sister resort on the other side of the world.
The second principle of the brand is experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Gorilla trekking with conservation experts in Rwanda, ski heli-tours in Montana, a private dinner on a spa island in Mauritius – One&Only consistently thinks beyond the classic beach hotel repertoire. In Mexico, this means: wellness with knowledgeable healers in Los Cabos and private desert safaris on the Baja Peninsula.
Locations that you won't find a second time
Worldwide, the portfolio ranges from over-water villas in the Maldives to a peninsula at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to one of the few European locations of the brand, right on the Adriatic in Montenegro. At One&Only, the location is never a backdrop, but the starting point of the architecture.
In Mexico, this is evident at two very contrasting coasts. One&Only Mandarina on the Riviera Nayarit was designed by the Japanese Pritzker Prize winner Kengo Kuma: treehouses on stilts that nestle into the jungle slope, the Pacific directly below, and the rainforest just behind the terrace. At the other end of the country, at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, lies One&Only Palmilla – a staple in Los Cabos for many decades and still one of the few houses on this Pacific coast with a truly swimmable beach.
Why we love One&Only
We appreciate that the spectacular here never comes at the expense of service. The houses are designed to be large but are personally managed. And they dare to have character: a restaurant by Jean-Georges, a horseback riding ranch in the jungle, a spa that is more of a facility than a room – and in Mandarina, an architecture that has garnered international attention.
Who One&Only is the right choice for
One&Only is right for you if a trip should make an impression – for a honeymoon, a milestone birthday, or simply because you desire great moments. Families are also well taken care of: the kids' and teen programs are well thought out and implemented.
The brand is less suitable if you are looking for a small, quiet boutique house and are mainly focusing on the large, mostly touristy highlights and destinations.
Signature experiences
- Locations with wow effect: Cliffs, peninsulas, and jungle ridges instead of interchangeable beach stretches
- World-class architecture: Mandarina delights with treehouses that intertwine with the jungle instead of dominating it
- Cuisine with names: Restaurants by top chefs, such as SEARED by Jean-Georges Vongerichten in Los Cabos
- KidsOnly and teen programs: Offers that engage children with nature and culture instead of just occupying them
- Private villas: private pools, butler service, and enough distance for true privacy
Our experience – and what we recommend
We recommend One&Only when a trip needs a highlight – and even if you want to experience two very different coasts of Mexico. We particularly like:
- One&Only Mandarina – treehouses and cliff villas above the Pacific, designed by Kengo Kuma, plus a ranch in the jungle of the Riviera Nayarit
- One&Only Palmilla – the classic in Los Cabos, awarded 2 Michelin Keys in 2024 and still never museum-like
Both can be nicely combined with a round trip through the colonial highlands. We are happy to assist you with your individual travel planning.