welcome to Fashion’s finest staya travel series that brings a fashion editor’s perspective to the world of hospitality. Here we give you exclusive inside access to the world’s most famous hotels and resorts, revealing all the details you want to know before you book.
Impressing luxury travelers has never been more difficult. Farm-to-table dining, world-class service, countless amenities, and the rare ability to make you feel like you’re the only guest on the property are no longer a differentiator, they’re an expectation. The trending stylish hotels of 2026 don’t excel in just one area, they offer a great overall experience. That’s exactly why rosewood mandarina is the latest favorite among the fashion and savvy travel set.
Rosewood Mandarina is located in Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Set on 565 acres, it’s grand in size yet feels very intimate. This is more like a private world than a resort. It unfolds in a lush landscape where jungle, beaches, and mountains intersect, creating an environment that instantly justifies every mile it takes to get there.
It’s only been open for a little over a year (opened in April 2025), so it’s far from being accessible to everyone. However, I was lucky enough to visit at the end of May and quickly realized that it had all the charm it had to offer. The world-class experience began from the moment we landed. A private driver met me at the airport and took me through the gate (tight security so I immediately felt safe, I might add). We were welcomed with a divine tejuno (a fusion drink of pineapple and fermented corn) served in a beautiful ceramic cup. It was a thoughtful introduction to a three-night stay defined by warm hospitality, local culture, and meticulous attention to detail. Continue reading to discover the luxury and endless experiences that Rosewood Mandarina offers and We’ve packed the top trends for summer fashion travel.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
The first thing you notice when you arrive at Rosewood Mandarina is the feeling that you have entered a unique world carved between rainforest-covered mountains and the sea. A sense of calm immediately settles over you, grounding you in nature and setting the tone for the restorative and magical stay that is about to begin.
After a seamless check-in process, you’ll be introduced to your personal butler, who will act as your personal point of contact for the duration of your stay. Whether you’re completing a dinner reservation, booking an excursion, ordering room service, or requesting to pull a bath for a relaxing evening, they’ll be there for you. Your butler will then show you around the facility. For me, this started with sharing insight into how Rosewood Mandarina honors Mexican culture through art and design.
The impact cannot be overlooked. The lobby’s roof and walls are made from a material that looks like rope, inspired by the looms used by indigenous peoples to make clothing thread by thread. There is also beautiful Huichol beadwork known as “Chaquila”. According to the butler, it is made by placing beads one by one. The resort also features colorful murals, stamped linen canvases, and beaded animal figurines created by artists with Mexican roots and strong ties to the Pacific Coast. Rosewood Mandarina also celebrates its Mexican heritage at The Artisan Boutique, located right on the beach, with a carefully selected selection of Mexican pottery, fabrics, fabrics, and authentic crafts that reflect the region’s textures and traditions.
After exploring the lobby, you’ll be transported to your suite or villa by private golf cart. You can immediately see that the design of this property clearly prioritizes guest privacy. Some accommodations are paired within the same structure, but each has its own passageway and entrance. I stayed in the Flatland Suite, which is located on the lowest level part of the property, but there are also Mountain Suites with ocean views, Poolside Suites, Poolside Villas, and Mountain Top Villas. Regardless of type, each property is just as picturesque and spacious as its neighbors, with private plunge pools, bathtubs, outdoor showers, terraces, and butler service.
For those wondering if I’ll be back, the answer is simple. The Rosewood Mandarina had everything and it was enough time for us to stay for 3 nights, but it wasn’t long enough.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
Rosewood Mandarina offers the perfect service for those looking to relax. and For those who want an adventure. Experiences include booking a guided hike through the rainforest to see an ancient tree called La Abuela, ziplining through the jungle, surfing in the Pacific Ocean, and taking tennis or pickleball lessons. The facility features a nine-hole par-3 course, as well as additional challenge holes. Don’t miss the polo and equestrian center. Guests can enjoy horseback riding and polo lessons, as well as trail rides leading to the beach. You might be able to watch a polo tournament. Finally, cooking and cocktail making classes will also be held.
During my stay, I attended a cooking class which was highly recommended. It was very practical. We learned how to make homemade corn tortillas using a roller and then a tortilla press. We also made guacamole and salsa using a molcajete (a tool carved by hand from volcanic rock). The class concluded with an opportunity to enjoy creative dishes with chicken and steak fajitas.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
The culinary experience at Rosewood Mandarina is so special that you don’t have to travel outside the resort to dine. Guests can enjoy three distinct restaurants and Barra Peñasco, a cliffside cocktail bar with a tree house-inspired aesthetic. During my visit, it was staffed full-time by Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy. This Handshake speakeasy is now known as the second best bar in the world for its creative mixology and inviting atmosphere.
When it comes to food, there is a wide range of choices, from sophisticated Japanese cuisine to coastal Spanish cuisine. Headed by Chef Diego Muñoz, Toppu is a mountaintop Japanese restaurant with an open hearth, sushi counter, and special rooms that can accommodate large parties. The menu features everything from traditional tuna cut rolls to marinated fried chicken. For Spanish cuisine, head to Buena Onda, a casual beachside restaurant. We offer everything from grilled seafood and tapas to paella and sangria. I highly recommend making a reservation for sunset time. Last but not least is Buena Onda, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu captures the essence of true Mexican comfort food, including tortilla soup, ceviche, and crudo.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
Asaya Spa is one of the most special places on the property. Its square layout, designed around two majestic ancient Parota trees, creates a tranquil sanctuary where you feel deeply connected to the natural world. Towering trees provide a powerful, grounding energy, symbolizing our connection to Mother Earth and nature. Even if you don’t book a treatment, I highly recommend going just to see the spa.
More than just a beautiful design, the spa offers endless wellness experiences. It features a 24-hour fitness center, Wixarika-inspired treatments, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool. I enjoyed a customized deep tissue massage with aromatic oils selected for my goals for the day: faith, resilience, visualization, and mindfulness. My therapist, Linda, began the treatment by rubbing oil on her hands and placing it on my nose, encouraging me to breathe in its earthy scent and relax my body. The massage itself was thoughtful and restorative, and every movement felt like it had a purpose. She ended the experience with a soothing sound bath.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
During my stay, I had the opportunity to attend a wellness retreat hosted by a Pilates instructor. amanda casser of core club Although I wasn’t “officially” attending the retreat in Los Angeles, I was welcomed into the experience and quickly understood why so many women attend Kasser’s events and classes every day.
“I chose Rosewood Mandarina because the property provided a great location to take all my classes,” Kasser said. “Done [have a class] “In the jungle, next to the beach, on top of a mountain with a view, under a sacred tree.” She also says there’s plenty for guests at the retreat to do in their free time, including tennis, pickleball, hiking and horseback riding. “The spa is also amazing, you don’t have to go out and the food and hospitality is unparalleled,” he added.
The retreat attracted an incredible group of women, many of whom were long-time members of the Cassar community. What stood out was not just the background of the Pilates sessions and the results I saw and felt in my body after just two classes, but the genuine connections that were formed. There was a sense of peace and camaraderie there that felt both rare and refreshing.
“What sets my retreat apart from other retreats is the community I build,” Kasser says. “People enjoy spending time with each other, seeing each other, working out together, and it really creates that connection.”
Although the Pilates classes were held twice a day (one at 7 a.m. and one at 5 p.m.), the retreat felt less like a fitness vacation and more like an opportunity to reconnect with myself and others. This was Core Club’s first retreat at Rosewood Mandarina, but Mr. Kasser told me he wanted to return to the facility. She also has her eye on rosewood Mayakoba. So keep your eyes peeled. I know it will happen.
(Image credit: @nikki.chwatt)
Packing a Rosewood Mandarina requires a suitcase that balances adventure and luxury. One moment you might be hiking, ziplining, or doing a sunrise workout, and the next you might be settling into a lounge chair with no place to be but the beach, and then having a drink at a cocktail bar that looks a lot like a treehouse.
For the active side of the trip, I packed leggings, sports shorts, a sports bra, and a lightweight tank. Thankfully, I also brought a light, sporty layer to throw on over my athleisure for an early morning workout. The rest of my wardrobe was centered around easy resort dresses.
During the day, she wore bikinis or one-piece swimsuits, oversized linen button-down shirts, sarongs, and colorful flip-flops, complete with beaded necklaces and various raffia bags. Chic beach tote bags are provided in the guest rooms for guests to use, so don’t worry if you forget them.
At night, you want a slightly elevated version of the same effortless seaside aesthetic. I packed three lightweight, neutral maxi dresses and styled them with fun accessories like a beaded pouch bag and bold earrings. For shoes, I alternated between black and ivory kitten heel flip-flops. The heel area has been polished, but still has a casual, relaxed edge from the thong design. And, as any luxury traveler in 2026 knows, protecting your skin from the sun is essential, so we must add that a spray tan is a must for any warm-weather vacation. I got it from golden girls I can’t recommend it more highly in New York. My natural, long-lasting tan is the perfect finish and makes me feel confident in any outfit.
what to pack
thistle
atlas sunglasses
mango
leather strap sandals
monday swimwear
palma top
See more:
Source: Latest from Who What Wear – www.whowhatwear.com
