If you’ve never had the chance to experience an Aman hotel—or wish there were more opportunities to do so in the Western Hemisphere—we’ve got some news that will have you itching to start packing. Officially announced today, the legendary luxury brand will in 2020 unveil a new boutique hotel and collection of private residences on the East Cape of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, just 45 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport. Dubbed Amanvari (from the Sanskrit-derived words for “peace” and “water”), the serene getaway will be set along the shores of the Sea of Cortez, and backed by views of the Sierra de la Laguna range.
The hotly anticipated arrival will occupy the westernmost section of the 1,000-acre Costa Palmas development, which will also house a Four Seasons resort and residences (opening in 2019), a 250-slip marina, beach and yacht clubs, a Robert Trent Jones II–designed golf course, 18 acres of organic farms, and nearly two miles of swimmable white-sand beach (a rarity in a region known for heavy undertows). “It is an incredible honor and a dream come true to have an Aman resort at Costa Palmas,” says Jason Grosfeld, chairman and CEO of California-based real estate firm Irongate, the developers of the project. “And it is a testament to the beauty of the area, [with its] unique combination of desert, mountains, and palm oasis, that Aman has selected Costa Palmas to be their first destination in Mexico.”
The renderings of the new Aman resort look almost futuristic.
Courtesy of Aman
Designed by architects Heah & Co with a detail-oriented, “habitat as art” aesthetic, Amanvari’s 20 contemporary (verging on futuristic) accommodations will each be set in an individual bilevel pavilion, for maximum privacy. Perched on stilts, the second floor will house the bedroom, living space, wrap-around decks, and a cantilevered private pool, while the ground floor’s indoor/outdoor lounging areas, adorned with hammocks and fire pits, will appear to melt seamlessly into the surrounding estuaries and sand dunes. Three food and beverage outlets, a hot tub–ringed infinity pool, a breezy library, and a spa pavilion will round out the resort, which has been designed to be as low-impact as possible to allow the dramatic setting to be the star.
If tourist-favorite Baja seems an odd choice for a brand known for off-the-beaten-path locations and authentic cultural experiences, note that this isn’t the Cabo of your spring break memories. Costa Palmas is set on the opposite side of the airport from the main Cabo corridor, in a relatively untouched part of the East Cape primarily home to farms, fishing villages, and the occasional wild horse, and the Aman section of the development feels particularly remote. Found at the end of a community dirt road, and dotted with freshwater pools and a century-old mango orchard, “This section of the land truly has a different feel and energy—the air even feels different!—so it really called out for a brand that would make the most of the wild, raw natural beauty,” explains Sarah Evans, Irongate’s managing director. “And when you look at the luxury hotel landscape, Aman is the clear choice.” Visits to local ranches, tours with resident biologists, fishing expeditions, and the chance to dive with migrant whales are some of the unique experiences that will highlight the destination, while tailored service, a focus on design, and a premium on privacy will showcase the Aman philosophy. And 2020 isn’t that far away, right?
For more information, visit costapalmas.com
