Amanvari, the first resort in Mexico from luxury hospitality operator Aman, has opened with 18 casitas positioned above the coastline, beside an estuary and directly on the beach.
Located near La Ribera on the East Cape of Baja California Sur, the resort was designed by architecture practice Elastic Architects. The firm looked to the peninsula’s island-like geography and the isolation of its remote landforms when planning the accommodation.
Most of the casitas occupy elevated positions, while others stand either beside the estuary or directly on the sand.
Water and elevation create a sense of separation
Elastic Architects developed the design around what the firm calls “islandness”. Elevated spaces give guests a feeling of isolation, while water around the areas at ground level makes them appear as individual islands.
Picture windows frame the estuary, vegetation and sea. Courtyards and open-air terraces open the rooms to the outdoors. Palms shade parts of the accommodation, while the elevated casitas look across the Sea of Cortés and towards the Sierra de la Laguna mountains.
Each casita measures 82m2 and has a terrace, private heated pool and outdoor shower. Beachfront casitas provide direct access to the sand, while estuary casitas stand beside the water. Horizon casitas occupy elevated ground and include wraparound sundecks.
Sand tones and natural materials run through the interiors
The interiors use natural materials and a palette based on the colours of the surrounding terrain. Bespoke ceramics and original works by local artists appear in the accommodation.
Large glazed openings face the terraces, courtyards and landscape. Depending on the accommodation type, the casitas contain indoor living areas and bathrooms with soaking tubs and indoor and outdoor showers.
The resort contains a spa with six private treatment rooms and two Hydro Houses incorporating banya and hammam facilities. A 24-hour fitness centre and a contemporary temazcal, a traditional sweat lodge, are also included.
Dining is divided among Japanese, Italian and Baja-influenced venues, with a separate lounge.
Amanvari residences remain under construction
Amanvari forms part of Costa Palmas, a 1,500-acre resort and residential community beside the Sea of Cortés. The estate contains 18 acres of organic orchards and farms.
Irongate, a full-service real estate company specialising in luxury resort and branded-residential communities, is behind Costa Palmas. Desarrolladora La Ribera is developing the Aman-branded real estate, using the Aman name and trademarks under licence.
The 18-casita resort is complete and open, while the Amanvari Residences remain under construction.
The residential development includes beachfront, estuary, ocean-view and golf villas. Beachfront homes have four to ten-bedroom floor plans, while the ocean-view villas range from four to six bedrooms. The ocean-view homes comprise pavilions linked by courtyards and outdoor waterways. Courtyards and walkways connect the pavilions of the golf villas.
Elastic Architects’ project team was led by principal architects Ria Xenou and Alexandros Xenos, with Enrique Mangalindan as partner. Myrto Tsarouchi and Laura Abanil served as design directors, while Hayes Davidson produced the CGI visuals.
Images: Courtesy of Elastic Architects
