Aman is opening one of its smallest resorts on Baja California’s East Cape. Eighteen casitas sit between desert, estuary and the Sea of Cortez – in a landscape that was a destination in its own right long before the first hotel arrived.
Some landscapes make you wonder why you haven’t been there sooner. Baja California’s East Cape is almost certainly one of them. On one side lies the arid expanse of the Mexican peninsula, backed by the Sierra de la Laguna; on the other, the Sea of Cortez. Between them are estuaries, long beaches and an underwater world Jacques Cousteau once called the “Aquarium of the World”. This is where Aman is opening its new resort, Amanvari.
The name combines the Sanskrit words for peace and water, and the meeting of these landscapes shapes the entire project. Amanvari sits within the private Costa Palmas development on the east coast of Baja California Sur. Just 18 freestanding casitas line the water, some raised above the estuary, others closer to the beach. Elastic developed the resort from an initial concept by Heah & Co. The architecture makes no attempt to compete with the landscape. White concrete, timber and stone form a deliberately restrained palette, while large openings frame sea, sky and desert. Each two-storey casita spans 82 square metres, with terraces of up to 200 square metres, a heated 10-metre pool, outdoor shower and fireplace. The result is an unusually generous flow between indoors and out.
Aman’s decision to limit Amanvari to just 18 casitas fits the brand’s history. Since Amanpuri opened in Phuket in 1988, much of its appeal has rested on small properties, privacy and locations that are reason enough to travel. Amanvari now brings that idea to the coast of Baja California.
Mexico remains present on the plate, too. At beachfront Luma, chefs cook over an open fire using produce from local farmers and fishermen. Arva takes an Italian direction, while Sesui serves Japanese cuisine and has an omakase counter for just ten guests. The spa marks a first for Aman, with a contemporary interpretation of the traditional temazcal, a Mexican sweat-lodge ritual. A banya, hammam, six treatment rooms and an open-air yoga pavilion complete the offering.
Still, it would be a shame to spend too long at the resort. The Sierra de la Laguna begins almost at the doorstep, horse rides cross desert and coastal terrain, and a private boat trip offers access to one of the most biodiverse marine regions. Cabo Pulmo National Park is home to a significant coral reef, while whales pass through Baja’s waters seasonally. Costa Palmas itself covers around 600 hectares, with organic farms and orchards, almost five kilometres of beach for swimming, a Robert Trent Jones II golf course and a deep-water marina. For those tempted to turn a stay into something more permanent, there are also Aman Residences.
For Aman, the opening also forms part of a wider expansion across the Americas. The group is planning further properties in Miami Beach, Beverly Hills, the Exumas and Texas Hill Country, among other destinations. Even so, Amanvari occupies a distinctive place within those plans. Just 18 casitas, a setting between desert and sea, and a region where nature still sets the pace make it one of the year’s most intriguing openings.
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