Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® has announced the appointment of Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino as Managing Director of Rosewood Mandarina, the brand’s fourth property in Mexico opening in early 2025. As of August 1, 2024, Juan Carlos is responsible for overseeing all launch efforts and operations for the resort, which resides in the exquisite region of Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s breathtaking Pacific Coast.
A Spanish, English, and French speaker, Juan Carlos is a seasoned hotelier with nearly 20 years of hospitality experience leading teams across Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and North and South America. He said: “As Managing Director of Rosewood Mandarina, I look forward to upholding the exceptional hospitality for which Rosewood is renowned, all while creating a unique destination that resonates with our guests and team members. Having worked in Mexico on and off since 2005, I have a passion for the warm style of hospitality that the country exudes and am eager to create an environment that embraces connection and camaraderies at Rosewood Mandarina.”
Over the course of his career, Juan Carlos has worked his way through all areas of hospitality, originally entering the industry as a Maître D’ and going on to excel across multiple divisions, with titles including Room Service Manager, Director of Food and Beverage and, most recently, General Manager. He joins Rosewood from Banyan Tree Mayakoba, where he served in this position since 2021. Throughout his impressive history working across leading hospitality groups including Banyan Tree, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Baha Mar resorts and more, Juan Carlos has perfected the art of crafting exceptional guest experiences and leading high performing teams. Now, Juan Carlos will apply a lifetime of luxury hospitality to his role as Managing Director of Rosewood Mandarina, offering highly curated and intentional experiences that facilitate discovery and immerse guests in the destination’s unique sense of place.
Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are so pleased to have Juan Carlos join the Rosewood team and bring to life our vision for Rosewood Mandarina, a destination that has been nearly a decade in the making. This highly-anticipated resort will not only enhance Rosewood’s presence in Mexico, but globally, as it is poised to offer a much differentiated experience rooted in the unique culture of the Riviera Nayarit. We look forward to sharing Rosewood Mandarina with our guests and are proud to have Juan Carlos at the helm.”
Located on Mexico’s prized Pacific Coast about 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Rosewood Mandarina has been designed in harmony with its surroundings and will immerse guests in three mystical ecosystems – the ocean, the mountains and the flatlands. The beachfront property will draw inspiration from the local, pre-Hispanic Huichol and Cora cultures, combining modern luxury and comfort with the riches of its extraordinary setting. It will be home to 134 suites, each adorned with private terraces, plunge pools, and stunning panoramic vistas across the mountains, beach and Pacific Ocean coastline. Guests will be able to choose from five bars and restaurants ranging from a specialty restaurant at the top of a mountain, to a beach shack on the shore. It will also feature four pools, an Asaya® Spa, and expansive fitness facilities.
Juan Carlos resides in Riviera Nayarit. He holds a degree in hospitality and tourism management, as well as an Associate of Science in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management.
