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Luxury hotel group Aman has just opened reservations for its newest resort, which has also been in the pipeline for a very, very long time. This represents the brand’s first property in Mexico, and it may have just become the country’s most expensive hotel.
In this post:
Basics of Amanvari in Costa Palmas, Mexico
Amanvari has just started accepting reservations for stays as of August 1, 2026. The resort is located in the East Cape of Baja California, in the 1,500-acre Costa Palmas complex. This complex currently has a Four Seasons, and the Aman will be the second property there. There’s also a yacht club and a bunch of residences (obviously a key financial motive for the development). To get here, you still fly into Los Cabos (SJD), and then it’s a roughly hour-long drive.
Amanvari will feature just 18 accommodations, each of which are described as contemporary casitas with sea and mountain views. Most accommodations are 82 square meters (833 square feet), each with a private heated pool, terrace, and more.
While details remain somewhat limited, the resort will feature multiple dining venues (including an Italian, Japanese, and regional inspired restaurant), and there will also be a full service spa, with a yoga pavilion, gym, etc. Below you can see the pictures that have been provided so far of the property.
It’s interesting to see this hotel finally accepting reservations, as this has to be one of the most oddly delayed projects we’ve seen in a long time. Amanvari was announced back in 2018, with a projected 2020 opening date. What’s odd is that construction progress was really impressive at the beginning.
But then there were some major delays. I’ve never been able to get a straight answer as to what caused the delays, but I imagine it must’ve had something to do with financing, or something. Admittedly there were lots of delays with things coming out of the pandemic, but this was extreme. For example, below is what the project looked like in very early 2025 (and that honestly doesn’t look so different from what I remember in 2021).
Amanvari Mexico rates & how to book
With Amanvari now being bookable, what are rates like? Given that all accommodations are just one bedroom, I think this might set the record for being Mexico’s new most expensive hotel.
The absolute cheapest rate I see throughout the year is for around $4,500 per night.
However, in peak season, rates get to $7,000+ on some nights for a standard accommodation.
Credit to Aman, those rates are at least displayed to include taxes & fees, which in Mexico, can add up to 30%+ of the cost of a stay. All rates include breakfast, in-room refreshments and non-alcoholic drinks, use of non-motorized water sports, etc.
I have no doubt that this hotel will be fantastic, and that the accommodations will be super nice. However, it’s obviously priced at the very top end of the market. Admittedly you have to compare this to higher category suites at other properties, in terms of the amount of space you get, a private pool, etc.
There is something special about Costa Palmas, because while it’s in a complex, it otherwise feels very secluded, with beautiful nature. Admittedly this is a place you’ll want to book if you primarily plan on staying in the complex, and not if you want to go out to Los Cabos every night to a different restaurant.
Aman generally has pricing parity between different booking sources, so if you are going to book, you’ll want to use something like Virtuoso. That way you can receive a property credit, an upgrade subject to availability, and more. Ford and his team can help with these requests, and can be reached at [email protected].
Bottom line
Amanvari is finally accepting reservations for stays as of August 2026, The hotel is opening around six years behind schedule, so it’s good to finally see it coming to market. This should be an incredible hotel, though of course it’s priced accordingly, and makes the adjacent Four Seasons look like a bargain, by comparison.
Costa Palmas isn’t for everyone, but if money is no object and you just want an easy beach getaway that still feels secluded, this definitely fits the bill.
What do you make of Amanvari finally opening?
key is ultra annoying
I came here to say the same thing, though I would probably use the term "pretentious" or "precious." Ben, I don't know why you have started describing hotels by number of "keys" rather than number of rooms, but it does not improve the readability of this blog to do so. It sounds like a made-up term invented by ultra-luxury hotels, and I agree with boll that it is ultra-annoying.
Key, is the term that the hotel industry has used for decades. "Ultra annoying"? Life is too short, chill.
Maybe they've used "key" for decades, but Lodging, the official magazine of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, uses both, and uses "room" more frequently, as far as I can tell. That's not counting all the articles that use neither, but say in a sentence, "The hotel has xxx rooms." https://lodgingmagazine.com/
I mean it doesn't look particularly good. The main pool seems to have a view of the jungle or golf course, like most of the villas--who wants to pay 5k for a garden view? The beach villas look okay, but at 9K per night you can do so much better, like North Island or Laucala, or the top villa at Amanera closer to home. Why was this place so hyped?
LOL!!! $7k per night to sleep in Mexico. I would not go to Mexico if someone pays me to go.
Only 18 rooms, so they won't miss you much.
If you fear all of Mexico, that's really on you (because if you stay at resorts like this you'll be just fine). Aman is also in places like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Morocco... such spooky, scary places... you'd totally be afraid each of them, too... oh, and if you think 'Africa-bad'... you'd 'hate' Singita in Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe... ahhhh!
(Shh, shh.. don't tell him what he's missing..)
I actually agree with the post above. I have been to all the countries you described above including Mexico and I have no desire to spend my money in Mexico at all. And it is not about fear at all since I have been to places/situations you probably would not go at all. Maybe Mexico is just too close to home so I don't feel like I am on a big trip, I do not...
I actually agree with the post above. I have been to all the countries you described above including Mexico and I have no desire to spend my money in Mexico at all. And it is not about fear at all since I have been to places/situations you probably would not go at all. Maybe Mexico is just too close to home so I don't feel like I am on a big trip, I do not like Mexican food and I think Mexico is absolutely overrated. So yes, I would rather spend my money in any of the countries you mentioned but Mexico.
Fairly ridiculous comments. It's a massive country with an incredibly diverse landscape. I spent 3 weeks driving all around Mexico back in January and had an amazing time. Even the colonial cities can hugely differ from each other. There is so much amazing history and endless sites and experiences. I can understand not liking the food (I personally love it, but taste is obviously subjective), but to say it's "overrated" is ridiculous. The vast majority...
Fairly ridiculous comments. It's a massive country with an incredibly diverse landscape. I spent 3 weeks driving all around Mexico back in January and had an amazing time. Even the colonial cities can hugely differ from each other. There is so much amazing history and endless sites and experiences. I can understand not liking the food (I personally love it, but taste is obviously subjective), but to say it's "overrated" is ridiculous. The vast majority of people only experience coastal Mexico and a resort, and that's a huge shame because it offers so much and the people are incredibly hospitable.
@Santastico, that's a really bizarre comment. We're talking an enormous federal country with huge differences between states/regions. Even the cuisines are very different and the statement 'I don't like Mexican food' comes across as a bit ignorant - there's no rhyme or reason in simultaneously disliking Chiapan tamales, Jalisco birria, and the rabbit dishes that are typical around CDMX.
Much of Mexico isn't for everyone - there are parts which are genuinely dangerous, some...
@Santastico, that's a really bizarre comment. We're talking an enormous federal country with huge differences between states/regions. Even the cuisines are very different and the statement 'I don't like Mexican food' comes across as a bit ignorant - there's no rhyme or reason in simultaneously disliking Chiapan tamales, Jalisco birria, and the rabbit dishes that are typical around CDMX.
Much of Mexico isn't for everyone - there are parts which are genuinely dangerous, some others where you are likely to struggle if you don't speak Spanish, and yet others which can be massively interesting when it comes to things like archaeology but without much else to offer. But claiming that the entire country isn't worth visiting is bizarre.
I did a hard hat tour while they didn't get into the specifics, the delays were due to complications on the business side, not the construction side. It's worth noting (given the rates) that there is a small private airport very close to the Costa Palmas compound and you can heli there from SJD too. The Costa Palmas property as a whole will be a great destination once all of the construction is finished, and...
I did a hard hat tour while they didn't get into the specifics, the delays were due to complications on the business side, not the construction side. It's worth noting (given the rates) that there is a small private airport very close to the Costa Palmas compound and you can heli there from SJD too. The Costa Palmas property as a whole will be a great destination once all of the construction is finished, and there's talk of the golf course there hosting some pretty major tournaments in the future.
Very cool. Always nice to see more Amans.
$4,500-7,000+/night is certified-CUCKOO BANANAS, though. Oof.
Presumably they're just trying it on and will adjust to more realistic levels in time.
That's kinda what happened at Aman NY, too. I've also noticed that they do not immediately end-up on platforms like FHR, until a little later.
That $300 FHR credit will certainly put a dent into those rates, no?
Samar, I needed a good laugh!
That's less than most ultra-luxury suites in NYC, Paris, London, Tokyo, etc, and for far more space and amenities. These prices are "normal". There are millions of people who can afford this, so filling 18 casitas shouldn't be a problem at all.