Rosewood Mandarina unveils world-class leadership team ahead of opening

NAYARIT, MEXICO – Rosewood Mandarina, a coastal reverie that seamlessly blends modern luxury with the natural beauty and rich ancestral culture of Riviera Nayarit, announce its esteemed executive leadership team in advance of its highly anticipated May 15th opening. This distinguished team of industry leaders has been deeply involved from the project’s inception, directing pre-opening operations and curating an unparalleled guest experience. Their dedication will continue through the launch and beyond, setting a new standard for ultra-luxury hospitality and transformative experiences along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

With a shared passion for innovation and excellence in hospitality, this expert team is led by Managing Director Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino, with the support of Edouard Grosmangin, Regional Vice President, Mexico and South America. The team includes Tom Puntel as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing; Felipe Tapia as Director of Food & Beverage; Jose Vicente Mascaros as Executive Chef; Marcos Rodrigues as Director of Rooms; and Aristides Carrillo as Spa Director. These seasoned professionals bring extensive expertise, visionary leadership, and a deep appreciation for Rosewood’s commitment to authenticity, laying the foundation for Rosewood Mandarina to become a benchmark for refined luxury in its opening year and beyond.

• Tom Puntel – Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing: With more than 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Tom Puntel leads commercial strategies for Rosewood Mandarina and Rosewood Mayakoba. A dynamic and results-driven strategist, Tom specializes in driving revenue growth, elevating brands, and orchestrating market expansion for premier luxury resorts. His career includes leadership roles across sales, marketing, public relations, branding, and revenue management. He joined Rosewood Hotel Group in November 2023 as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing, coming on to support the established Rosewood Mayakoba and to lead commercial efforts for the upcoming Rosewood Mandarina. He has also held leadership positions with Waldorf Astoria and Hyatt, spearheading marketing and sales initiatives that enhanced brand presence and revenue performance. At Rosewood Mandarina, Tom is leading initiatives to position the resort as an unrivaled destination in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Guided by Rosewood’s signature philosophy of A Sense of Place, he is crafting transformative sales and marketing strategies that highlight the resort’s breathtaking natural surroundings, thoughtful design, and unparalleled guest experiences.
• Felipe Tapia – Director of Food & Beverage: A visionary in luxury dining, Felipe Tapia joins Rosewood Mandarina as Director of Food & Beverage with more than a decade of international experience and a passion for culinary artistry. Felipe has led dining operations at renowned properties such as The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, W Shanghai The Bund, and The Sanya EDITION. Felipe’s expertise has earned global recognition, including accolades such as Marriott International’s Top 52 Restaurants award, and collaborations with prestigious luxury brands like LVMH and DIOR. Felipe joined Rosewood Mandarina in October 2024 to lead the culinary vision across the resort’s four exquisite venues – ncluding a cliffside craft cocktail bar; a refined Japanese Nikkei concept offering an elevated journey rooted in authenticity; a communal Mexican cocina at the heart of the resort with distinct experiences from morning to night; and a relaxed beachside restaurant channeling coastal ease and flavor – alongside locally inspired in-suite dining and bespoke banquet services. Complementing this diverse culinary landscape, Felipe developed a beverage program that reflects the resort’s deep cultural connection, drawing from indigenous rituals, sacred plants, and the four elements – earth, water, fire, and air—to deliver an immersive cocktail experience rooted in Riviera Nayarit’s ancestral traditions. With bold creativity and a refined sense of place, he is creating immersive culinary experiences that blend local flavors with global sophistication, establishing each of Rosewood Mandarina’s food and beverage venues as distinctive destinations themselves.
• Jose Vicente Mascaros – Executive Chef: A globally celebrated culinary virtuoso, Jose Vicente Mascaros brings 20 years of international experience to his role as Executive Chef at Rosewood Mandarina. Throughout his illustrious career, Chef Jose has honed his expertise at prestigious properties worldwide, consistently elevating the dining experiences of renowned establishments. Chef Jose’s tenure with Rosewood began in 2016 at Rosewood Phnom Penh in Cambodia, where he played an instrumental role in its pre-opening success as Chef de Cuisine. He continued as Executive Sous Chef at Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid, where his visionary leadership contributed to the hotel’s esteemed reputation and industry recognition. Beyond Rosewood, Chef Jose has shaped the culinary landscapes of elite resorts and fine dining establishments, including the award-winning Epicurean Group in Hong Kong and Destino Hotel in Ibiza. At Rosewood Mandarina, Chef Jose is introducing a highly curated experience celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage. With a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence, Rosewood Mandarina’s culinary programming highlights indigenous cooking techniques and the vibrant customs of the Huichol and Cora community.  Collaborating closely with local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors, he creates menus that honor the region’s history while embracing modern innovation.
• Marcos Rodrigues – Director of Rooms: With more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Marcos Rodrigues steps into his role as Director of Rooms at Rosewood Mandarina with an impressive track record of service excellence. His leadership at prestigious properties such as Four Seasons Nevis, Amanyara in Turks & Caicos, and Laucala Island Resort in Fiji has consistently elevated operational standards and guest experiences. Renowned for spearheading sustainability initiatives, implementing impactful upselling strategies, and fostering seamless cross-department collaboration, Marcos has driven measurable improvements in guest satisfaction and operational efficiency throughout his career. Having joined Rosewood Mandarina in October 2024, he is redefining the art of personalized service through innovation and cultural authenticity, ensuring an unforgettable guest experience.
• Aristides Carrillo – Wellness & Retail Director: Seasoned wellness expert Aristides Carrillo brings two decades of luxury hospitality experience, making him the ideal leader for Rosewood Mandarina’s spa operations. His transformative roles at The Ritz-Carlton, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad by Hilton have earned widespread acclaim, with his spa concepts receiving multiple prestigious awards. Aristides is celebrated for his strategic vision in holistic wellness, which includes revitalizing Sandos Hotels’ Spa del Mar and launching award-winning spas in Mexico and the Caribbean. His ability to integrate wellness with recreation has resulted in enriching guest experiences tailored to all travelers. Appointed as Rosewood Mandarina’s Wellness & Retail Director in November 2024, Aristides leads the introduction of Asaya Spa to the Mexican market—a sanctuary of renewal and exploration, weaving together indigenous rituals and modern wellness philosophies to create a transformative spa experience. Under his leadership, this groundbreaking wellness destination sets a new benchmark for luxury spa experiences in Mexico. In addition to his work with Asaya, Aristides also oversees the hotel’s curated retail offerings and the children’s programming at the Explorers Club.

A New Era of Luxury on the Riviera Nayarit

Opening this Spring, Rosewood Mandarina is nestled within 53 acres of untouched jungle and pristine coastline along Riviera Nayarit, just 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport via the newly built highway. The all-suite resort features 134 bespoke accommodations, including three specialty suites and two ultra-private villas. Each suite offers a private plunge pool while the villas feature glistening full-sized pools, all with breathtaking views of the ocean, mountains, or sweeping flatlands.

Inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous Huichol and Cora peoples, the resort highlights design elements and motifs deeply rooted in the vibrant cultures of these communities. Guests can indulge in world-class amenities, including four beachfront pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the innovative Asaya Spa, diverse dining venues, and the interactive Rosewood Explorers program for young travelers.

With an unrivaled executive leadership team guiding its journey helmed by Managing Director Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino, Rosewood Mandarina is poised to deliver an immersive luxury experience that is sophisticated, transformative, and deeply authentic.

The article Rosewood Mandarina unveils world-class leadership team ahead of opening first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.