“ACRE is a jungle oasis in the middle of the desert. When you drive the dirt road and get to us for the first time, trust me when I say, you are stunned at what you come across.”
We’re in great company with Stuart McPherson, Co-Founder and Owner of ACRE Resort, 25 acres of abundant greenery, featuring elegant treehouses, organic farms, private event spaces, and an award-winning bar and restaurant, tucked in the foothills of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
Stuart and his fellow Canadian comrade and Co-Founder, Cameron Watt traveled to Los Cabos for a short getaway over 10 years ago and never left, falling in love with the lush land, the serene beaches, and the values of their local Mexican culture and community.
As people all around the world celebrate Mexican cultural heritage this Cinco De Mayo, Stuart passionately portrays what that cultural connection and celebration means to him, his team and his guests that now call ACRE home, time and time again.
Top Takeaways
[1:35] How two Canadian comrades, Stuart McPherson and Cameron Watt came to Los Cabos for a short getaway from their world of finance, and found themselves wanting to stay forever. And stay they did.
[10:10] There is so much more to experience about Mexican culture outside of Cinco De Mayo, as Stuart learned the importance of family, pride in hard work ethic, and commitment to his neighbors.
[16:00] Sustainability was not part of Stuart’s world prior to building ACRE Resort, but it now makes up most of it today in every aspect from furniture design to farm to table dining.
[20:30] How the devastation from Hurricane Odile back in 2014 turned out to be the best change of course for ACRE Resort to become what it is today.
[22:15] From a farm to table restaurant to fractional ownership villas and now a treehouse hotel, Stuart and his team have been busy bringing ACRE Resort to life - and the rankings and awards from Travel + Leisure, Cosmopolitan and Architectural Digest have taken notice.
[27:00] Expect to explore the grounds full of mango & citrus orchards, organic farms, an animal sanctuary with resident chickens, pigs, ducks, horses, donkeys, peacocks and even a camel.
[33:10] With a new chef at the helm collaborating with ACRE’s farmers, the farm to table concept is thriving more than ever with fresh salads, sides, sauces, and cocktail garnishments galore.
[36:40] After a trip to Oaxaca to see rural agave farms and small batch mezcal being made at its source, Stuart knew this bespoke craft was too good to be kept a secret and thus La Tierra de ACRE Mezcal was born.
[43:30] What's to come at ACRE Resort…between a potential beachfront property, a mountainside hotel expansion, and much more in store.
Notable Mentions
- La Tierra de ACRE Mezcal
- La Lupita Taco & Mezcal
- Tamarindos Farm To Table
- District Eat & Drink
- Art Walk San Jose del Cabo
