Indulging In Wellness At Palmaia The House Of AiA

I absolutely love traveling to Mexico, and I’ve had so many great experiences in different places. Generally, those vacations focus on relaxing in the warm weather at the beach or by the pools, but at Palmaia The House of AïA, I had an entirely different focus.

I came back completely relaxed and refreshed in a way I generally don’t when I return from vacation. And this feeling lasted, which was the biggest surprise for me.

I visited Palmaia as part of a press trip, but all opinions remain my own.

Some links in this article are affiliate links that may earn me a commission if you purchase through them.

The Philosophy of Palmaia

Before you book a visit, you have to understand what Palmaia The House of AïA actually is. It isn’t just another all-inclusive beach resort. It’s a dedicated holistic wellness enclave built around the philosophy of sustainability, personal growth, and plant-forward living.

Founded by Alex Ferri as a place to help others experience the life he leads daily, the resort’s holistic, plant-forward philosophy is a toned-down, accessible version of his deeply committed personal practices. He designed the House of AïA as a pristine sanctuary specifically to meet people wherever they are on their personal journeys.

While I did spend time at the beach, it was minimal compared to what I usually do at a resort. Instead, I found that I loved the wellness sessions far more than I expected to and spent the majority of my time attending them.

I’m also not vegan. I’m not even a vegetarian, and I still fell in love with the food at Palmaia. I fully admit that I went in excited to experience it, but with a few reservations because this is so different from your typical resort, and walked out a complete convert.

Where is Palmaia?

Palmaia is located in the Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen. To get there, you fly into the Cancun airport and then take a shuttle or private transport down the coast for about an hour.

When you check in, you take a golf cart through and past another family-friendly resort into what truly feels like the deep jungle to get to Palmaia. There are no roads to access Palmaia, and this is an intentional choice.

It feels like a world away from typical busy vacation spots. The jungle is on one side of you, and the ocean is on the other, a fascinating dichotomy that sets the tone for your stay.

The resort itself is incredibly pristine and quiet. There’s no loud music, no high-energy parties at the pool, and no chaotic crowds, which makes it incredibly easy to completely immerse yourself in all the sessions and treatments the resort offers.

Is Palmaia Family-Friendly?

Because the property focuses so much on restorative wellness, they’re very intentional about the guest dynamic. Currently, the resort is for ages 4 and up, but they’re moving to ages 10 and up soon, which really suits Palmaia’s quiet, restorative feel.

They also thoughtfully limit the total number of children on-site at any given time and allow only two per family. Given the type of holistic resort this is, this policy makes total sense to me and helps maintain the peaceful atmosphere everyone is looking for.

Relax in Suites With Thoughtful Details

The rooms at Palmaia are so large, gorgeous, and incredibly lovely. I had a large king-size bed, a spacious balcony, a comfortable seating area, and a deluxe bathroom.

On top of that, the rooms have a ridiculously large tub between the bed and the bathroom area. I generally don’t take baths at hotels, but here, I did.

First of all, it was probably the biggest tub I’ve ever seen to where I could literally almost lie down in it. Plus, they have bath salts there for you, along with a little table next to the tub to hold your book or whatever you need as you relax.

The fridge in the room is stocked not just with water like you’re used to, but also with kombucha, coconut water, and Felix – something that was new to me. Felix is a natural soda made with sparkling water and fruit juice. They stock the guava flavor, which is delicious and a really fun treat.

And forget packaged chocolates on your pillow. At night, there was often a homemade fun surprise left in the room. The mushroom scene was hands down my favorite and so delicious.

Utilize Your Personal Nomadic Guide

Instead of a traditional front desk, you have Nomadic Guides who act as your personal concierge. You communicate with them all day via WhatsApp as needed, which worked well for me.

They can make your dinner reservations, book any classes with limited seating, provide your daily schedule, and answer any questions you may have. The guides can coordinate getting whatever you need brought right to you, making the entire experience entirely frictionless.

They are not quite butlers, so there are definitely limits, but I found the two guides assigned to me to be very useful and kind. Because you do have two, there is someone to assist you from morning to night.

Take Advantage of the Wellness Classes

I spent the vast majority of my trip exploring the incredible programming Palamaia offers. All daily sessions are included in your resort stay, except for spa activities and one-on-one sessions, so try as many as you can.

I knew what some of the sessions were, but many others were not familiar to me before I went. Often, they were ones I might not have chosen for myself had I not been pushed to do them, but I’m so glad I did.

I started my mornings with pranayama to focus on breathwork. The first morning, I did it because it was on my schedule and I thought I should at least try it. I woke up every day after that in time for the 7am practice. Let me emphasize that I am not a morning person, and I do not generally see the sunrise.

Each day was led by a different practitioner, with a slightly different twist. I found it to be a beautiful way to center myself before the day began, and it was the perfect opening to the sessions the rest of the day.

I also attended the sound baths, which were among my favorite activities. There are variations of this throughout the week, from sound alchemy to sacred frequencies to gong baths, but they all focus on using sounds and frequencies for meditation and relaxation.

I literally had visions during two of the sessions as I lay underneath the trees in the jungle. Each time I stood up, I felt lighter and so refreshed, and I’m sad I missed the floating sound meditation, but I had another session I couldn’t miss.

The yoga sessions were another staple of my trip. They offered a wonderful physical release and helped me stretch my muscles while finding a deep sense of balance and calm in such a serene outdoor environment.

One of the most unique offerings was the moves and grooves class, which was definitely the funkiest class I took. We used tennis balls to challenge our coordination and our brains, and it was a hilarious, challenging, and joyful way to wake up my body.

I honestly can’t explain it better than that, but it’s proof that you should go to the sessions even when you aren’t sure what they are. On my last morning, I also did a Clubbells workout that was new to me, but I loved it so much that I’m trying to convince my local gym to start up a class.

I highly recommend the cacao ceremony, which is so much more than just drinking hot chocolate. It’s an ancient, heart-opening ritual that uses raw, sacred cacao to help you set intentions, release negative energy, and connect deeply with yourself and those around you in a very spiritual way.

I also participated in an incredibly moving women’s circle. It was a safe space where we all shared what holds us back in life, and the vulnerability and connection I felt with the other women in that group was something I will never forget.

Many afternoons, I participated in the art classes, which I was honestly surprised to enjoy. I’m not an artist at all, and I typically struggle with creating images, but the instructors made it so accessible and therapeutic that not only did I enjoy it, but I actually created something I was proud of.

Don’t skip the evening activities. You’ll find a live DJ at the Eolo Beach Club and my favorite, the oh so relaxing cantata of light at Aisuru, among so many other unique activities to close out your day.

While there, you’re free to participate in as many or as few of the activities as you choose. They aren’t all a great fit for everyone, but I really enjoyed the ones I chose.

Learn From Visiting Guides

In addition to the regular schedule, Palmaia frequently brings in visiting guides who offer specialized sessions. While I was there, Dan Horton offered five different sessions, in addition to the usual daily schedule, so I had to pick and choose.

I participated in some of them, and it was a fantastic addition to the trip. These special sessions fill up fast, so get there early to secure a spot. However, they were very generous and allowed more people in than the stated twelve-person limit for many of them.

The guides vary and aren’t always there, but I particularly enjoyed the Soul Body Activation, a practice to align your physical self to connect with energy around you. When not leading his own sessions, Dan joined in on others, so I saw him and chatted with him throughout my time, which was a nice extension.

Make Time for the Spa and Water Circuit

The Atlantis Spa is tucked away in the jungle and pays homage to the area’s Mayan traditions, both in its design and its offerings. Make sure to arrive at least 45 minutes before your treatment to fully enjoy the optional water circuit.

It starts with the pre-Hispanic temazcal, where they add water to heated volcanic rocks to create steam so thick we couldn’t even see, as we relaxed in the purification ritual. Just outside the lodge, the shaman poured herbed warm water over us as the second stage.

From there, we spent time in the natural cenote, which you can only access with a spa treatment. The water was cold at first, but it’s so deeply relaxing, and I almost didn’t want to get out to go to my treatment.

I did the Essence of AïA treatment during my stay, which began with a beautiful blessing, moved into a fantastic massage with hot stones, and ended with a Reiki energy-healing session. I walked out of that room feeling like an entirely different person, which was the theme of my stay at Palmaia.

Sign Up for Stretching with Angel

In addition to the spa, the resort offers some one-on-one sessions, and I had the opportunity to sign up for stretching with Angel. I thought it would be a typical stretching type class, but it wasn’t at all.

He finds exactly where you need assistance and is incredibly talented at identifying what’s blocking your body and releasing it beyond what you experience in a traditional massage. If you’re open to it, he can also share a lot of insights based on what he feels in your body as he works with you. Hands down, this session is well worth booking, and I wish I could have done it every day.

Plant Forward Dining

I have to admit that I was a little nervous that the food was vegan-focused, as I’m not vegan and I’m not a fan of highly processed fake meats that I typically see on resort menus. That wasn’t at all what this was.

The food was absolutely amazing, and I never struggled with finding just one thing to eat. In fact, I generally had the opposite problem of too many delicious-sounding options.

Although the menus are vegan, you can add meat to many dishes. I generally chose not to and was so incredibly happy with the dishes as originally created.

I also really appreciated that the menus are absolutely clear not only about which items contain gluten, but also about nuts, soy, coconut, egg, seafood, and dairy for each dish, as well as which ones are spicy, so you can feel safe with your allergies.

One note for dinner: restaurants may not be open every day, and they require reservations in the evenings. Specifically, you’ll need your Nomadic Guide to book your spot.

Plantissa

It’s easy to forget about Plantissa, which is open for breakfast and lunch, but don’t sleep on this cafe. It offers incredible coffee drinks, fresh smoothies, and light bites, making it a fantastic place to stop by for a quick pick-me-up between your morning movement classes and your afternoon relaxing by the beach.

I had one of my favorite meals here, and I stopped by regularly for an oat version of golden milk that they made perfectly each time. My favorite? A black charcoal, gluten-free focaccia stuffed with tons of veggies and an avocado spread that I would eat every day if someone made it for me.

I was told the waffles were just as fantastic, but I never found time to get them, unfortunately. You can stop in for something as quick as a smoothie or coffee, grab a muffin or cookies, or order a more complete meal with a quiche or sandwich.

Su Casa

Su Casa is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It sits right on the beach, offering a relaxed vibe where you can enjoy fresh juices, delicious pastries, and hearty morning bowls to fuel up for your classes.

I had breakfast here every day but one morning. It’s the perfect spot for a beautiful view of the water while you eat.

The lunch menu is vast, with everything from hummus and salads to pizzas and more. I chose the heirloom pomodoro pizza (yes, I swapped the cashew-based for traditional mozzarella) one day and the spicy poke bowl another. Others told me that it was fabulous with the watermelon, but I couldn’t resist the line-caught tuna.

At dinner, the menu transforms again to focus on Indian-inspired cuisine, so you don’t feel like you’re eating at the same place with the same food, meal after meal. The briyani was fantastic, and I enjoyed the tandoori fish, though of the four dinner options, this was my least favorite.

Charly’s Vegan Tacos

For a great midday meal, Charly’s Vegan Tacos is open for lunch. I wish I’d eaten here every day, though I did manage to get my Tatemado Plantain every day, a charred plantain with vegan cream, agave syrup, and roasted pumpkin seeds.

The food truck serves up incredibly flavorful, authentic Mexican dishes using plant-based ingredients. Everything is so perfectly seasoned that you’ll honestly forget you’re eating a completely vegan taco.

Mar De Olivo

Mar de Olivo is open only for dinner, and as my first full meal at Palmaia, it was absolutely unforgettable. No surprise by the name, but this restaurant focuses on Mediterranean food.

I can’t recommend the Tartar Pomodoro enough. This beautiful dish tasted as fantastic as it looked.

The base is organic heirloom tomatoes with Dijon mustard, a Mediterranean vinaigrette, capers, and pickles, designed to look like beef tartare, and the egg yolk is actually an organic carrot-and-turmeric yolk. This dish is completely vegan, and if I could get someone to cook for me like this, I’d eat vegan meals for the rest of my life.

I also enjoyed the gnocchi, but this was a restaurant where I truly struggled with finding just one dish to enjoy because so much of it looked amazing. I’m not above covertly scouting what other tables have ordered.

Lek

Lek is also open only for dinner. It offers a high-end take on traditional Mexican gastronomy. They use incredibly fresh, local spices and herbs to create complex and beautiful dishes that honor the region’s culinary history.

I started with the avocado and cactus “tlacoyo,” which was spring cactus, avocado, tomatillo, purslane, serrano pepper, sunflower seeds, momo leaf, and poblano pepper oil. It was larger than I expected it to be and would have been filling enough for a main course, though it’s listed as a starter.

For my main, I chose the crispy potato flautas, and I’m glad I did. These came with a tomato-habanero salsa, cashew cream, coconut queso fresco, iceberg lettuce, Persian cucumber, refried beans, and avocado leaf to complement the absolutely tasty three small flautas.

Ume

Ume is the third restaurant that’s open only for dinner and serves beautiful, Asian-inspired fusion cuisine. The atmosphere is gorgeous, and the menu blends Thai and Japanese flavors with the resort’s plant-forward philosophy to create dishes that are rich, savory, and incredibly satisfying.

For this dinner, we enjoyed most of it family-style, so I was able to try a few more dishes. You must order the bao buns; don’t even think about it. This was one of the best things I ate my entire stay.

Of course, that was closely followed by the kang phet, or red Thai curry. I almost stole a bowl of this just for myself and definitely had more than my fair share.

Honestly, I really enjoyed pretty much everything at Ume, from the pad Thai to the omakase, though I preferred the traditional fish to the plant-based alternatives. My only comment is that the rice is not the traditional Japanese sushi rice, so it doesn’t stay together as well as what you’re used to.

Of all the restaurants, this is also the one where you absolutely must save room for dessert. The pink was so delicious – again, I took more than my fair share. It is star anise, glazed prune, beet juice, raspberry sorbet, prune foam, and raspberry tulip, but that doesn’t do it justice. You’ll just have to trust me.

Masterfully Crafted Mocktails

With the resort’s true wellness focus, I shouldn’t be surprised that the bar menu centers on artfully designed mocktails, just as the food is plant-forward. The entire resort is mocktail-first, meaning you actually have to ask to get alcohol added to your drinks.

The mocktails are fabulous, complex, and so well-designed that you generally don’t need or want any alcohol. This isn’t your standard cocktail where they just left out the alcohol or a random juice they found.

They really worked hard to create flavor combinations that work well, and this is beyond unusual for an all-inclusive but completely on par for this resort. I absolutely loved the Mezcali’Ha and the Buscate la Vida, but there were so many unique options available at every bar and restaurant.

Enjoy the Beach Service

As I noted, Palmaia is located right on the beach, and you will want to take advantage of it at some point during your stay. When I first arrived, I had a bit of time to relax without any classes or sessions, so I headed to the beach area for a quick bite to eat.

Instead, the staff suggested that I could (and should) find a comfy spot to relax on the beach, and they would bring me everything I needed. I had some water, a bit of guac, and a fried plantain from the taco truck in no time flat, and they kept checking on me.

In addition, each seating area has a button you can press to request beach service whenever you’re ready, so you don’t even have to wait for the frequent check-ins. You can also request coconuts from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon, and they’ll bring you a fresh one with a straw to drink the coconut water.

You usually see loungers on the beach, but Palmaia has it set up differently. The majority of the seats there are more like giant beanbags that are shaped like loungers, if that makes sense.

It’s great for support, but they aren’t as flexible to change position as traditional loungers. They also have large square mattresses with pillows you can use, and I went back and forth between the two of them when I was at the beach.

The good news is that there is a ton of shade at the beach, with each seating group covered. Just watch your head, as they are relatively low to help keep you in the shade for as long as possible. A lack of shade is something I often struggle with, so I really appreciated that here.

Even though the beach setup is phenomenal, I actually spent almost all my time at the various wellness classes they offered. They were just so phenomenal.

Take Advantage of the Resort Bikes

I’ve long been a fan of resorts that offer complimentary bikes to borrow. It’s a great way to explore a city, whether you’re in Newport, Rhode Island or Lyon, France. I didn’t expect to see them at this secluded resort.

However, I often took advantage of the bikes, and I suggest you do, too. It’s a large resort, so the bicycles located throughout make it much easier to get from one place to another, especially when you’re trying to attend back-to-back sessions.

They even have kid-sized bikes available. You simply grab one from the closest “parking area” and leave it in one of the many parking areas near your destination.

Discover Local Jungle Wildlife

Because you’re surrounded by the jungle, you’ll see plenty of animals around the property. Palmaia is very careful to keep as much of the land as pristine as possible and to avoid interfering with the local flora and fauna.

They don’t approach you, so you don’t need to be frightened of them, but watch for animals and birds throughout your stay. I spotted iguanas, monkeys, parrots, agoutis, and coatis.

I had never seen them before, but agoutis look a bit like large, long-legged guinea pigs, and they’re very shy as they scurry through the brush. Coatis are related to raccoons, with long snouts and ringed tails, and they wander around, including through the beach area.

There are also plenty of other birds around, including gorgeous red-throated hummingbirds and chats that you can find if you look closely. I love that nature is all right there, relatively undisturbed.

Explore Natural Spaces During Downtime

When you have spare time, explore the natural spaces around the resort grounds. There are so many beautiful spots to discover that you don’t expect to see or are hidden away.

I loved the very unique and cool bonsai garden. It’s a dedicated, quiet space filled with meticulously pruned miniature trees, and it’s the perfect spot to walk through or just practice mindful breathing in total silence.

There’s also a gorgeous natural cenote right on the property that you can swim in outside the spa. The fresh water is refreshing on a hot day, and floating on your back, looking up at the jungle canopy, is a surreal and relaxing experience.

As you explore, you’ll find a cave with another cenote that you can’t swim in, but it’s just as fascinating to visit. In keeping with the sacredness of the water in the local culture, this cave has a small altar where you can leave an offering.

Near Charly’s Taco Truck, you’ll also find hot and cold plunge pools. They’re a bit hidden away, but it’s another way to connect your body and mind while staying at Palmaia.

I loved that almost every time I visited, no one else was there. It let me take my time to ease into the cold and make all the uncomfortable noises I needed to.

Planning Your Transformative Getaway

Palmaia The House of AïA took what has become a trendy bit of marketing and redefined what a beach vacation can be. With its immersive jungle setting, incredibly thoughtful plant-forward food, and life-changing wellness classes, it’s a place that works to heal you from the inside out.

I left feeling more relaxed and tolerant of so much in my life. If you’re looking for a trip that leaves you feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to yourself, this oasis in the Mexican Riviera is exactly where you need to go.

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