If you’ve been following me, you know I travel for healing and wellness. If there’s a spa, I’m there. Also, if I need to personally detox, I will seek wellness resorts to Spiritually level up my energy and understanding of self. Palmaïa – The House of Aïa, delivered on the latter.

This luxury five-star wellness resort is perfect for Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Retreat Leaders, and anyone who needs to detox spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally!

Located about an hour south of Cancun, Mexico, in the middle of the Riviera Maya, you’ll find an oasis of calm, fun, exploration, beauty, and delicious food.

Are you curious but not that spiritual? If all you want to do is relax on a Mexican beach in luxury accommodations, there’s that too. Included in your stay is an abundance to experience, or you can choose to do nothing at all and still feel the “vibe.” I liked this place mainly because it is quiet, located next to a nature reserve, and it has a Tulum vibe, but you’re not in Tulum. It’s also a family-friendly property, yet there is an “adults-only” section. While I tend to stay in boutique resorts that are not all-inclusive, I see the value.

Let’s talk about that now because details are important to me, and I imagine they may be for you too.

Guest Suites

What’s your preference? Ground-level with the ability to swim out from your lanai? Top floor with an ocean view? Do you like long, luxurious baths? How about a private yoga and meditation room just for you? Traveling with kids and still want some privacy? There’s a suite with your name on it! There are 234 oceanfront vegan (free of animal products) suites in ten different designs, and all have a private balcony. What I loved most about my Oceanfront Master Suite with personal Meditation and Yoga room were the details.

• Wireless surround sound with in-ceiling speakers.
• The wood doors. Solid, heavy, tall, and beautiful!
• Mini-Bar is stocked with your preference of beverages, healthy snacks, and a Fellow Kettle! I purchased the same Fellow Kettle when I got home because of its temperature-regulating dial! No more burning my tongue on water that’s too hot! Win!
• Filtered Water is replenished daily. Palmaïa practices sustainability and eliminates single-use plastic bottles and containers. Also, water was filtered throughout the property, so you can feel at ease brushing your teeth with the tap water. (Very important!)
• 100% Biodegradable Products available for your use – Hand Soap, Body Lotion, Insect Repellant, After-Sun Gel, and Bath Salts!
• Manduka® Yoga Mats in the Yoga Studio! (Great quality!)
  
  A few Suite options are below. Press the arrow buttons to see more. (Photos courtesy of Palmaïa – The House of Aïa)

Cuisine

Upfront and center, the food here is 95% vegan and plant-based. A few animal proteins are available daily, and Chef Javier will cater to your needs if you have a special diet. However, the food is so fresh and delicious that you may welcome the vegan change if you’re not used to that cuisine.
There are six places to dine; four restaurants, one cafe that’s a casual spot to work if you have to, and the famous outdoor taco truck. Each restaurant offers different flavors. So your palette will be satisfied, no worries.

Classes – The Architects of Life

What is the Architects of Life program? A local “personal growth guide,” Balder, who you’ll likely meet while attending a class, created this unique program based on ancient rituals and practices to help you connect with your body, subconscious mind, and wisdom. Visiting Palmaïa is a personal journey; you will receive what you seek and maybe even more.
The Architects of Life activities are cultivated from the heart and are included in your stay! There are so many, but here are a few to whet your senses;

• Hatha Yoga
• Gong Bath
• Transmutation Ritual
• Geometry of Power
• Constellations
• Cacao Ceremony
• Deep Healing Mantras
• Pranayama
• Soul Reading Circle
  and so many more!
  
  I stayed one week, and that was not enough time to enjoy their activities! So I guess that means a return trip is in my near future!

Atlantis is the Spa. If you know, you know. So let’s start with the spa casitas (individual treatment rooms.) You are submerged in nature on a winding path throughout the mangroves. A unique treat for Spa patrons-only is a private cenote. You’ll feel a world away from any work-related stuff with a cold and refreshing dip.
One of the most surprising parts of my stay was my experience with the Spa Healing Treatments. I experienced a 90-minute Aïa Essence, and while the therapist was knowledgeable and gifted, I was left feeling like I needed more. So much so that I booked two more different treatments, which also left me underwhelmed.
This has never happened for me before! Of course, this could be a sales tactic, or I had the wrong therapists. Or, I wasn’t meant to splurge on Spa treatments! (What was the Universe trying to tell me?? Lol!)

Eolo Beach Club

Do you need a place to chill during the day or evening before dinner? Or, after dinner? A visit to the Eolo Beach Club is a must. With an in-house DJ playing a mixture of deep house and chill beats, the ambiance is friendly, relaxed, and aesthetically cool.

I loved the decor at Eolo! Which brings me to my next point…

Decor

Swoon! If you like a hip, beachy vibe and modern aesthetics, then you will LOVE the decor at Palmaïa!
My favorite part of this hotel is how meticulously well-thought-out the design was curated. There’s something about walking from one end of the property to the other, feeling wowed by the atmosphere, and knowing that it’s all part of where you’re staying.

Kids & Things

While I am not a parent, except to my inner child, there are options for your kiddos. There is a water playground, with a few slides, at one of the pools. It looked like a lot of fun. (My inner child wanted to play, but I didn’t think the other kids or parents would approve. Ha!) There is also a kids program called Awen, molded and inspired by the Waldorf school. It’s a daily educational program for ages 3-12. The Family Suites have different layouts with bunk beds, and there are also Master Suites that provide privacy for parents and kids with room to spread out, as they are two bedrooms, each with a bathroom. Lastly, the Sandos resort next door has bigger waterslides if you need a more extensive playground. (It’s a different and busier atmosphere, though, FYI.)

Let’s briefly talk about the beach. The beach is long, and there are several places to lounge. However, there are no lounge chairs and umbrellas. Instead, there are beach beds and bean-bag-like loungers under wood thatched canopies. It’s different. On the pool decks, there are chaise lounge chairs with fabric canopies. Be sure to wear sunblock, or chill, out of the sun at Eolo Beach Club. Also, a staff cleaned the beach every day of seaweed. The guys work hard to keep the area clean. You can take long walks on the beach, in either direction, which is lovely, too!

Summary

In my expert, Spiritually-Travel-minded opinion, Palmaïa – The House of Aïa is well-thought-out for a holistic wellness resort. The General Manager could improve a few details, and they are 90% of the way there.

There are more details, features, and photos that I left out of this review, including “Aïa” and the meaning, and this was intentional so that you have your personal experience that is different from mine.

When you’re ready to pamper yourself or thinking of a group retreat, I can help with your accommodations, tours, and transfers! And, even though it’s not my expertise to plan a family vacation, if you need help, I’ll do my best!

Contact me by clicking here, and let’s book your next dreamy and relaxing vacation!

‘Til next time, thanks for reading, and keep on healing!