Palmaia, The House of AiA

There are so many reasons I keep returning to Palmaia again. This most recent trip I traveled with my 2 daughters (12 & 15). This wellness resort is one of kind; magical. The food and the natural beauty is a big part of it, but the reason I keep returning is because of the amazing staff. It feels like coming home. From the moment you arrive and are greeted with the warmest welcome from Luis. He is such a friendly face and gives such a great beginning to a wonderful vacation. There really is no place like Palmaia. The food (plant based ) is out of this world in every category. A reminder it is a plant based resort; and they do it exceptionally. As vegetarians, the food here is one of our main draws that keep us coming back here. The variety of plant based and gluten free food is something that you can’t find anywhere else. The breakfast each morning at Su Casa is so fresh and delicious, and the staff always knew how to get your morning off to a great start. We were greeted by Far with a smile and every member of the wait staff served us with a smile. Always making sure they are aware of dietary restrictions and food allergies. Making sure our breakfast was perfect. And with a view of the ocean how could it not be? Really, what could there be to complain about? Too much sunshine? Too much kindness? Our days were filled either pool side or in front of the ocean with the most comfortable atmosphere. And did I mention how amazing the staff is? Freddy, Abraham and Fernando provided us outstanding service, mocktails, fresh coconuts, chips and salsa. Not to mention how great and interesting the conversations you can have with them. Their service went above and beyond. One of my favorites is the Vegan Taco truck on the beach. It really doesn't get better than that. Reyes served us daily with a smile and always made sure our food was perfect. Visiting the truck was always a highlight of our day. Every class they offer is so mindful and unique. My girls loved the various art classes that Eva offered. She is so talented and such an inspiration to my girls. Pranayama with Aura and the sunrise was the perfect way to start each day. Any Music with Renee is always a must. You will be blown away by his talent. Balder is one of a kind and any class with him will leave you in awe. I attended a breathwork class with Veronica that was beyond incredible. Classes with Lucia always leave you uplifted. Not only are all the teachers incredible but the setting is out of this world. Every detail is thought out. Beautiful, mindful and unforgettable. Marco is always there day or night making sure everyone is welcomed and comfortable. We looked forward to dining experience each night. Lek, Ume and Su Casa not only deliver on out of this world tasty food, but their wait staff goes above and beyond each night to make it a memorable experience. Valentine kept us laughing and even got my girls to try new food and like it! And Domingo explained every dish thoroughly and always encouraged us to give it all a try and we were always happy he did. Jerrica always made sure every reservation and every detail was perfect. She wore her many hats and always loved running into her. She helped made sure my spa experience was top notch. If you have the chance, you must find time to swim in the magical feeling Cenotes. It is such a great experience and really once in a lifetime. My daughters were obsessed with the beautiful cafe, Plantissa. They visited every day without fail and they always had something nice to say about the workers. The thought that went into the interior design there is outstanding along with the delicious pastries, power shots, and smoothies they make. My only complaint was there is not enough hours in the days to enjoy all the things this resort has to offer. Already planning my return!

This was my second time visiting Palmaia and not only was my trip as amazing as last year, but even better! I can see that Palmaia continues to grow and progress with guests experience at the forefront of all they do. I came to lead a Yoga retreat and then my family joined me at the end of the trip for some family time. My guests felt so taken care of by all of the staff, but especially by our Nomadics Oscar and Esteban. My 10 year old son was in paradise bouncing between the ocean, the pool and the on-site cenote all day. The food, the accommodations, the location, the crystal water, the AOL offerings are all top notch. It feels really good to have all of the amenities and luxuries of a traditional all-inclusive but with so much intention behind it. You can leave Palmaia feeling restored rather than depleted. I have already booked my next trip and cannot wait.

Such a wonderful place! Esteban and Oscar acted as “nomadic guides,” taking care of all of my needs. They were great! Every favor, from requesting a ride to needing more water in my room was accomplished cheerfully. I felt safe and well cared for by the entire staff. The food was excellent and the bed was comfortable. I would go back there in a heartbeat 💓

My stay at Palmaia was truly transformative. The amazing staff, coupled with the property's immaculate cleanliness and serene atmosphere, created the perfect environment for a wellness reset. As a solo female traveler, I felt embraced by safety and relaxation. The delicious vegan options surprised me, though I'm not vegan I chose this option during my stay and I wholeheartedly recommend them. The spa's beauty added to the overall experience, making it a journey of rejuvenation and inner peace. The daily schedule of activities was also much appreciated. A big shoutout to my incredible nomadic guides, Dariana and Kassandra! And to Juan, Erika, and Oscar—you're all absolutely amazing! Thank you for everything!

I’ve been curious about Palmaia: The House of AiA since it first opened, so I was glad to finally have the opportunity to visit, on a solo trip, the first week of September. The reviews here are uniformly rapturous, so I was a bit skeptical, but I can honestly say it’s one of the most exceptional resorts I’ve experienced anywhere in the world. For this particular trip, I wanted to stay at a resort that would be suitable for rest, relaxation, and…some thinking. I was intrigued by Palmaia’s focus on wellness, both physical and emotional, and I found many of the advertised included classes and experiences intriguing. I made my reservation directly online with a Palmaia representative. I was impressed that they were not only able to match a very good rate I had found elsewhere, but they also included a complimentary upgrade and roundtrip airport transportation. Any inquiries I made with the resort prior to my arrival were responded to in an impressively prompt and friendly manner. Upon arrival at CUN, I was met by a representative from the resort who escorted me to the luxury SUV that would taking me to Palmaia. It was a comfortable drive of about an hour. Check-in took place at a dedicated building on the Sandos property. It creates an excellent first impression with its luxurious décor, soothing music, appealing custom scent, and an offer of a refreshing juice. From there, my luggage and I were taken by golf cart to Palmaia—a world of difference from the Sandos property (and from any other resort, for that matter)! The friendly driver gave me a tour of the property, pointing out the various restaurants, bar, pools, spa, gym, etc. Then I was brought to the adults-only building (300 block), where I was introduced to one of my Nomadic Guides (Dariana). She gave me a quick tour of the room’s features and explained in a little more detail the options for meals and the different classes and experiences that were available. Any further communications were very conveniently handled through WhatsApp. The room was gorgeous—absolutely pristine, with everything in brand-new condition. I was impressed by the quality of the furnishings and décor, and the view from my third-floor balcony was perfection. I unpacked while listening to music through the Bluetooth sound system. There was ample hanging space and drawer space for even the most compulsive over-packer. Toiletries are organic and custom made for Palmaia. Inside the mini bar there were juices, water, and kombucha, as well as coffee and tea. They also provided house-made snacks (granola and various nuts) that were replenished daily. During my five-night stay, I dined at all the restaurants (some twice), ordered room service breakfast a few times, and enjoyed cocktails at the atmospheric beach bar. Absolutely everything I ate and drank was prepared with the utmost care. The quality of the cocktails and mocktails was a step above what is offered at most AI resorts. And while I am not a vegan, I enjoyed every meal I had (whether I chose to add an animal protein or not). The vegan pastries and desserts were extraordinary—it was hard to believe they weren’t made with cream and butter! There were interesting classes and experiences offered each day. I participated in a perfume making class, Vinyasa yoga class, Tibetan bowls sound bath, Gong/chime concert, and an unusual and illuminating activity with the Shaman called “The Geometry of Power.” There were several other guests traveling alone, so I never felt odd dining or attending a class by myself. Palmaia must be one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever seen. It was a pleasure just to walk from my room to the main building for meals. The resort is cloaked by lush jungle, so it’s possible to see a great variety of local wildlife: spider monkeys, coatis, iguanas, snakes, and various birds (including hummingbirds). There are two exquisite cenotes on the property that are worth a visit for a contemplative soak, and the pools are huge and kept at a comfortable temperature, but for me the main attraction was the gorgeous beach—one of the best in the entire region, second only to Maroma, in my opinion. It was always easy to find a comfortable place to lounge, and each palapa or shelter had its own call button to summon staff whenever I wanted to order a drink or snack. The only improvement I would like to see at Palmaia would be to make it an adults-only resort. My first night at dinner, I was taken aback to find several screaming toddlers running around, so I adjusted my dining times to 9PM and was able to avoid them for the rest of my stay. The property is so large, so it was easy to find quiet spaces to relax during the day. It would be a great idea for them to at least offer one restaurant each night for adults-only. I would also have appreciated having the indoor bar in the main building open during my stay, as sometimes the weather was too inclement to enjoy the beach bar. Overall, I don’t think I have ever felt quite so cared for by the staff of a resort. From my Nomadic Guides (Dariana and Oscar) to the housekeeping staff, to the restaurant staff, to the “Architects of Life,” everyone with whom I came in contact was kind, warm, and hospitable. They obviously love their jobs very much. I fear Palmaia: The House of AiA has spoiled me for other resorts, as they have set the bar so high. I hope to return again in the near future, next time with my partner, to this “sanctuary for the soul.”