Insider review of Palmaïa the House of AïA in Playa del Carmen

I have been lucky to spend over a week at Palmaïa The House of AïA in February 2022 as well as 5 days in October 2023. Here are the main insights from my experience there. I hope you'll enjoy reading!
— Victoire, Serenity Ways

A wellness haven filled with dear memories

This wellness destination in Mexico is very special and I have many dear memories there.

I should start by sharing a little secret: my husband Christophe and I renewed our vows there with a shamanic ceremony. What a truly wonderful experience!

Who is Palmaïa for?

Expect laid-back, easy-going vibes, amazing plant-based food, as well as nice comfortable rooms with an amazing view. The beach is gorgeous: white sand, crystal-clear blue water. I would just spend my whole day there, if there was not so much more to do as well.

When considering Palmaïa, it is important to understand that more than a luxury resort, it is a wellness experience in paradise. Palmaïa is not designed for everyone. This is not the place for people looking for opulent luxury.

Alex Ferri, the owner of Palmaia, is a true visionary. He wants to change the world, and Palmaïa is his way of showing what can be achieved.

What to do during your stay at Palmaïa?

Beyond the paradise beach, Palmaïa The House of AïA offers a long list of included activities throughout the day. You can have your agenda packed if you want: from yoga to Qi Gong, from meditation to sound baths, from movement classes to sacred geometry, from art classes to cacao ceremonies.

Palmaïa also welcomes special guests from time to time. When I was there, a renowned shaman from an Amazon tribe came for a Rapé ceremony.

The team is great and caring, with the shaman Balder, Iva the art teacher. I must also admit that some of my favorite people left the place.

The SPA is stunning, and Palmaïa offers an experience with truly holistic practices. There is a sacred cenote in the middle of the resort, and it resonates strongly with most of the guests. I experienced special connections there. But not all stories can be told or written!

A heaven for wellness seekers with children

One of the strengths of Palmaïa is how children are welcome, in particular, with an exceptional Waldorf-inspired activities program. My daughters loved it so much that they would rather spend their day outside discovering the world with their new friends than spending their time with their parents.

The hotel offers 2 different types of family rooms: one with bunk beds in the room and another one with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

The downsides of Palmaïa

In all honesty, the front desk is the true weakness of this property. The arrival and departure experience lags behind. The front desk team is not as nice or helpful as you would expect from a luxury wellness destination. On the other hand, the front desk is actually away from the resort, so after check-in you are not going to see them anymore again until check-out, so there is not much to worry about.

Palmaia - food truck experience by chef charly

What I love most about Palmaïa

Besides the paradise beach and the great wellness programme, Chef Charly may well be the greatest gem of this property. I truly love Charly. He is really nice and authentic, and his food is simply amazing.

Did you know that Chef Charly started with a vegan tacos food truck in Tulum?

He became really famous with his food truck, so everyone wanted to try his tacos, whether they were vegan or not! His food is so delicious that people from all over the world would come just to experience his tacos. Alex Ferri gave him his chance, and it was a great match.

The property goes completely plant-based, but for the ones who are reluctant, they can have animal proteins: eggs, fish, meat. It is listed on the menu.

The amazing plant-based cuisine of Chef Charly

Palmaïa has a beach restaurant for casual all-day dining, as well as 3 gourmet restaurants: an Asian (my favorite), an Italian and a Mexican one. There is also a café where you can grab and go all day long.

My little ones absolutely loved their croissants
As for me, the mango tapioca pudding and the smoothies were to die for.

And of course ... you can have tacos at Charly’s food truck on the beach! I must confess, this is where you will find me over lunch at Palmaïa.

One last thing with regards to the delicious food: even if it is all inclusive, Palmaïa is not a buffet type of place. Remember this is a laid-back, easy-going luxury wellness hotel.

Find your own path at Palmaïa

Except the spa, everything at Palmaïa is included - and this means, a very long list of activity classes, as well as therapies and holistic sessions. Palmaïa even quotes their prices including taxes, which is quite rare in Mexico! Unless you spend your days having facials and massages, no bad surprise on property or on your bill at check-out.

Overall the value for money is great and you can really find what you are looking for: a wellness vacation at your own pace with yoga and a few classes, an intense sport & detox retreat, a memorable family holiday, or an in-depth spiritual experience.

Each guest is invited to follow their own path at Palmaïa. So if your other half prefers to spend the day drinking cocktails by the (adult) pool and chill out, this is fine too!

As you understood, my stays at Palmaïa were very good, with profound and memorable experiences, both for me and my family. I highly recommend Palmaïa The House of AïA to anyone looking for a unique and special wellness vacation experience.

It is not for everyone, but if you are looking for a place to deeply relax, to disconnect from the world, and to experience something different, then you should definitively give it a try.

Sending you the beautiful light from Mexico,
Victoire

You can also contact me to get my advise about the ideal program for you. Maybe the best retreat for you is Palmaïa The House of AïA, or maybe it is another great wellness hotel. During the consultation, we will discuss your objectives and find out.

Also, booking your program with Serenity Ways gives you exclusive amenities, without paying more.

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Victoire tested Palmaïa The House of AïA