In just a matter of hours after leaving the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, we found ourselves enveloped in an atmosphere of serene elegance along the breathtaking coastline of the Riviera Maya at Palmaïa, The House of AïA, a top tier, all-inclusive wellness resort. Tucked between lush jungle and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea in the upscale Playacar area of Playa del Carmen, this beautiful resort offers a harmonious connection with nature, along with an abundance of transformational wellness activities.
A wealth of amenities aimed at spiritual seekers
Seamlessly blending luxury with a deep commitment to health, spirituality and environmental sustainability, Palmaïa was recently awarded two Michelin Keys and truly elevates the concept of an all-inclusive vacation with the wealth of amenities aimed at spiritual seekers. In fact, the mission for our getaway was not only to relax in a picturesque setting, but to also keep an open mind about holistic healing experiences and say “yes” to adventure and discovery.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by one of Palmaïa’s “nomadic guides,” who provided personal services like coordinating dining reservations or scheduling activities. Because the resort’s offering of experiences is so extensive, guides can help organize an itinerary of sessions including ancient cacao ceremonies, meditation, gratitude rituals, soul readings, gong baths and more. They can provide more information on the award-winning Atlantis Spa’s transformative treatments like an ancient Temazcal ceremony. The guides can also share intel on the best spots to view spider monkeys swinging from the treetops, where to swim in cenotes on property, and information about using complimentary paddle boards, bikes, the fitness center and beyond.
After becoming oriented with the property, we navigated a jungle path to our elegant oceanfront swim-out suite, designed with organic eco-friendly materials. From the suite’s private porch, we could step right into the crystal cool waters of an infinity pool. Beyond the pool, through the palm trees, we heard the soothing sounds of waves inviting us to settle into the spirit of slow living.
Delicious Plant-Based Dining
Hungry from travel, we set out to investigate the many dining options at Palmaïa. The resort’s menus are predominantly vegan, and the cuisine aims to showcase how creative and innovative plant-based dishes can be, while providing optimal health by eliminating toxic ingredients, refined sugars, preservatives and ultra-processed components.
Restaurants on the property feature Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Mediterranean and Caribbean fusion concepts. Our favorite spot was the healthy plant-based café that served delicious vegan baked goods and light fare. For beach-goers, there is also a convenient seaside vegan taco truck and a gorgeous, open-air Tulum-inspired beach club to enjoy quick bites while sitting by the shore. For those wishing to opt for non-vegetarian dining, animal proteins are available as additions to meals. Similarly, while the mocktails are inventive, delicious and plentiful, wine and alcoholic beverages are also available. Twenty-four hour in-room dining is also a perk at this all-inclusive resort.
Palmaïa’s holistic wellness program
While the gorgeous setting, bountiful healthy food and luxe accommodations would be enough to qualify Palmaïa as a dream vacation destination, the resort’s distinct and somewhat mystical holistic wellness program makes this retreat unlike any other. AÏAWellness is Palmaïa’s core philosophy of inner healing for a transformative journey and is rooted in local traditions and cultures, specifically the ancient teachings of the Maya.
Through the resort’s “Architects of Life” programming, guests can take part in a myriad of sessions aimed at personal growth, including talking with a shaman, drawing, yoga, ancestral dancing, breathwork, joining a forgiveness ceremony or healing sound rituals. The sessions are all optional, of course, so that guests can tailor their schedule to suit their own spiritual journey. Curious, we chose to attend a few sessions each day during our stay. As noted on the Palmaïa website, “We offer a safe space where you can experiment at your own rhythm, always supported by the community, guides and other guests.” We found this to be entirely sincere, and while not all sessions completely resonated, we were excited by these new-to-us experiences and felt confident and comfortable to venture into new activities because we were greeted with a warm welcome at each opportunity for self-discovery.
An enchanting retreat
Palmaïa equally embraces guests — solo travelers, couples, even families with children — with very open arms, no matter if they are seeking spiritual enlightenment or relaxing downtime in a tropical paradise. We felt a little bit of magic in the atmosphere at this enchanting retreat that gently invites deeper thinking about one’s energy flow. It offers a little inspiration to be more mindful, more reflective and more aware of simple things like healthy habits and daily practices.
A getaway to Palmaïa: The House of AïA might even spark renewed reflection regarding one’s contributions to the community at large. It’s also simply a beautiful place to savor quiet moments on the beach.
Learn more at thehouseofaia.com.
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