- Mexico Holidays
- Playa del Carmen
- Palmaia The House of AiA
Strategically situated at the tail end of the most beautiful beach in the Riviera Maya, The House of AïA brings us Palmaïa, an exclusive beach enclave focused on connecting us to nature, ourselves, and the sanctity of life. Every effort was taken to ensure the original landscape remains untouched to feel the healing authenticity of old-growth trees and naturally occurring, cool-water cenotes. All guests reside in ocean-front suites: some with swim-out access to the infinity pools, others with sweeping views of the sea, and a few nestled among the ocean-side mangroves. Guests also enjoy high-end amenities without sacrificing environmentally friendly practices, while the restaurants offer the best cuisine in the region, extensive plant-based options, and impeccable style. But even still, the real jewels are the Architects of Life personal growth program and the Rituals of Sound series. The Hotel is Pet Friendly, for more information contact the hotel.
Pamper yourself with a visit to the spa, which offers massages, body treatments and facials. You're sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, which include 6 outdoor swimming pools and a health club. Additional amenities at this property include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services and a hair salon.
Due to the surrounding area and the number of steps around the hotel, it may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties.
Our stay at Palmaïa was exceptional. The service, food, and staff were incredible. Our Nomadic Guides, Karen and Oscar, were wonderful, and Ale made our experiences at Ume and Su Casa even more special.
We loved how quiet, private, and intentional everything felt, from the beautiful design and food to the curated experiences. I left feeling refreshed, grounded, and deeply connected to myself. Palmaïa is a truly special place, and we left already looking forward to the day we can return.
Just the most magical place we've been at. The feeling of being actively taken care is just incomparable to any other place. Also as a vegan, there is a subconscious thing where I have to often stare at a menu and pick out possibly 2 out of 20 dishes for me to eat, to be able to feel that the menu and food was designed around my dietary preference being a first class citizen. Besides the food, the classes and the variety of animal species on the property and the staffs ability to coexist with the animals, respect them is going to be a core memory.
We stayed for 3 nights and the food and cocktails / mocktails that we enjoyed were nothing short of a culinary experience. A massive shout-out to all the staff, their attention to detail and hospitality was second to none and a very very special thanks to our incredible nomadic guide Kassandra, who was a true LEGEND, she kept all our schedules, preferences in mind, even went out of her way to get us dishes from Umi when it was closed just so we can experience those dishes. She was observant and proactive and above all just a JOY to be around.
We are definitely coming here again and recommending it to anyone who would listen!
Our experience here was absolutely incredible. Every detail on site is so well thought out.
It was truly a life changing experience and I'm so grateful to have found this place!
There was 5-6hrs of optional classes each day - breath work, yoga, body movement, energetic work, etc. We took the opportunity to do all of the classes and they were all amazing. I came to Palmaia in need of a nervous system reset, and I left feeling lighter, calmer and with tools I could take with me to help me in the future, thanks to all of the classes offered.
The staff were incredible - everyone was so lovely, welcoming and so many of the staff knew me and my sister by name early on, which made the place really feel like a home away from home.
I'd like to make a special mention to a few staff:
Oscar (driver) - so welcoming and funny. It was always a joy chatting with him on site.
Oscar (Nomadic Guide) - warm, entertaining and always took time to check in with us when we crossed paths, even though he wasn't our Nomadic Guide
Andres & Esteban - our wonderful Nomadic Guides. They made everything so easy and were always there to help us with anything we needed.
Argenis and Dafne - lovely bartenders. Going to Eilo to have a drink and a chat with them was always a highlight. They make great drinks and going to Eilo at the end of the day and sitting at the bar chatting with them, felt like we were catching up with old friends.
Alejandro - kind, sweet and enthusiastic about the menu. We loved seeing his smiling face in the morning.
Ismail - lovely and attentive. He suggested we pre-order food for my sister as she is allergic to garlic and onion. This thoughtful suggestion totally elevated my sisters dining experience and we we are so grateful to him for making the suggestion!
Blas - the most passionate and exceptional waiter. He was so eager to make recommendations which allowed us to try to many interesting foods and drinks that we otherwise may not have. His smile and enthusiasm lights up a room!
Ale - a kind, funny and very attentive waitress.
Karla - warm, kind and knew our 'regular' order by Day 2!
Angel - a wonderful teacher. He took time to explain things, which has allowed us to incorporate new practices into our daily routines. His Deep Stretch Therapy session was amazing - it really unlocked some physical and emotional blocks.
Renee - exceptional musician. Adored his sound bath sessions!
Oscar (class assistant) - did a great job of setting things up at the start of class and welcoming us.
Saul - took such good care of us on the beach!
The food was delicious, the beach is gorgeous and we saw monkeys on site every day. It was a magical week!
We can't wait to come back to Palmaia!
Palmaïa sits between the Caribbean and the jungle, and the property is stunning: the pathways, the cenotes, the Atlantis Spa, and the quiet corners throughout. But what set our stay apart was the people. Nothing felt scripted. We felt cared for from start to finish.
Our Nomadic Guides, Andrés and Esteban, kept us informed and always seemed to be there when we needed something, without ever being intrusive. At Atlantis Spa, Gustavo led a ceremony with real warmth and remembered our names, which made us feel seen rather than like just another booking. Rosalía, who manages the spa, was kind and professional from our first visit. Erica and Claudia were thoughtful and caring, and Claudia went above and beyond for us in a way we'll always appreciate.
The dining team was a highlight too. Several of the servers rotated between the restaurants, so we kept running into familiar, friendly faces. Rafael, Sergio, Blas, Efraín, Luis, Adolfo and Ismael made every meal a pleasure. We were welcomed when we arrived, looked after during the meal, and remembered when we came back.
Beautiful resorts are everywhere. The people are what make Palmaïa special. We'd return in a heartbeat.
Paradise! Oscar is the best host … he made this experience magical. This is a must travel if you love having it all in one place !
