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!
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!
Palmaïa is not just another luxury resort. It is a place where transformative moments happen, where connections deepen, and where wellness becomes a lived experience rather than a concept.
Who Is Palmaïa For?
Expect laid-back, easy-going vibes, amazing plant-based food, and comfortable rooms with breathtaking views. The beach is simply gorgeous: white sand and crystal-clear blue water. I could spend my whole day there, if there wasn't so much more to do.
When considering Palmaïa, it is important to understand that more than a luxury resort, it is a wellness experience in paradise. It is not the most luxurious place you will find in this part of the world, and it does not try to be. This is honest, efficient luxury with nothing over the top. If you are looking for marble lobbies, chandeliers and formal service, this is not your place. Palmaïa is about a different kind of richness.
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. His philosophy permeates every aspect of the property, from the plant-based cuisine to the holistic programming to the connection with nature.
What to Do During Your Stay
Beyond the paradise beach, Palmaïa The House of AïA offers a long list of included activities through the day. You can pack your agenda if you want: yoga, Qi Gong, meditation, sound baths, movement classes, sacred geometry, art classes, cacao ceremonies. The variety is impressive and the quality is there in every one of them.
Palmaïa also welcomes visiting practitioners you are unlikely to meet in another wellness resort. During one of my stays a shaman led a Rapé ceremony, and not just any shaman: he came from the tribe with the strongest and most authentic rapé tradition there is. Strong, authentic, not for tourists, and somehow still approachable. Transformative and progressive at the same time, which is a rare balance.
The team is exceptional and caring. I was particularly moved by the shaman Balder and Iva the art teacher, and by how many people there genuinely want you to have a transformative stay at your own pace. I should say that some of my favourites have moved on since.
The Sacred Cenote
The spa is stunning, and Palmaïa offers experiences with genuinely holistic practices. There is a sacred cenote in the middle of the resort, and it resonates strongly with most guests. I had special connections there, though not all stories can be written.
A Heaven for Wellness Seekers with Children
One of the greatest strengths of Palmaïa is how children are welcomed. The Waldorf-inspired activities programme is exceptional, and my daughters loved it so much they would rather spend the day exploring with their new friends than with their parents. They were well looked after, learning things, on the beach or under the palm trees, in a space that felt genuinely safe.
The hotel offers two different types of family rooms: one with bunk beds in the room and another with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. This flexibility makes it easy for families of different sizes and preferences to find their perfect setup.
The Honest Truth: Areas for Improvement
In all honesty, the front desk is the true weakness of this property. Arrival and departure lag behind everything else, and the team there is not as warm or as helpful as you would expect at a luxury wellness destination. What saves it is the layout: the front desk sits away from the resort, so once you have checked in you do not see them again until checkout. It is not the most fluid experience, but it barely touches the stay.
What I Love Most: Chef Charly's Magic
Besides the paradise beach and the exceptional wellness program, 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 famous with it. Everyone wanted to try his tacos, vegan or not, and people came from all over the world just to eat his food. Alex Ferri gave him his chance, and it was a perfect match.
The Plant-Based Culinary Experience
The property is completely plant-based, though for those who are reluctant, animal proteins are available: eggs, fish, and meat are listed on the menu.
Palmaïa has a beach restaurant for casual all-day dining, as well as three gourmet restaurants: an Asian (my favorite), an Italian, and a Mexican one. There's also a café where you can grab and go all day long.
My little ones lived for the croissants. The mango tapioca pudding and the smoothies are what I would order on my last day on earth. And of course you can have tacos at Charly’s food truck on the beach. I confess that is where you will find me at lunch.
One last important note about the food: even though it's all-inclusive, Palmaïa is not a buffet-style place. Everything is made to order. Remember, this is a laid-back, easy-going luxury wellness hotel with a focus on quality over quantity.
Find Your Own Path
Except for the spa, everything at Palmaïa is included, and that means a very long list of activity classes, therapies and holistic sessions. Palmaïa even quotes prices with taxes in, which is rare in Mexico. Unless you spend your days having facials and massages, there are no surprises on your bill at checkout.
Overall, the value for money is exceptional, and you can truly find what you're looking for: a wellness vacation at your own pace with yoga and a few classes, an intense sport and 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 chilling out, that's perfectly fine too. There's no judgment, no pressure, just space for everyone to experience wellness in their own way.
Who Palmaïa Really Serves
Palmaïa is for people who want something different. Something real. Something that might actually change them a little.
It is for families who value wellness and want their children to have a different kind of holiday, and a different kind of freedom, in a place that is genuinely safe. It is for spiritual seekers who are tired of surface-level experiences but are not ready for an ashram, or not with those people. It is for anyone exhausted by conventional luxury and ready for something with more meaning.
It is not for people who need everything polished and perfect. It is not for sceptics who roll their eyes at shamanic ceremonies, and I see you. It is not for those who need their luxury to announce itself loudly.
My Final Thoughts
As you can tell, my stays at Palmaïa were profoundly meaningful, with 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's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a place to deeply relax, to disconnect from the world, and to experience something different, and perhaps to explore your spiritual journey, then you should definitely give it a try.
Whether you are seeking emotional transformation, family connection, food delight or simply a beautiful beach to rest your soul, Palmaïa offers a space where all of it can coexist. Only if you are ready for something genuine, though, and only if you understand that real luxury sometimes wears flip-flops and serves tacos from a food truck.
Sending you the beautiful light from Mexico,
Victoire