Kristen O'Brien
How This Eco-Luxury Wellness Retreat Is The Next Hot Mexico Getaway
Palmaïa: House of Aïa isn’t just a resort; it’s a transformative journey into nature’s embrace, where each moment is crafted to nourish not just the body, but the soul. Discover a deeper connection at Palmaïa, where luxury meets the natural world in perfect harmony, according to our intrepid globe trotter, Kristen O’Brien.
Photography courtesy of Palmaïa: House of Aïa and Kristen O’Brien
Off To Mexico We Go
Need a spa getaway only a direct flight away, one with heart and soul, that’s nestled between the soothing Caribbean Sea and lush jungle? With plant-based healthy culinary offerings that make you feel lighter when you leave, but where a beachside cocktail or glass of wine is within reach? Where there’s peace and quiet with only the sounds of waves crashing on the beach and the warm breeze rustling through the palm trees, but where you can also dance fireside on the beach to the sultry sounds of a guest DJ? Look no further than Palmaïa: House of Aïa, an eco-luxury wellness sanctuary located on the beautiful Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, with 234 suites set on almost 1,000 acres that include virgin jungle, cenotes, mystical grottos, as well as residents like striped iguanas, spider monkeys, and agouti.
One of the unique aspects of Palmaïa is that it feels like a sanctuary from the rest of the world, where nature-inspired design, hospitality, and respect for the environment merge seamlessly. Palmaïa is the only all-inclusive wellness resort to receive the MICHELIN Two Key Award, as well as receiving Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award as the #1 Destination Spa Resort in Mexico and the #3 Destination Spa Resort in the World, outside of the United States.
Another unique aspect is the sensational spa setting. The reception area of the Atlantis Spa is located inside an inviting but unassuming single-level stucco building, but to get to your treatment rooms, there are nine private cabins on site, you must walk down a stone path and follow your therapist through the jungle past waterfalls, rock formations, vibrant green foliage and enchanting smells. Here, treatments are referred to as “rituals,” therapists are “healers,” and spa offerings are rooted in local traditions and cultures, specifically the ancient teachings of the Maya. As I was told when I checked in for my ritual, healing the mind and soul is as important as healing the body at Palmaïa.
I experienced the Ollin, an intense therapeutic massage with eucalyptus and bergamot oil that focuses on “pressure points, meridians, circulatory compressions, stretching, and reflex stimulation.” All I know is that it was deeply relaxing, partly because of the incredible jungle setting right before my eyes. Later, I returned to try the steam lodge ritual that started with a BioCharger session that is said to restore your energy and vitality through different light frequencies, followed by a sauna-like ritual where a clay and eucalyptus paste was applied to my body. Once I emerged from the steam hut, I was cleansed clean with warm rosemary water that was poured over my body. Then, I ventured further into the jungle to swim in a cold cenote and a cascading waterfall in the rocks. Finally, I was served a warming tea while sitting and soaking up the natural beauty and tranquility. It was both soothing and invigorating.
The most popular treatments are Mexican massage, which incorporates shawls, tinctures, mud, and herbs, and the “Prehispanic” ritual, which involves body exfoliation followed by massage with artisanal herbal compresses that “will take your body through a journey of sounds and botanical aromas.”
More Than Just A One-Of-A-Kind Spa…
From the moment you arrive and are greeted by a refreshing hand towel and “mystical” welcoming drink, you are encouraged to interact with your “Nomadic Guide.” Each guest is assigned a guide who will be there, at your fingertips so to speak, via WhatsApp to answer questions, bring you any forgotten items, remind you of your schedule, and let you know of the daily activities or “Architects of Life” offerings. These change daily and include more than 30 holistic and health activities such as yoga, drawing classes, gong baths, deep healing mantras, sound bowl rituals, and body movement workshops. Other activities for those who want to do more than simply lie on the beach or by the pool include “Rituals of Sound,” which are curated music events held at different venues throughout the property.
You can also visit Avalon, an onsite beauty salon for hair appointments, manis, pedis, and waxing, or have a workout in a gym that feels like it is an extension of the jungle. Then, stroll through the Bonsai House, take a dip in the plunge pools, or grab a bike and ride along the main pathway of the resort, hoping to see spider monkeys making a ruckus in the palm trees. But don’t miss the various animal sculptures scattered throughout the property, made of all-natural materials, especially the 49-foot sculpture of the Goddess AïA, made of different types of wood from the region that faces the beach and emerges from a cenote, representing the connection between nature and mankind. The enchanting works are all created by Mexican artist Raúl Estudillo, better known as Rino.
Clean Cuisine Captivates
With six on-site restaurants from which to choose, there’s never a shortage of dining options (and there’s a delectable room service too). There’s the beachy laid back vibe of Su Casa which is located on the beach, LEK, a plant-forward Mexican restaurant, UME, their take on Asian and sushi with a “mindful twist,” Mar de Olivo with its Mediterranean cuisine and my favorites, Charly’s Taco Truck with tasty vegan tacos and the light and airy Plantissa café with espresso drinks, smoothies, gluten free treats like cookies and donuts that somehow still taste sinful, power shots and chia puddings. Each restaurant has specialty cocktails and wine offerings as well.
Getting There
Palmaïa: House of Aïa is in Playa del Carmen within the Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo. It’s a forty-five-minute drive from the Cancun airport and hidden behind another property nestled between lush jungle and the Caribbean Sea.
Suites start at $650 per night per person, all-inclusive. All rooms are oceanfront rooms with private terraces. Lower-level rooms have swim-up suites. Rooms are tastefully decorated in wood paneling and come with his and hers walk-in showers or oversized tubs, twenty-four-hour room service, and surround sound speakers built into the walls to connect your device to create your own Palmaïa playlist. The resort’s “Gifting Lifestyle” ensures that many of its most authentic and unique experiences are included in the stay, such as holistic wellness programs, sound ritual sessions, and more.
Palmaïa welcomes families and has a pool area suitable for kids. There are also adult-only sections and pool areas.
Palmaïa: House of Aïa goes deeper than most luxe spa resorts. There’s something especially magical and healing about being in proximity to the incredible pristine nature sanctuary where you can relax not just your body, but your mind and spirit as well. If you are seeking a deeper inner connection and immersion with the natural world, then you’ll want to experience Palmaïa.
