A full recap of our spring break journey to Palmaïa, The Home of AïA, a luxurious resort that blends wellness, enjoyable and leisure.
After months of our winter routine, and some icy snow storms (ie: not enjoyable snow days) in Richmond, we have been greater than prepared for a real spring break escape when March rolled round.
This 12 months we headed to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for every week keep at Palmaïa, The Home of AïA, a luxurious all-inclusive wellness resort nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea.
I used to be slightly nervous to take our children to a wellness-focused resort however it ended up being the right mix of leisure, wellness and enjoyable for the entire household.
Why We Selected Palmaïa
Our journey agent, Laura Allen, had this resort on our spring break journey checklist two years in a row. She is aware of about my curiosity in wholesome dwelling and thought it might be a superb choice for us given the 2 bed room household suites, the children pool and the well being and wellness focus!
Getting There
Palmaïa is about 50 minutes from Cancun Worldwide Airport. We booked a non-public switch by way of Mayakoba Expertise, and it was wonderful—they offered a spacious van with automotive seats already put in, which made the whole lot simple with the children, in addition to, drinks (water, beer and juice packing containers) and slightly snack. Extremely suggest this service!
The Setting: Pure Magnificence Meets Trendy Wellness
From the second we arrived it felt like we had stepped right into a serene jungle setting. Palmaïa is designed to really feel like a part of its environment with lush greenery, comfortable sand and beautiful ocean views throughout.
The resort’s structure blends fashionable design with natural supplies, creating a relaxing, elevated ambiance. And since it’s a wellness-focused resort, the power is noticeably completely different: peaceable, intentional and aligned with nature. I stored telling Isaac that the entire place felt very “vibey.”
Our Lodging: Household-Pleasant Suite
We stayed in considered one of their oceanfront grasp household suites and my in-laws keep in an everyday suite proper subsequent door. The household suite was good for touring with two little ones as a result of it has 2 bedrooms – one with a king mattress (the place we slept) and a separate bed room for the children with bunkbeds and their very own rest room.
As a result of our children are on the youthful facet, nobody slept on the highest bunk. Olivia took the underside bunk and we requested a pack and play for Tucker, which labored nice. After a number of days of sleeping in the identical room, Tucker began to have a tough time settling (he was a chatterbox) so we moved his pack and play to the bathe, which has loads of house – we simply needed to be quiet as a result of we left the bathe door open so it wouldn’t get too scorching and stuffy in there! Not tremendous splendid, however it labored for us and was a lot better than our closet expertise throughout your spring break journey final 12 months (extra on that later).
General, our room was spacious, superbly minimalist, and had a stunning ocean view from the fifth ground.
I additionally cherished the eco-conscious touches in our room — boxed water bottles, domestically made bathtub merchandise, and no single-use plastics. And that the mini bar was full of wholesome choices like glowing juices, coconut water and kombucha, in addition to, nuts and dried fruit for snacks.
Holistic Wellness for All Ages
What actually units Palmaïa aside is their Architects of Life program—an ongoing schedule of included wellness actions like yoga, sound therapeutic, meditation and ancestral rituals. Every day, we may select from round 5-6 actions, which began at 7AM.
Since we have been there on a household trip we didn’t get to reap the benefits of as many courses as I’d have favored however we have been capable of take pleasure in a number of. I cherished the yoga and sound baths, whereas Isaac tried a morning breath work class for the primary time (and cherished it!). And one evening all of us did a watercolor class on the seaside (even the children).
Although we didn’t get to do the whole lot, the category schedule was spectacular. They provide cacao ceremonies, girls’s circles, artwork courses, breathwork and a lot extra. You’ll be able to take a look at the total checklist right here to get a really feel for the way deep the choices go.
The Awen Program: Considerate Childcare
Neglect your typical resort youngsters’ golf equipment—Palmaïa’s Awen Program is impressed by Waldorf schooling rules and encourages creativity, nature connection and free play. Virtually all of the toys are wood and there aren’t any screens. Our children coloured with chalk, performed with blocks and a practice set, did slightly gardening and even made bread, all beneath the care of heat, nurturing employees.
You’ll be able to ship potty-trained youngsters ages 3+ to the Awen program on their very own, however youthful youngsters and infants must have an grownup with them or it’s a must to pay to rent an on-staff babysitter. We did this as soon as and the children had a good time. We additionally took the children to play a pair instances and we simply stayed with them!
Meals That Nourishes
As a well being coach and meals lover, I’m all about having fun with scrumptious meals when on trip and I used to be actually excited to attempt the whole lot that Palmaïa needed to supply. The resort is plant-based by default, however they do supply animal protein choices in case you desire. I’d say many of the restaurant menus are about 80% plant-based. Each dish we had—from recent smoothie bowls and vegan tacos (from Charly’s Vegan Taco Truck) to Thai-inspired curry—was vibrant, nourishing, and thoughtfully ready. Even our choosy eaters discovered lots to like.
Our favourite eating places have been Lek and Su Casa. Oh, and as a espresso lover, I’ve to say that I used to be actually impressed with the resort espresso. The shaken chilly brew was soo wonderful. I got here house and instantly began making it. See my shaken chilly brew video.
There have been a number of desserts that weren’t our favourite, however total the meals was actually good!!
And I ought to observe that each time you go to any of the eating places the employees asks if in case you have dietary restrictions or allergy symptoms so that they’re very conscious about this and truthfully in case you are vegan or vegetarian, I doubt you could find a resort with an identical expertise to this. It’s actually one thing particular.
Regardless of it being an all-inclusive resort, you don’t see folks going loopy with alcohol right here and the drinks they do serve are made with recent juices as a substitute of sugary mixes. There may be alcohol for many who need to indulge, however each restaurant begins by providing you with a mocktail menu. Though I’ll say the mocktail menu was the identical in any respect the eating places, which we discovered a tad boring.
No wellness retreat is full and not using a spa day. Isaac and I did the ancestral circuit of their jungle spa (sure, it’s truly within the jungle!). With this we received to a mini temazcal ceremony and swim within the spa cenote.
There are additionally quiet swimming pools, a cold and hot plunge and a small health middle on the property that we have been capable of take pleasure in.
Service That Makes You Really feel Seen
One factor that actually elevated our keep was the service. Everybody on employees was form, intentional, and genuinely invested in making our expertise nice. Our Nomadic Information (like a private concierge) helped us tailor our itinerary, e book wellness classes and make dinner reservations with ease by way of WhatsApp.
Why This Yr Felt Completely different
Just a bit backstory, final 12 months we did our first spring break journey with the children – Olivia was 4 and Tucker was round 20 months. It was their first time touring overseas and each of their first instances flying.
For that journey we stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, one other luxurious all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and whereas it was a stunning trip, this 12 months was even higher for a number of causes.
We have been higher ready as a result of we knew what to anticipate touring with toddlers, the children have been a bit older and fortuitously on this journey Tucker slept a lot better. At Grand Velas the children didn’t have their very own room so we put their cribs within the closets. This labored superb for Olivia however Tucker didn’t sleep effectively in any respect and wakened each morning round 4:45AM. We received the most effective pool loungers however waking up that early was fairly terrible.
Professionals & Cons of Staying at Palmaïa, The Home of AïA
As a lot as we cherished our keep at Palmaïa, I do know everybody travels slightly otherwise—so I put collectively this checklist of execs and cons that can assist you determine if this wellness resort is the fitting match on your subsequent trip.
Whether or not you’re planning a romantic retreat, a solo reset, or a spring break journey with youngsters (like us!), right here’s what stood out throughout our keep—plus a number of issues to bear in mind.
Professionals: What Makes Palmaïa So Particular
Wellness-Targeted Environment
This isn’t only a seaside trip—it’s a complete vibe. Each day yoga, sound therapeutic, meditation, and different holistic courses are included in your keep and led by wonderful guides. Whether or not you’re into breathwork or simply need to decelerate, you’ll really feel so grounded right here.
Eco-Luxurious Setting
Tucked between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea, the complete property is designed to honor nature. It feels luxurious and conscious. Given the jungle vibe, we have been capable of expertise some enjoyable animal sightings together with a number of lizards and some monkeys, which the children cherished.
Plant-Based mostly Gourmand Eating
The meals blew me away. A lot of the menus are plant-forward, however in addition they supply sustainable animal protein choices. The whole lot is superbly plated and scrumptious—even the espresso and smoothies felt next-level.
Household-Pleasant With out Feeling Overrun
Our children cherished the Waldorf-inspired Awen program, and the pool with slides stored them entertained for hours. It was the right steadiness of freedom for them and peace for us.
Spacious, Considerate Rooms
We stayed in an oceanfront suite with bunk beds for the children, and it had the whole lot we wanted—loads of house, calming design, and eco-conscious touches. The one factor that was missing was closet house!
Peaceable, Uncrowded Vibe
This may’ve been considered one of my favourite elements—no preventing for loungers, no loud crowds. Even throughout spring break, it felt like we had the resort to ourselves.
Customized, Heat Service
You’re assigned a Nomadic Information while you test in, which makes the whole lot simpler. They’re there to assist with reservations, questions, and something you want with out being intrusive. In addition they ship you the day by day schedule of actions by way of WhatsApp for the next day each afternoon.
Cons: A Few Issues to Think about
Premium Worth Tag
Palmaïa is a splurge, particularly for households. It’s not your budget-friendly all-inclusive, however the expertise actually does replicate the associated fee.
Not a Typical All-Inclusive
Whereas meals and most actions are included, some high-end alcohol isn’t coated—and there aren’t many grab-and-go meals choices (and no buffet) like at bigger resorts.
Distant, Tranquil Location
The resort is about quarter-hour from Playa del Carmen, so that you received’t be strolling to city or heading out for nightlife. It’s extra about being current and unplugged.
Quiet Evenings
There’s no flashy leisure or reveals at evening—good in case you’re seeking to unwind, however possibly not splendid in case you like nightlife or social occasions.
Plant-Based mostly Menu May Not Be for Everybody
We cherished the meals, however in case you or your youngsters are choosy eaters, it is perhaps a little bit of an adjustment. That they had actually good wooden fired pizza and yummy pasta however the choices have been slightly repetitive for
Not Designed for Teenagers or Excessive-Vitality Youngsters
The vibe is mellow and conscious, which was good for our youthful youngsters, however it might not attraction to teenagers or youngsters who need water slides and action-packed days.
What We Packed
Touring with youngsters all the time takes slightly additional planning. These are the issues we packed that got here in helpful all through the journey.
- Garments – one factor that I actually favored about this resort is that there isn’t a gown code so you possibly can put on no matter you felt like for dinners. The entire resort had a really laid again, causal vibe which I cherished. Right here you could find my outfits, Olivia’s outfits and Tucker’s outfits.
- Pool toys – We knew from our journey to Grand Velas to pack pool and seaside toys and these helped to maintain the children entertained for hours.
- Wholesome snacks – We introduced a number of favorites for the flight and journey days, and it made such a distinction. I shared a fast peek on this Instagram publish in case you’re curious how we packed.
- iPads with downloaded reveals – We downloaded Bluey and some different reveals upfront and used them principally throughout journey — we didn’t watch TV within the room in any respect.
- Sunscreen – Deliver a ton of sunscreen. The solar in Mexico is intense. See my favourite sunscreen right here.
- Reusable water bottles – These have been nice to have for yoga courses and seaside days (simply bear in mind to convey a approach to wash them. I point out this within the ideas part under!).
Suggestions for Your Go to
After spending every week at Palmaïa, there have been a number of issues that actually made our keep simpler and extra pleasant. Hopefully these assist as you propose your personal go to.
- Ebook wellness classes and spa therapies upfront—they will replenish shortly.
- Pack gentle, breathable garments, yoga gear, and water sneakers for jungle walks.
- Embrace the slower tempo and digital detox—the resort encourages mindfulness and connection.
- Obtain WhatsApp earlier than you go. Your Nomadic Information (concierge) will textual content you each afternoon with the schedule of courses and actions for the following day. It’s how they deal with most communication throughout your keep.
- Deliver dish cleaning soap in case you plan to reuse water bottles—we introduced our personal however had no approach to clear them within the room.
- Don’t drink the faucet water—filtered water is accessible all through the resort, and this can be a widespread security tip when visiting Mexico.
- For those who’re bringing a child monitor, be certain that it doesn’t require Wi-Fi. The resort’s community isn’t password protected, and our Nanit screens didn’t join.
Ultimate Ideas + Low cost Code
Palmaïa, The Home of AïA, is a uncommon discover: a resort that delivers luxurious and wellness in equal measure, whereas nonetheless being actually family-friendly. For those who’re in search of a trip that leaves you feeling extra related, rested, and impressed—that is it.
This publish isn’t sponsored in any manner however I reached out to the resort and was capable of get a reduction code I can supply followers in case you determine you need to e book a visit right here in 2025. Ebook a minimal of two nights at Palmaia utilizing Promo Code EBF5 between now and June seventh, 2025, and journey till December thirty first, 2025, to take pleasure in the next advantages: a reduced price of 5%. Restrictions might apply. New bookings solely. Can’t be mixed with different promotions. Black out dates October 31 – November 1 and Dec 21-31.
