“There is no happiness when we are alone.”
“Perfection does not exist.”
These were just a few words of wisdom that stuck with me from the healers, spiritual guides and teachers at the 234-suite Palmaia - The House of Aia, a holistic wellness resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Known on-site as the “Architects of Life,” these practitioners help demonstrate the property’s overarching philosophy — that a client’s health journey should be effortless and fun; joyful, not judgmental.
A Resort Centered Around Connection
Alex Ferri, the resort’s founder and CEO, comes from a hospitality family that owns Sandos Hotels & Resorts, and Palmaia is actually located next door to Sandos Playacar, accessed through a bamboo tunnel entrance.
The oceanfront Palmaia is Ferri's passion project and reflects his way of life — a nonrestrictive wellness retreat that's not about militant exercise regimens and counting calories, but rather loving and connecting with oneself, nature and one another. It's a gentle approach to detoxification that allows guests to take part in whatever programming best suits their needs.
Only about a quarter of the property's land has been built on, so indigenous flora and fauna thrive. I spotted armadillos, monkeys, anteaters and lizards freely frolicking in the jungles and mangroves during my stay. There are three cenotes on property, as well, and clients are welcome to take a dip.
Most suites have ocean views and spacious terraces, and rooms are entirely free of animal products. Some suites include large soaking tubs with herbal bath salts, with an open layout between the bathroom and bedroom. A complimentary minibar includes locally made kombucha, coconut water, juice, dried fruit and nuts.
A King Suite with an ocean view
Credit: 2026 Palmaia - The House of AiaPlant-Based Paradise
Food at all-inclusives can leave much to be desired, but at Palmaia, the delicious, nutrient-dense menus gently nudge guests toward more healthful diets without sacrificing flavor.
Ferri is vegan, and menu items across Palmaia's six restaurants are all plant-based, with the option to add animal proteins and dairy products such as eggs, cheese, seafood and beef. There are no processed fake meats here either; everything from tofu and tempeh to the chickpea chorizo at the vegan taco truck is made from scratch by a talented culinary team led by chef Charly Garcia, who went from running a steakhouse in Mexico City to starting a vegan food truck in Tulum. That original food truck — Charly’s Vegan Tacos — now sits on the beach at Palmaia, serving a variety of vegan tacos and tostadas, plus a killer raw vegan brownie.
Charly’s Vegan Tacos serves a variety of dishes, including smoked-mushroom and mushroom al pastor tacos.
Credit: 2026 Amber GibsonClients can use a stay at Palmaia as an opportunity to try something new. The “papalmon” bagel — made of smoked papaya cooked sous vide — might not taste like lox, but it's a savory and innovative alternative that so closely resembled salmon in my Instagram photos that professional chefs were fooled.
On-site restaurants serve everything from Mediterranean and Indian to Mexican and pan-Asian fare, with a wide enough variety that there's no chance of palate fatigue. Mexican restaurant Lek was my favorite dinner spot, with blue corn huaraches (a street-food dish that consists of a masa base with various toppings), slow-cooked watermelon tacos al pastor, Yucatan-inspired veggie ceviche and smoky charred broccoli with morita pepper and toasted cumin carrot puree.
Sushi at Asian restaurant Ume was one of the few disappointments for me; I believe sushi connoisseurs will not be impressed with the fish or rice. Suggest clients instead order rich Thai curries or umami-bomb mushroom duxelle dumplings.
Kang Phet Thai red curry from Ume
Credit: 2026 Amber GibsonEverything at Palmaia that has dark chocolate is excellent — the resort team sources cacao from Tabasco and Chiapas for a bean-to-bar program that's supplemented with ethically sourced Valrhona and Republica del Cacao chocolate. Chocolate lovers can also partake in a weekly cacao ceremony with live music to discover the healing powers of this sacred Maya plant medicine.
Expect the Unexpected
Each afternoon, nomadic guides text guests the schedule of complimentary activities for the following day, so that clients can plan accordingly. They helped me make reservations and responded to my questions and requests promptly throughout my stay. There are more than 50 complimentary holistic and health activities each week, from morning pranayama and yoga classes to fitness, art and “rituals of sound” curated music events. Floating sound meditations, classical violin and cello concerts by candlelight, and live DJs at the beach club are just a few examples of how Palmaia harnesses music's power to unify its guests.
Full-body movement classes are far from a typical workout. One day, we were mimicking the movement of various animals — lizards, scorpions and spiders — with movements that felt entirely foreign but fun.
“We are all animals, too, but sometimes we forget,” said Angel Lizarraga, one of my favorite Architects of Life.
Lizarraga's “Grooves and Moves” class ended up being not a dance class as I originally anticipated, but a series of exercises throwing, catching and bouncing tennis balls with strangers using our hands, feet and heads — full of laughter and reminiscent of elementary-school gym class in its playful nature. Private sessions are also available with Architects of Life, including deep-stretching therapy, gratitude rituals and quantum constellations. My private yoga class with Roxy Greco was a highlight during my stay, introducing me to new poses I'd never tried before.
A meditation session at Palmaia
Credit: 2026 Palmaia - The House of AiaBlissful Amenities Abound
Spa treatments are also available for an additional fee, with individual treatment huts scattered throughout the jungle, and a temazcal ceremony each Friday.
While there's plenty to do on property, and most guests don't leave Palmaia until they check out, new off-property excursions are available, as well, such as meeting Mayan families and learning about their daily lives, traditions and organic agriculture projects. These half-day immersions are called Depth, and they must be booked two days in advance; all fees go directly to the Indigenous communities visited.
The entire property is walkable and easy to navigate, with bikes available at several stations throughout. Golf carts are also ready to whisk clients away if they wish.
It's worth noting that the resort currently welcomes those with children 4 years and older, but the on-site kids’ club will be removed in November and replaced with a lounge for guests to meet in person with their nomadic guides. Beginning this November, the resort will only accept children ages 10 and older to preserve a more peaceful wellness environment.
