A full recap of our spring break trip to Palmaïa, The House of AïA, a luxury resort that blends wellness, fun and relaxation.

After months of our winter routine, and a few icy snow storms (ie: not fun snow days) in Richmond, we were more than ready for a true spring break escape when March rolled around.

This year we headed to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a week stay at Palmaïa, The House of AïA, a luxury all-inclusive wellness resort nestled between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea.

I was a little nervous to take our kids to a wellness-focused resort but it ended up being the perfect blend of relaxation, wellness and fun for the whole family.

Why We Chose Palmaïa

Our travel agent, Laura Allen, had this resort on our spring break trip list two years in a row. She knows about my interest in healthy living and thought it would be a good option for us given the two bedroom family suites, the kids pool and the health and wellness focus!

Getting There

Palmaïa is about 50 minutes from Cancun International Airport. We booked a private transfer through Mayakoba Experience, and it was amazing—they provided a spacious van with car seats already installed, which made everything easy with the kids, as well as, drinks (water, beer and juice boxes) and a little snack. Highly recommend this service!

The Setting: Natural Beauty Meets Modern Wellness

From the moment we arrived it felt like we had stepped into a serene jungle setting. Palmaïa is designed to feel like part of its surroundings with lush greenery, soft sand and gorgeous ocean views all around.

The resort’s architecture blends modern design with organic materials, creating a calming, elevated atmosphere. And because it’s a wellness-focused resort, the energy is noticeably different: peaceful, intentional and aligned with nature. I kept telling Isaac that the whole place felt very “vibey.”

Our Accomdations Family-Friendly Luxury Suite

We stayed in one of their oceanfront master family suites and my in-laws stay in a regular suite right next door. The family suite was perfect for traveling with two little ones because it has 2 bedrooms – one with a king bed (where we slept) and a separate bedroom for the kids with bunkbeds and their own bathroom.

Because our kids are on the younger side, no one slept on the top bunk. Olivia took the bottom bunk and we requested a pack and play for Tucker, which worked great. After a few days of sleeping in the same room, Tucker started to have a hard time settling (he was a chatterbox) so we moved his pack and play to the shower, which has plenty of space – we just had to be quiet because we left the shower door open so it wouldn’t get too hot and stuffy in there! Not super ideal, but it worked for us and was much better than our closet experience during your spring break trip last year (more on that later).

Overall, our room was spacious, beautifully minimalist, and had a lovely ocean view from the 5th floor.

I also loved the eco-conscious touches in our room — boxed water bottles, locally made bath products, and no single-use plastics. And that the mini bar was filled with healthy options like sparkling juices, coconut water and kombucha, as well as, nuts and dried fruit for snacks.

Holistic Wellness for All Ages

What truly sets Palmaïa apart is their Architects of Life program—an ongoing schedule of included wellness activities like yoga, sound healing, meditation and ancestral rituals. Each day, we could choose from around 5-6 activities, which started at 7AM.

Since we were there on a family vacation we didn’t get to take advantage of as many classes as I would have liked but we were able to enjoy a few. I loved the yoga and sound baths, while Isaac tried a morning breath work class for the first time (and loved it!). And one night we all did a watercolor class on the beach (even the kids).

Even though we didn’t get to do everything, the class schedule was impressive. They offer cacao ceremonies, women’s circles, art classes, breathwork and so much more. You can check out the full list here to get a feel for how deep the offerings go.

The Awen Program: Thoughtful Childcare

Forget your typical resort kids’ clubs—Palmaïa’s Awen Program is inspired by Waldorf education principles and encourages creativity, nature connection and free play. Almost all the toys are wooden and there are no screens. Our kids colored with chalk, played with blocks and a train set, did a little gardening and even made bread, all under the care of warm, nurturing staff.

You can send potty-trained kids ages 3+ to the Awen program on their own, but younger kids and babies need to have an adult with them or you have to pay to hire an on-staff babysitter. We did this once and the kids had a great time. We also took the kids to play a couple times and we just stayed with them!

Food That Nourishes

As a health coach and food lover, I’m all about enjoying delicious food when on vacation and I was really excited to try everything that Palmaïa had to offer. The resort is plant-based by default, but they do offer animal protein options if you prefer. I’d say most of the restaurant menus are about 80% plant-based. Every dish we had—from fresh smoothie bowls and vegan tacos (from Charly’s Vegan Taco Truck) to Thai-inspired curry—was vibrant, nourishing, and thoughtfully prepared. Even our picky eaters found plenty to love.

Our favorite restaurants were Lek and Su Casa. Oh, and as a coffee lover, I have to mention that I was really impressed with the resort coffee. The shaken cold brew was soo amazing. I came home and immediately started making it. See my shaken cold brew video.

There were a few desserts that weren’t our favorite, but overall the food was really good!!

And I should note that every time you visit any of the restaurants the staff asks if you have dietary restrictions or allergies so they’re very mindful about this and honestly if you are vegan or vegetarian, I doubt you can find a resort with a similar experience to this. It’s truly something special.

Despite it being an all-inclusive resort, you don’t see people going crazy with alcohol here and the drinks they do serve are made with fresh juices instead of sugary mixes. There is alcohol for those who want to indulge, but every restaurant starts by giving you a mocktail menu. Although I will say the mocktail menu was the same at all the restaurants, which we found a tad boring.

The Spa + Extras

No wellness retreat is complete without a spa day. Isaac and I did the ancestral circuit in their jungle spa (yes, it’s actually in the jungle!). With this we got to a mini temazcal ceremony and swim in the spa cenote.

There are also quiet pools, a hot and cold plunge and a small fitness center on the property that we were able to enjoy.

Service That Makes You Feel Seen

One thing that truly elevated our stay was the service. Everyone on staff was kind, intentional, and genuinely invested in making our experience great. Our Nomadic Guide (like a personal concierge) helped us tailor our itinerary, book wellness sessions and make dinner reservations with ease through WhatsApp.

Why This Year Felt Different

Just a little backstory, last year we did our first spring break trip with the kids – Olivia was 4 and Tucker was around 20 months. It was their first time traveling out of the country and both of their first times flying.

For that trip we stayed at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, another luxury all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and while it was a lovely vacation, this year was even better for a few reasons.

We were better prepared because we knew what to expect traveling with toddlers, the kids were a bit older and luckily on this trip Tucker slept much better. At Grand Velas the kids didn’t have their own room so we put their cribs in the closets. This worked fine for Olivia but Tucker didn’t sleep well at all and woke up every morning around 4:45AM. We got the best pool loungers but waking up that early was pretty awful.

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Pros & Cons of Staying at Palmaïa, The House of AïA

As much as we loved our stay at Palmaïa, I know everyone travels a little differently—so I put together this list of pros and cons to help you decide if this wellness resort is the right fit for your next vacation.

Whether you’re planning a romantic retreat, a solo reset, or a spring break trip with kids (like us!), here’s what stood out during our stay—plus a few things to keep in mind.

Pros: What Makes Palmaïa So Special

Wellness-Focused Atmosphere
This isn’t just a beach vacation—it’s a whole vibe. Daily yoga, sound healing, meditation, and other holistic classes are included in your stay and led by amazing guides. Whether you’re into breathwork or just want to slow down, you’ll feel so grounded here.

Eco-Luxury Setting
Tucked between the jungle and the Caribbean Sea, the entire property is designed to honor nature. It feels luxurious and mindful. Given the jungle vibe, we were able to experience some fun animal sightings including lots of lizards and a few monkeys, which the kids loved.

Plant-Based Gourmet Dining
The food blew me away. Most of the menus are plant-forward, but they also offer sustainable animal protein options. Everything is beautifully plated and delicious—even the coffee and smoothies felt next-level.

Family-Friendly Without Feeling Overrun
Our kids loved the Waldorf-inspired Awen program, and the pool with slides kept them entertained for hours. It was the perfect balance of freedom for them and peace for us.

Spacious, Thoughtful Rooms
We stayed in an oceanfront suite with bunk beds for the kids, and it had everything we needed—plenty of space, calming design, and eco-conscious touches. The only thing that was lacking was closet space!

Peaceful, Uncrowded Vibe
This might’ve been one of my favorite parts—no fighting for loungers, no loud crowds. Even during spring break, it felt like we had the resort to ourselves.

Personalized, Warm Service
You’re assigned a Nomadic Guide when you check in, which makes everything easier. They’re there to help with reservations, questions, and anything you need without being intrusive. They also send you the daily schedule of activities via WhatsApp for the following day every afternoon.

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Cons: A Few Things to Consider

Premium Price Tag
Palmaïa is a splurge, especially for families. It’s not your budget-friendly all-inclusive, but the experience really does reflect the cost.

Not a Typical All-Inclusive
While meals and most activities are included, some high-end alcohol isn’t covered—and there aren’t many grab-and-go food options (and no buffet) like at larger resorts.

Remote, Tranquil Location
The resort is about 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen, so you won’t be walking to town or heading out for nightlife. It’s more about being present and unplugged.

Quiet Evenings
There’s no flashy entertainment or shows at night—perfect if you’re looking to unwind, but maybe not ideal if you like nightlife or social events.

Plant-Based Menu Might Not Be for Everyone
We loved the food, but if you or your kids are picky eaters, it might be a bit of an adjustment. They had really good wood fired pizza and yummy pasta but the options were a little repetitive for

Not Designed for Teens or High-Energy Kids
The vibe is mellow and mindful, which was perfect for our younger kids, but it may not appeal to teens or kids who want water slides and action-packed days.

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What We Packed

Traveling with kids always takes a little extra planning. These are the things we packed that came in handy throughout the trip.

• Clothes – one thing that I really liked about this resort is that there isn’t a dress code so you could wear whatever you felt like for dinners. The whole resort had a very laid back, causal vibe which I loved. Here you can find my outfits, Olivia’s outfits and Tucker’s outfits.
• Pool toys – We knew from our trip to Grand Velas to pack pool and beach toys and these helped to keep the kids entertained for hours.
• Healthy snacks – We brought a few favorites for the flight and travel days, and it made such a difference. I shared a quick peek in this Instagram post if you’re curious how we packed.
• iPads with downloaded shows – We downloaded Bluey and a few other shows in advance and used them mostly during travel — we didn’t watch TV in the room at all.
• Sunscreen – Bring a ton of sunscreen. The sun in Mexico is intense. See my favorite sunscreen here.
• Reusable water bottles – These were great to have for yoga classes and beach days (just remember to bring a way to wash them. I mention this in the tips section below!).

Tips for Your Visit

After spending a week at Palmaïa, there were a few things that really made our stay easier and more enjoyable. Hopefully these help as you plan your own visit.

• Book wellness sessions and spa treatments in advance—they can fill up quickly.
• Pack light, breathable clothes, yoga gear, and water shoes for jungle walks.
• Embrace the slower pace and digital detox—the resort encourages mindfulness and connection.
• Download WhatsApp before you go. Your Nomadic Guide (concierge) will text you every afternoon with the schedule of classes and activities for the next day. It’s how they handle most communication during your stay.
• Bring dish soap if you plan to reuse water bottles—we brought our own but had no way to clean them in the room.
• Don’t drink the tap water—filtered water is available throughout the resort, and this is a common safety tip when visiting Mexico.
• If you’re bringing a baby monitor, make sure it doesn’t require Wi-Fi. The resort’s network isn’t password protected, and our Nanit monitors didn’t connect.

Final Thoughts + Discount Code

Palmaïa, The House of AïA, is a rare find: a resort that delivers luxury and wellness in equal measure, while still being truly family-friendly. If you’re looking for a vacation that leaves you feeling more connected, rested, and inspired—this is it.

This post isn’t sponsored in any way but I reached out to the resort and was able to get a discount code I can offer followers if you decide you want to book a trip here in 2025. Book a minimum of 2 nights at Palmaia using Promo Code EBF5 between now and June 7th, 2025, and travel until December 31st, 2025, to enjoy the following benefits: a discounted rate of 5%. Restrictions may apply. New bookings only. Cannot be combined with other promotions. Black out dates October 31 – November 1 and Dec 21-31.