Travel

I spent $1,500 at a wellness resort with ocean views and a personal guide. It's the only all-inclusive I'd return to.

A lobby area filled with different green and gray seating arrangements, hanging wicker lighting fixtures, and potted plants
I paid $1,500 for a three-night stay at Palmaïa, The House of AïA. Rebecca Strong
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For me, traveling is the ultimate act of self-care. So, when I came across a wellness resort called Palmaïa, The House of AïA, on Hotels.com's Perfect Somewheres list — which highlights some of the top 1% of hotels on the company's app — I booked a trip.

I'd seen some of my favorite influencers raving about their stays at the all-inclusive resort located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, so I had high hopes for my trip to the wellness spot.

As a Hotels.com Platinum One Key member, I got a 36% discount when I booked my trip and paid about $1,500 for a three-night stay.

Here's what my experience was like.

The accommodations were more than comfortable.

A bed with white sheets next to a wall with gray stones and a wall with a green pattern
My king suite had high ceilings, a massive bathroom, and sweeping ocean views. Rebecca Strong

During my trip, I stayed in a king suite with an ocean view.

I don't tend to sleep well while traveling, but at Palmaïa, I had no trouble getting seven to eight hours of shuteye. The king-size mattress was perfectly firm, and my room always felt cool.

The high ceilings, chic sitting area, exposed-brick wall, and enormous bathroom with plenty of counter space didn't hurt, either.

I loved the 24-hour room service and took full advantage of it.

A bowl of black-bean soup with a yellow topping, herbs, and tomatoes
Late-night black-bean enfrijoladas hit the spot after a long day of travel. Rebecca Strong

When I arrived at the hotel around midnight, I was excited to learn the resort offered 24-hour room service.

Upon checking in, the receptionist took my order, and a piping-hot dish of black-bean enfrijoladas (a type of enchiladas served with a black-bean sauce) arrived just moments after I was escorted to my room.

Around-the-clock room service also came in handy when I was craving a snack or didn't have time to sit down for breakfast.

The resort's nomadic guide added a personalized touch to my experience.

A lobby area filled with different green and gray seating arrangements, hanging wicker lighting fixtures, and potted plants
My nomadic guide escorted me across the resort when I didn't know how to get to an activity. Rebecca Strong

During my stay, I was assigned a nomadic guide — a staff member who acts as a personal concierge. Each morning, my guide messaged me with updates about the day's scheduled activities and dinner reservations.

They even escorted me from my room to a class when I didn't know how to get there, replaced my room key when I lost mine, and arranged for a staff member to take me to a convenience store for medicine when I developed a sun rash.

There were tons of food options and nonalcoholic beverages to choose from.

A bowl of fruit including apples, pineapples, strawberries, and blueberries, sitting next to a glass of green juice
I loved the range of plant-based dishes available at the resort. Rebecca Strong

The resort has four main restaurants, all of which I enjoyed dining at. Many of the creative takes on traditional Mexican dishes were flavorful and nutrient-rich — think waffles infused with matcha and plant-based poke bowls with marinated watermelon "tuna."

Palmaïa offered lots of vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free items. However, as someone who doesn't have any dietary restrictions, I appreciated that I had the option to add barbacoa to my tacos or real Parmesan to my salads.

I also loved that Palmaïa had unique nonalcoholic drinks with the option to add liquor. The restaurants offered wine and cocktails, but alcohol didn't seem to be a central part of the resort's social environment.

The activities were super unique.

Three instructors sit on a mat with an arrangement filled with bowls and candles outdoors
The outdoor cacao ceremony was an experience to remember. Rebecca Strong

All-inclusive resorts typically offer access to fun activities, but Palmaïa's daily itineraries were truly one-of-a-kind.

I participated in a few activities — including a mindfulness-focused drawing session and a primal-movement class — but my favorite experience was an outdoor cacao ceremony.

This session, inspired by Mayan tradition, involved setting intentions and drinking a ceremonial cacao beverage while listening to live music.

Getting around the grounds was a breeze.

View of a woman in a black outfit riding a bike with palm trees in the foreground
I took full advantage of the on-site bikes. Rebecca Strong

I've been to resorts that are so sprawling it takes 15 minutes or longer to walk from my room to a restaurant. Luckily, this wasn't the case at Palmaïa — the grounds were super walkable.

Even better, Palmaïa offered complimentary bicycles for guests to use around the property. I used them when I was rushing to scheduled activities or just wanted to feel the breeze on my face.

I never had to fight for a beach or poolside chair.

A hand holds a tan book with text that says "Language of the Body" over a pool, with the writer's legs stretched above the water
I relaxed with a book at the pool. Rebecca Strong

Palmaïa had no shortage of places to swim or relax with a good book.

There were a few infinity, adults-only, and kid-friendly pools in front of the guest-room buildings. The long stretch of beach in front of the resort also had ample cabanas and lounge chairs.

There were even some cenotes — large natural pools — in a jungle area on the property.

The trip was a tad expensive — but I'd go back in a heartbeat.

A greenhouse filled with palm trees, bonsai, and other plants with a glass roof looking onto trees
I'd definitely return to Palmaïa, The House of AïA. Rebecca Strong

This trip may have been a splurge, but it was well worth the $1,500. In the past, I've often found myself coming home from all-inclusive getaways feeling worse than when I arrived — maybe due to all the food, alcohol, and sedentary time on the beach.

However, between the engaging activities, the nutrient-dense meals, and the attentive staff catering to my every need, Palmaïa left me feeling refreshed, renewed, and invigorated — and (almost) ready to return to real life.

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Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based freelance writer and podcast host covering health and wellness, lifestyle, beauty, and travel. In addition to writing for Business Insider Reviews, she has also contributed to Health.com, Healthline, Men's Health, Bustle, Well+Good, StyleCaster, PopSugar, Eat This Not That, and AskMen. In April 2024, she appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss one of her Business Insider articles for Drew's "It's Trending!" segment. You can tune into her podcast Well-Bent on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or follow along on Twitter and Instagram.