Resort Details
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
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Dishonest Practices & Bait-and-Switch Family Policy – Avoid This Resort
I booked a family suite at Palmaia explicitly for my 1- and 3-year-old children, only to discover—a week before travel*—that the resort had quietly updated their policy to ban children under 4. No prior warning, no email, nothing. Had I not meticulously read the fine print, I would’ve arrived with two children only to be hit with a $3,000 extortion fee (their "solution" to honor my original booking). This is unethical and predatory. A "family suite" implies accommodation for families—not a loophole to spring hidden charges. The fact that they retroactively enforced this policy after my booking, then demanded thousands to "allow" my children (who were clearly part of the reservation) is fraudulent behavior. Worse, their customer service showed zero remorse. Instead of honoring the original terms or offering a refund, they prioritized squeezing extra money from guests who’d already committed. This isn’t a policy—it’s a scam. Do not trust this resort. If they’re willing to bait-and-switch on something as fundamental as children in a family suite, they’ll exploit you elsewhere. Save yourself the stress and book with an honest business.
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An unforgettable retreat in paradise—exceptional staff, stunning setting, and deeply nourishing wellness
Palmaïa is pure magic. Tucked into the jungle of Riviera Maya, it felt like living in a dream. The beauty of the resort is unmatched, but what made it unforgettable was the warmth and care of the staff—every smile and interaction felt so genuine and full of love. The attention to detail at The House of Aïa blew my mind—from the stunning decor to the intentional, beautifully crafted mocktails, cocktails, and the incredible food. Knowing it’s all-inclusive made the experience even more freeing and relaxing. One of the highlights was visiting Atlantis, the spa. I had the Mexican massage, which was a beautiful blend of deep tissue work and sacred ceremony—it was deeply healing and exactly what my body and heart needed. I also loved being assigned my Nomadic Guides, Kasandra and Karen, who made me feel so held and supported the entire stay—they were always just a message away. The wellness classes, including yoga and breathwork, were phenomenal and truly fed my soul. I also hosted a retreat here, and the Groups Operations Team—Adriana and Antonieta—were amazing partners in making sure every single detail was aligned with my vision. They made the experience seamless and unforgettable for me and my guests. This was one of the most powerful and beautiful experiences of my life, and I’ll definitely be returning at least once, if not twice, every year. Palmaïa is a true sanctuary.
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What a GREAT experience!
Oh, where to begin....I saw another review on here from a self-proclaimed 'design and food snob' and I was like 'oh, my people'!! So first, design. This is a carefully and thoughtfully designed, nay CURRATED experience. The rooms are full of thoughtful touches, and a clean, modern take on a traditional Mexican design style. The resort is carefully laid out, with a main 'highway' to the north to walk, that touches all areas of the resort. Lovely and shaded during the day, romantic and gently lit at night. Each restaurant has a distinctive ethos and aesthetic, and all are lovely - especially Mar de Olivio, the Italian-inspired dining. The food was fantastic - fresh, light, well-conceived and flawlessly executed. Whether fine dining at Mar de Olivio, casual at Su Casa or the excellent room service, it was all top notch. The gym was small but suitably equipped, we didn't try the spa on this trip, but it looked lovely. The beach was well furnished with comfy seating, served by attentive staff, and had lovely mini cabanas sprinkled throughout. The beach was kept SUPER clean, especially difficult at the height of Sargassum season. But the beach was raked twice a day and it was never a problem. Next, the classes - OH MY GOSH. Amazing, life-changing, thought-provoking and SO well-curated, and exactly what we needed! Balder's 'mind control' was remarkable, and the Cacao Ceremony should not be missed! Lastly, our 'nomadic guides' Kassandra and Karen could not have been more helpful, attentive or responsive. My only complaint is...no, actually, I got nothing. 😏 This place was perfect, and we can't WAIT to go back. It is NOT a traditional large hotel resort. It is smaller, calmer, more thoughtful, more mindful, and more focused. If that's what you are looking for, you won't be disappointed....
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The Most Perfect Place for Wellness and Healing
This is a magical place of peace and healing. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit several all-inclusive resorts and this is – by far – my favorite. My wife and I were able to reconnect on a deep level thanks to the resort’s whole vibe of spiritualness. No loud “party pools” or “forced fun.” The focus is on day-to-day restoration through activities like yoga and mediation. Everyone here from the cleaning staff to those who served us amazing meals were genuine and helpful. We did not run across one apathetic person. The food – all plant based though you can order it with meat, fish, chicken - fed our souls. The beach had plenty of cabanas where to rest in front of a beautiful blue ocean. We are already figuring out when we can return. Many of the guests we met had been there 2 or 3 times. It is easy to see why. If you need a place to slow down - choose Palmaia.
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The ideal location for a beach holiday. Vegans paradise!
What an amazing resort. Facilities, food and service were fantastic. We are vegan and had absolutely no issues with the food. So much choice! The staff were so friendly and helpful. You got your own WhatsApp Group set up so if you need anything you could just message. Everything was clean and comfortable and we loved our sea view room. The daily activities were also great, in particular the sound meditation.