WWW.BUSINESSINSIDER.COM
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.
The accommodations were more than comfortable.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 Palmaa, 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.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.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.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."Palmaa 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 Palmaa 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.The outdoor cacao ceremony was an experience to remember. Rebecca Strong All-inclusive resorts typically offer access to fun activities, but Palmaa'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.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 Palmaa the grounds were super walkable.Even better, Palmaa 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.I relaxed with a book at the pool. Rebecca Strong Palmaa 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.I'd definitely return to Palmaa, The House of AA. 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, Palmaa left me feeling refreshed, renewed, and invigorated and (almost) ready to return to real life.
0 Comments 0 Shares 4 Views