What’s New At Palmaia House of AiA?

I’ve always been curious about this resort and what guests experience while staying at Palmaia House of AiA.  It’s touted as being the equivalent of staying in Tulum at an all-inclusive resort with a great beach.  (This would appeal to vacationers who enjoy all-inclusives but know that Tulum proper only has one all-inclusive with a lousy beach).  I walked past this resort when it was almost complete and swam in the water, so I know where it is located as well as what the environs are like. If you know where Sandos Playacar is, this resort is the very last one on this southern stretch of Playacar Beach.   As long as the sargassum is under control, Playacar Beach is one of the most beautiful and lengthy stretches of beach in the Riviera Maya.  The resort has tried to retain a natural appearance to the beach area with some mild sand dunes and natural flora remaining; daybeds abound and are cordoned off from the rest of the beach so there is plenty of space for walking or playing on the beach.

Continue reading

Swim-Up Suite at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda–A Suite Review

Here’s another budget, family-friendly all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya which offers great deals many times throughout the year.  It’s called BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, and it’s located north of Playa del Carmen.  While not classified as a mega-resort, BGE has 979 rooms and suites, three pools (no swim-up bar, however), two buffets and six a la carte restaurants, a sports bar (no A/C), six bars including a beach bar with swings, theater, tennis courts, jogging trail, spa and gym, motorized and non-motorized water sports, and kid’s club.  Since the resort is large, it also offers golf cart service to take you around the resort if you wish.

Continue reading

A New Resort That’s Not On Everyone’s Radar…..

I’ll admit, I don’t know much about this new resort, Palmaïa House of AïA, which opened Dec. 2019.  I do know exactly where it’s located, though, because I walked down to this beach area Aug. 2019 when I stayed at Iberostar Tucan.  This resort is located just south of Sandos Playacar in the gated community of Playacar.  Obviously the resort wasn’t finished yet when I saw it from a distance, but from what I did observe it was on a pristine stretch of Playacar beach with many rooms having oceanfront views.  That’s a great start in and of itself.

Continue reading

Right Resort, Wrong Month–A Review of Iberostar Tucan

Iberostar Tucan lobby bar

In the lobby bar at the Tucan

Continue reading