Due to rising demand, more hotels and resorts are tapping into local cultures and creating bespoke wellness programming so that guests can feel fully absorbed in their travel experiences. One place that is doing this is Hilton Playa Del Carmen, an all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico. The resort is home to SPAzul—an inviting retreat that offers a menu of ancient holistic Mayan treatments designed to balance the senses:

• Full & New Moon Celebrations begin with a Temezcal Stone Steam Bath to sweat out toxins. After cooling off by an open-air waterfall shower, guests meditate by the beach under the glow of the moon to restore inner balance and equilibrium.

• Nine Leaves Divine Bath treats what the Maya call “the spiritual diseases of the soul” with nine healing herbs, honey, prayers, and acupressure to appeal and recover vital energy while healing the spirit.

• Temezcal Stone Steam Bath, known as the “bath of the emperors,” heals through a purifying steam bath with herbs in which guests rediscover the magical and forgotten art of conversation.

We also had the opportunity to chat with SPAzul’s Manager, Laura Cruz, who shared the inspiration behind the treatments, their numerous benefits, and more:

Why did you decide to add these treatments to your spa menu?

We honor our ancestry and preserving traditions that believe in the power of natural and ancestral medicine.  We've taken our beliefs and the practices of our ancestors, and have integrated them into modernized healing techniques so they are relevant to today's traveler. Not only are we preserving the memories for where we came from, but we're also offering guests a unique cultural experience firsthand while bringing a sense of well-being to the mind, body, and soul. 

What benefits do these treatments offer?

Our Mayan treatments span a variety of modalities and are meant to detox the body through the use of medicinal plants in conjunction with a variety of elements such as water, heat, meditation, and breathing exercises to provide a state of well-being. The goal is to achieve a state of inner peace—the perfect balance while also improving circulation and overall cellular regeneration.

Our Baño Divino de Nueve Hoja (Nine Leaves Divine Bath) is a nice option for guests who aren't as adventurous, and the Temazcal is a must-try for anyone looking for an out-of-the-box type of experience. A Temazcal is a Mayan sweat lodge that dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The ritual, which is led by a shaman, takes place in a small igloo-shaped hut made of stone and is not for the faint of heart. While some guests enough the natural detox and leave feeling refreshed, the 1-2 hour sessions are not ideal for guests with claustrophobia and certain diseases.

Why does offering these treatments elevate your menu for guests looking to connect to Mayan culture?

We have seen an increase in guests expressing a genuine interest in cultural experiences. While we have been offering these treatments and rituals long before culture became on-trend, most recently it has provided us with an opportunity to celebrate our ancestry while providing an immersive experience to our guests. These ancestral rituals are still used today in Mayan communities throughout the region with the objective of healing and keeping the connection with nature. We're not necessarily elevating the guest experience by offering these treatments, but rather honoring the memories of our loved ones through traditions passed down from generation to generation.

For more information and to book a treatment, visit Hilton Playa Del Carmen’s website and follow them on Instagram: @hiltonplayadelcarmen

[Images courtesy of Hilton Playa Del Carmen]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk