Miraval Berkshires

The third addition to the Miraval Resort & Spa portfolio—which was founded in 1995 with flagship property Miraval Arizona and includes a sister spa in Austin, Texas—Miraval Berkshires opened in July 2020 and quickly became one of our most-booked properties in the northeast—a herculean feat, during the pandemic. Set amid 380 bucolic acres of rolling hills and forests in historic Lenox, Massachusetts, Miraval Berkshires is a year-round retreat that takes a dynamic, soulful and unrestricted approach to wellness. The program promotes seeking a “life in balance” and discovering moments of personal transformation (big and small), through spa and beauty treatments, yoga and meditation, mindful (but satisfied) eating, immersion in nature through outdoor adventures and passion-driven activities like painting, dance, golf, equine therapy, gardening and cooking. Guests can easily fill their days here with a selection of Miraval's daily complimentary and specialty programs, along with time to lounge by the outdoor pool and enjoy treatments in the 29,000-square-foot spa; plus, those seeking to venture off-property will find wonderful hiking trails in the summer, spring and fall and access to snowy ski runs in the winter.

The Standout: The warm, caring and fascinating team of specialists and guides, who immediately make guests feel welcome and at ease. They truly set the Miraval experience apart through their investment in helping each visitor achieve self-discovery and personal growth.

Don't Miss: One of the outdoor adventure activities—whether you prefer traversing tightropes in the trees, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, biking or running. Miraval Berkshires is surrounded by gorgeous woods and natural lakes, many of which are preserved, and the ability to immerse yourself in the beauty of this nature is one of the property's best features.

Surrounded by 380 pastoral acres of Berkshires woods and farmland, with a 29,000-square-foot spa with 28 treatment rooms (as well as a fitness studio, yoga facilities and two outdoor pools), a small organic farm, an 18-hole golf course and tennis courts, a ropes course and plenty of space for outdoor activities, Miraval Berkshires offers a robust wellness retreat where travelers of all interests can pursue health and fitness goals, seek spiritual transformation or simply unwind in a beautiful natural setting. Just a three-and-a-half-hour’s drive north of New York City and a three-hour’s drive west of Boston, the property is a welcome spa addition for northeast-based travelers, who might otherwise have to make the trek to Arizona or California for a restorative long weekend or extended stay.

With two established (and beloved) properties in Tucson, Arizona and Austin, Texas, Miraval has cultivated a well-rounded brand that promotes seeking a “life in balance." Above all, Miraval hopes to guide guests to discover moments of personal transformation, big and small. Whatever challenges you may be facing—whether you’re tackling a major lifestyle shift or processing grief, or you’re just due for a reset—the Miraval experience welcomes guests to chart their own wellness journey, based on their needs, asking only that they keep an open mind and heart. Choice is a primary focus here, and the property's team of warm and talented specialists aim to empower guests to identify and achieve their own goals, without the pressure or pushing of a boot camp experience.

The property is set across nearly two-dozen historic cottages that contain the activity studios and 100 guest rooms and suites, all connected by enclosed corridors, and some outdoor pathways, and centered around the outdoor pool deck, meditation garden and main hall, where guests will find the lobby, all-day Harvest Moon restaurant, Roost Café and Bar and well-edited Miraval boutique. The majority of the property is designated as a digital-device-free zone, with certain public areas marked for cellphone or laptop use (outside of the guest rooms). This device-free policy is enforced, although guests are welcome to have their phones on hand to take pictures.

The interiors were designed by Clodagh, and the aesthetic of the property evokes the rustic, all-American simplicity of the Berkshires, with materials like wool, iron and wood prevailing, with a muted color scheme of burnt orange, navy, white and grey-blue (note: some Indagare members have commented that the look leans a bit “corporate”). The beds are incredibly plush and roomy, while the bathrooms are sleek and spacious; in-room amenities include a flat-screen television, a mini-fridge and coffee maker and a small, semi-private outdoor patio or balcony. The largest room category is a one-bedroom suite, but it is possible for families and larger groups to take over a cottage for a more secluded experience. Throughout the property's wellness facilities, and particularly in the spa, a contemporary, minimalist look prevails—but overall, the vibe is homey, relaxed and approachable.

The Life-in-Balance Spa features 28 treatment rooms as well as several serene spaces for lounging and relaxing, in addition to a sauna and steam room and several hot tubs and pools. There is also a Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen, outfitted by Williams Sonoma, that is used for interactive culinary and mixology workshops.

Additionally, the Miraval Berkshires shares its property with a historic, Gilded Age mansion, which can be reached from the main hall by just a short walk. Formerly known as Cranwell, and now open under the name "Wyndhurst Manor & Club," the property offers a more traditional countryside getaway, with 11 newly renovated rooms and suites within the mansion, and 36 additional accommodations spread throughout four cottages; this is also where the golf course, established in 1926 by Wayne Stiles and John Van Kleek, is located. Wyndhurst does not have a wellness focus, but Miraval guests who are looking to add a unique element to their stay may wish to venture over to admire the 19th-century architecture, have a drink at the bar or dine at one of the two American tavern-style restaurants. In turn (subject to availability), Wyndhurst guests may be able to purchase day passes to enjoy the spa facilities at Miraval.

Couples, adult child-parent pairs (the resort has an age minimum of 18), friends and solo travelers looking for a balanced wellness getaway that is low-key yet impactful and involves a sense of fun and adventure, in a relaxed and beautiful setting. The Miraval program empowers individuals to focus on their own interests and curate their experience to the intensity level that they seek; those looking for specialized health programs and an intensely structured detox, “boot-camp” or ashram-type experience will be happier elsewhere. Travelers looking to add on further adventures in the Berkshires and upstate New York will also enjoy Miraval's central location.

In the words of Indagare member Catherine M., who visited the property in the summer of 2021: "Hatchet throwing, tai chi saber work and a 50 foot high ropes course might not scream 'pampering,' but if it’s a life-affirming, body- mind- and spirit-positive weekend away you’re seeking, the spa you seek is Miraval Berkshires. Miraval could be described as 'summer camp for grownups plus a spa,' but that doesn’t do this experience justice. It’s surprising, energizing and validating. You can go from a belay to a body scrub, chicken farming to crystal healing, plant meditation to poolside in a matter of hours. In a word—it’s fun. The philosophy is to celebrate the moment and show gratitude for the present, and it is a blessed relief to be at a spa for three days and never hearing the words 'detox' or 'cleanse.' 'Life in Balance' is the Miraval motto, and it’s not just marketing-speak. Every activity, treatment and session involves client participation and engagement."

Related: Just Back From: Finding Balance in the Berkshires at the New Miraval Spa