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Sitting atop a hill crest in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts, Miraval Berkshires is tucked among Lenox’s most illustrious Gilded Age properties and is reminiscent of the pure opulence of eras past. This luxury spa resort, a property that boasts its own 19th-century Gilded Age mansion as part of its offerings, preaches more than just extravagance or mere rest and relaxation, however. Seamlessly blending the art of luxe comfort with the mission of mindfulness, body consciousness, wellness, and balance as actioned by its exceptional staff and curated slate of activities and amenities, Miraval Berkshires is more than a fun getaway—it is and becomes a lifestyle.
While we've written an extensive guide on Miraval Berkshires before, when offered to take an insider look, we were delighted to take the journey to this mindfulness Mecca. Experiencing, from start to finish, the attentive concierge service to the hassle-free departure process, we walked away from Miraval Berkshires with a renewed appreciation for travel and the opportunity to pause and reflect.
Pre-Arrival: Planning The Journey
The journey truly begins before one even sets foot on the property. Perspective clients can inquire and book with Miraval via their comprehensive website, and once the booking is complete, clients can either engage with an Experience Planner to begin planning their stay or can book activities and services directly online with details of the booking.
It is recommended to plan and book activities and spa/salon services at least 1-1.5 months ahead of the stay to ensure guests can create their optimal schedule. Upon our booking, we chose to work with an Experience Planner to map our stay, and it was the easiest process—they were attentive, responsive, and crafted the perfect schedule. With everything squared away well ahead of arrival, there really was nothing left to do but to look forward to the stay!
How to Get There & Arrival Experience
Getting to Miraval Berkshires is a breeze, especially given the resort’s uncomplicated location and their extensive transfer services. If traveling from Boston by car, the resort is a relative “straight shot” on I-90 across the state (this makes it a fantastic day trip option from Boston, but more on that later!); fun fact: car travelers will pass over the highest elevation point east of South Dakota on I-90 when headed to Miraval! (Side note: everyone should do an I-90 road trip at least once in their lives).
Due to Miraval's and other wellness spas' proximity to New York, the resort has great ground transportation options. If traveling by either train or plane, then Miraval offers a complimentary shuttle service from Bradley International Airport, Pittsfield Municipal Airport, and Wassaic Train Station. Simply email or call their Transportation Department at least 72 hours before arrival to arrange pick-up. Upon arrival at the airport, clients can make their way to baggage claim, and a Miraval driver will greet guests with a sign that says their name—talk about VIP treatment even before getting to the resort!
At check-in, guests receive an extremely useful arrival gift—a branded Miraval Berkshires sports bag and accompanying water bottle! We found ourselves using this gift throughout our entire stay—it’s so practical when heading from place to place on Miraval’s extensive property.
Guests are permitted to arrive at the property early, even though check-in is in the mid-afternoon. They provide a secure bag check so guests can enjoy their first full day at their property. At check-in time, guests can make their way to their rooms to settle into their accommodations. Miraval Berkshires recommends not booking any activities in the first 60-90 minutes of a guest’s stay. We can confirm that this recommendation should be heeded; in order to get fully oriented with the 380-acre property and to check out our accommodations, we took an entire hour and wished we had budgeted that extra half hour of time! Special shout out to Chef Eric for saving this poor, confused, lost writer.
Digital Device Free Zone
In supporting and enhancing their wellness mission and the accompanying environment, Miraval Berkshires is a mostly “Digital Device Free Zone,” meaning phones, tablets, and laptops are not permitted in most public spaces in and around the main resort.
This doesn’t mean visitors need to be totally tech-free—devices can be used in rooms and in special “digital device” zones (which are often set up with comfortable seating arrangements). Phones are permitted throughout the property, and guests may take pictures or videos to document their stay. Just no scrolling, long text convos, or talking convos. While a little worried at first, we found this policy to be incredibly refreshing. It reminded us that there are other things to do and see in our world than just what’s on our phones—this writer even finished a book!
The Luxury Accommodations
Miraval Berkshires provides a variety of different accommodation configurations that suits the needs of different parties of guests. The Wyndhurst Mansion, the aforementioned Gilded Age mansion on the property, houses 10 beautiful rooms, renovated to fit the needs and wants of modern luxury. Though we were in the resort’s other accommodations, a fellow traveler who was staying at the mansion expressed a deep love for the mansion room’s bathrooms and tubs. We were placed in Serenity Cottage, one of the property’s series of cottages connected to the central “campus” of activities via weather-proof hallways (which, during our snowy stay, we greatly appreciated). The cottage rooms and suites feature different configurations depending on travelers’ needs.
Our room, an end room with an adorable petite patio, had all the fixings of elegant luxury—rich linens, a well-stocked coffee corner, and a grand marble-clad bathroom with deluxe amenities, good for both the body and soul. The room was smartly laid out with great attention to detail; reading lights and USB ports on each side of the bed, a meditative bronze bowl set out for mindful use, and a small fridge with a self-filtering pitcher of ice-cold water were among the most thoughtfully outfitted things in the room. And, of course, as a luxury resort with a spa, rooms were stocked with brilliant white bathrobes and comfortable slippers.
Larger groups traveling together can also book Miraval’s Carriage Houses, a larger suite-like accommodation with a kitchenette and dry bar. Though neither the Mansion nor the Carriage Houses are directly connected to the main resort like the Cottages are, nothing is too far away, so walking to and from activities isn’t too much of a hassle. However, if guests are hoping to optimize their time, then staying in a Cottage could be a preferred option.
Dining Options
Hassle-free relaxation really is the name of the game for this resort; booking here means guests are booking an all-inclusive stay. All meals at Miraval Berkshire’s main dining restaurant, Harvest Moon, are included, as are all non-alcoholic drinks. While this may evoke images of mass-produced foods and chaotic buffets, this is the furthest from how Miraval does it.
While breakfast and lunch have carefully curated buffet and menu options, dinner is an elegant sit-down experience with a rotating daily (and extensive!) menu of fresh, seasonal, and intentional meal choices. While healthy mindfulness is a priority for Miraval, the resort does not, by any means, try to prohibit vacation indulgences. Their offerings of dessert and sweet treats satisfy even the sweetest of tooths. Alcohol can be served either in the restaurant or the neighboring bar, The Roost—it's just at an additional cost. Often, wellness resorts abide by a “dry” policy, but Miraval seeks to strike the balance of conscious health and enjoyment during a vacation.
As a traveler with many food allergies and intolerances as well, this writer particularly appreciated how Miraval’s menu indicated allergens. It made the dining experience a breezy delight without the anxious fear of ingesting something accidentally. And if we didn’t already feel the anxiety draining away at this point, Harvest Moon’s tranquil low-lit atmosphere really lulled us into a place of pure relaxation.
The Roost is open throughout the day, providing smoothies, pastries, teas, coffees, and juices, as well as “Grab ‘n’ Go” options for an on-the-go snack. In the evenings, guests can enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine here, too; the space is surrounded by cozy fireplaces and comfortable chairs. Once again, the attention to detail in this space is remarkable—carefully rolled blankets are placed around the seats for guests’ enjoyment, and puzzles are available for guests’ use.
In-room dining is also available at Miraval, with a smaller but equally delicious menu than Harvest Moon. There is an additional delivery fee for this service as well, but a great option for those wanting to take advantage of the beautiful rooms. There are also plenty of add-on dining and food-related experiences as well, including cooking classes, tea at Wyndhurst Mansion, and meals with a dietitian, to name a few…
Action-Packed Activities
The activity offerings at Miraval really put other all-inclusive resorts and cruises to shame (no shade to cruises, they are some truly excellent contenders out there!). Not only are the activities incredibly diverse, spanning from mindfulness classes (like meditation) to fitness sessions to cooking and farming experiences, but each kind of activity also teaches guests that, at life’s core, there should be enjoyment in balance.
As we mentioned before, Experience Planners can help guests specially curate activities and classes to suit guests’ needs and wants. Complimentary activities included in guests’ stay include opportunities like hair health classes, cardio classes, meditation, farm tours, and food classes. The use of Miraval’s fitness center, called the Body Mindfulness Center, is also included in the core package; here, guests can use traditional gym equipment, swim in the wonderfully maintained indoor pool, or use the locker room facilities to freshen up.
Miraval also offers premium activities for an additional cost; these opportunities are truly special sessions where guests can participate in all sorts of different therapies, fitness classes, cooking/food experiences, and outdoor activities. It’s also possible to book private sessions with any teachers or professionals, so guests can learn even more in-depth about certain topics. While we chose a pottery class as our premium activity, we’re definitely eyeing floating meditation/aerial yoga, hatchet throwing, equine therapy, and mushroom-growing activities for our next stay. Premium activities range in price from as low as $49 to upwards of $200, so it’s possible to mix and match price points.
A Luxe Spa And Treatments
Integral to Miraval’s mission of mindful relaxation is the resort’s crown jewel facility—the spa. Outfitted with Men’s and Women’s facilities and co-ed facilities, the use of the spa’s pools, hot tubs, and lounges is included in a guest’s stay. Here, guests are able to grab another robe, borrow water-friendly slippers, and spend the day lounging by fire pits or soothing water features. Remember to bring a swimsuit! The pools are so very worth it.
The Spa also offers premium services that guests can add to their stay for an additional charge. This includes some amazing massages, full-body treatments, facials, and therapies. We went for the Pradhana Veda treatment, an oil massage treatment that utilized Ayurvedically-inspired techniques of elemental balance. The treatment was truly one of the best spa experiences, and it ended with a slow pour of rich oil over the hair. Not only was the soul nourished, but the hair, skin, and muscles were nourished too!
This, by far, was one of the best spots on the property to relax in a luxurious, quiet environment. The women’s-only side of the spa has a fantastic extra perk, a glass ceiling-ed lounge with a central fireplace. It’s a perfect place to cuddle up among the pillows, snag a fluffy blanket from the blanket rack (yes they had a tastefully stocked blanket rack), and read a good book.
The Price Tag & Day Passes
So at the end of it all, how much should guests anticipate spending on this mindfulness getaway? Prices during the “off-season” (winter to spring) begin a little south of $1,000 per night for one of their double queen beds or king bedrooms. During the high season, this price migrates north of that $1,000 mark with higher price points for suites, cottages, and the Wyndhurst Mansion.
While the price tag can get steep, bear in mind that this is an inclusive experience, with food and non-alcoholic drinks included, as well as many complimentary classes. Given how premium the experience and the amenities are, the time away from real life felt like an investment in a future lifestyle. Miraval Berkshires also runs promotions occasionally, so potential clients have the ability to snag a luxury stay on a lower budget. For example, the resort ran a “Stay 2 nights, get the 3rd-night free” promotion this off-season. It is also worth noting that Miraval is a tip-free property, which truly alleviates the anxiety of unexpected costs.
Travelers hoping to engage in the activities but who don’t necessarily need to stay in Miraval’s overnight accommodations can also purchase a day pass. The best way to get an idea of pricing for this—especially when it comes to the additional activities—is to contact Miraval directly with the preferred date and activities.
Overall Impressions
So was this everything we had hoped it would be? Simply put—yes. The resort lived up to its luxury aspirations while teaching us a thing or two about what it meant to be balanced, mindful, and healthy. The time spent was, at the risk of sounding dramatic, pretty life-changing.
The real stand out of everything, beyond the fabulous food, the plush linens, and or even the spa, was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was a true delight; it seemed the entire staff genuinely loved their jobs and really believed in the mission of the resort. That extended to the guests, and it was so lovely to see the same friendly faces throughout the campus. The caliber of staff at Miraval Berkshires truly rivaled some of the best service and wellness experiences we’ve ever had, and guests can rest assured that they’re in the friendliest of hands from Jack at Harvest Moon to Veronica, Creative Expression Specialist to Janae, the dietitian on staff.
The Gilded Age can have its classic opulence—we’ll take Miraval Berkshire’s modern take on luxury, wellness, and relaxation any day.