Review: Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa

Why book? This isn’t your grandmother’s Berkshires—visit this buzzy, sleek, all-inclusive retreat when your body and mind need a total reset.

Set the scene: Well-heeled New Yorkers and Bostonians appreciate Miraval’s location in the heart of the Berkshires. Everyone here drinks the wellness kool-aid—from Lululemon yogis perfecting their headstands to tree huggers taking beekeeping classes. It’s not the best place to take the kids (the resort is 18 and older), but we did notice a lot of grown-up mother-daughter duos.

The backstory: After opening successful locations in Tucson, Arizona and Austin, Texas, Miraval set its sights on the Berkshires, centrally located to attract wellness lovers from both Boston and New York City. You can expect all the signature Miraval trademarks you’ll find at the brand’s two other locations—health-centric dining options, an epic pool area perfect for lounging, and rescued horses for equine therapy. A staff beekeeper offers classes that are part ecology lesson, part self-help workshop about how interconnected we all are with nature.

The rooms: Don’t come here expecting the oriental rugs and Colonial-era antiques you’ll find at so many other Berkshires hotels. The vibe here is calm, cool, and collected, with a pared-back aesthetic to match. Our room came with plenty of concealed closet space, which was ironic, considering you’ll probably be wearing the same pair of yoga pants your entire stay. The only surprising thing was that our room overlooked some sort of subdivision just across the property’s edge, so close that it was nearly possible to hear locals chatting while walking their dogs. With the patio door closed, however, the room was as silent as a tomb. The bed was unbelievably soft and plush—pair that with one of the in-room meditation channels and you can count on some quality sleep.

Food and drink: Miraval offers an all-inclusive package, which is likely—and luckily—miles away from any all-inclusive you’ve encountered. Principles of “mindful eating” guide the menus here, so there's always an abundance of options available to meet every dietary restriction. Dinner is an exercise in relaxed elegance, with farm-to-table offerings such as a local mixed greens salad with maple-brined pecans, grass-fed steak, and spaghetti squash puttanesca. “Mindful eating” does mean that portions tend to be on the smaller side—but no one bats an eye if you order two mains. Best of all (and this is relatively rare for wellness retreats) a full wine list is on offer, although alcohol is not included in the all-inclusive rate. During the day, as guests flurry between classes and treatments, all roads can lead to The Roost for coffees and snacks. Sure, there are healthy, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free treats available, but the house-made snickers bars—while indulgent—are definitely worth it.

The spa: At a whopping 29,000 square feet, the spa is the largest in not only the Berkshires but in the entire Miraval portfolio. Pretty much anything you could want or need is available here, so be sure to consult with the spa ahead of your stay in order to narrow down a dance card of treatments. Ayurvedic abhyanga oil therapy is a hit you’re unlikely to find elsewhere in the Berkshires. For massages, you can choose from Thai, Swedish, energizing, relaxing, you name it—but the Deep Mountain Massage with arnica and rosemary was truly one of the deepest, most soothing massages we’ve ever tried.

The area: Don’t come here expecting to really immerse yourself in local Berkshires culture. Between the guests-only spa and the all-inclusive rate, you’ll want to get the most bang for your buck by maximizing your time at Miraval. Of course, you’re only minutes away from art galleries, summer music concerts at Tanglewood, shopping in downtown Lenox, and more, but you might be better served heading to a smaller (and less expensive) hotel if those things are your priority.

The service: We have to be honest. Between the front desk, the spa staff, the restaurants, and the individual activity instructors from the beekeepers to the horse barn, there are a lot—and we mean a lot—of moving parts at a resort like Miraval Berkshires. On one occasion, our itinerary had the wrong pick-up location so we ended up missing out on an equine therapy session. On the bright side, however, it meant an extra hour spent lounging by the pool—because even with a mishap or two, being at at Miraval is better than being pretty much anywhere else.

Anything left to mention? It’s worth noting that the property is device-free, but we kept our cellphone on hand at all times and nobody seemed to mind. Avoid having any loud phone calls in the public spaces and you’ll probably be fine. Plus, who could resist Instagramming the gleaming white pool area?