This post comes to us from Jess before she was even part of TMS. It’s about another Miraval property than the one featured in our podcast for today, so we thought you’d like a repeat performance of her review!

 

Magic at Miraval Austin

Set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the Miraval Austin wellness resort is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I had the opportunity to spend two nights there recently, and I left feeling relaxed, recharged, and with a greater appreciation for everything around me. 

Miraval Austin is one of three locations (along with Tucson, Arizona, and the Berkshires). Miraval resorts are adults-only (18+) and promote digital mindfulness. There are areas designated for device use, but otherwise, you are encouraged to read or simply be fully present and engaged in the moment. 

 

How I Booked It

I’ve been kicking myself ever since I didn’t take advantage of the last Miraval BOGO promotion that Hyatt ran previously. So when they announced the promotion again in October 2021, I knew I had to use some Hyatt points and jump on it. The Miraval BOGO deal is one of the best points redemptions, period. Standard rooms at Miraval typically run 45,000 points/night for single occupancy, and 65,000 points/night for double occupancy. With the BOGO promotion, I got one night free. I also got all of the other Miraval perks:

• $175 daily resort credit (only for the “paid” night with the BOGO deal)
• All food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Daily complimentary wellbeing activities
• Parking (or airport shuttle if you fly).

I also received 2,022 points back thanks to a Hyatt Bonus Journeys promo, so in the end, I spent two nights at Miraval Austin for 42,798 points rather than the cash rate of over $3,000. 

 

The Room

At the time of booking, the only standard room that was available on points was a double queen. My husband has Globalist status with Hyatt, so he made the booking for me, and we hoped that I’d be upgraded upon arrival. Sure enough, when I arrived, I was informed that they had upgraded me to a third-floor king room with premium views of the Texas Hill Country. 

 

 

I walked in and immediately felt relaxed. The bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on. The room featured a balcony with stunning sunset views, a small sitting area, a spacious bathroom with two sinks, a tub, and two showers (one indoor and one outdoor). 

 

 

There was plenty of space for just me. It was quiet and peaceful, exactly what I needed for a relaxing weekend away.

 

The Activities

Once you’ve booked your Miraval stay, you can either schedule your activities and spa treatments online, or by phone or email with the help of an “Experience Planner.” I went with the Experience Planner because this was my first Miraval stay, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. She was terrific and really helped walk me through the process. She recommended two to three activities per day; otherwise, she said, I might feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. 

The first thing she asked me to do was to set an intention for my stay. I intended to relax and recharge, so I selected activities that aligned with that goal. Many of the activities were included with my stay, though not all were. I did a combo of free activities like slow-flow yoga, a restore and recharge wellness session, and some paid activities.

One of the paid activities I participated in was a floating meditation session. It involved “floating” in an aerial yoga silk hammock while the instructor guided us through a meditation session, accompanied by the sound of crystal singing bowls. I was a little nervous about this experience because the description said that it may cause motion sickness, but I had no issues. The instructor asked if we’d like to remain still or if we’d like her to rock us. I asked to be gently rocked, and it was very similar to being in a regular hammock. 

 

 

The second paid activity I did was called “Sound of Splendor.” It took place on a rainy morning in a gorgeous building. There were only two others in the class, so it felt very intimate. The instructor made cozy pallets on the floor for each of us to lie down on, then proceeded to play Tibetan singing bowls and a gong. 

 

 

There are numerous activities at Miraval, ranging from nature walks to beekeeping, equine activities, and even axe-throwing. They really do have something for everyone! 

 

The Food

The food is the one aspect of Miraval Austin that could use some improvement. It was not bad by any means, but if I were paying thousands of dollars for my stay, I would have been disappointed. (Luckily, that wasn’t the case.)

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with a few à la carte options. Lunch is also served buffet-style, and dinner is à la carte. There is also a café that serves smoothies, snacks, and coffee/tea during the day, and wine, beer, and cocktails at night. All food, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages were included in my stay. 

Breakfast options included items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, vegan banana chocolate chip pancakes, sweet potato hash, fresh fruit, yogurt, and pastries. Omelets could be customized and ordered à la carte.

Lunch options included a build-your-own salad bar, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, rice, beans, vegan chili, soups, and cookies.

 

 

Dinner options were more varied. Since food is included, you can order as much as you’d like. In fact, on my last night there, I ordered all three desserts because I just couldn’t decide. (The off-menu carrot cake was my favorite.) Appetizers included charcuterie boards and spinach dip, while entrees ranged from Beyond Burgers to chicken marsala, the fresh catch of the day, and even steak.

 

 

Snacks from the café included sandwiches and snack packs featuring items such as cheese, hard-boiled eggs, apples, celery, and peanut butter. 

Overall, the food was fine, but I would expect a bit better quality from such a high-end resort. I will also add that the service at the restaurant was amazing each and every time. Staff is attentive and no ask is too big or too small. 

 

The Spa

The Life in Balance Spa was the highlight of my trip. I spent most of my time (and money) there. Although the services are quite pricey, all gratuities are included in the price. Miraval actually discourages tipping of any kind to ensure a relaxing stay, and it really was nice not to have to worry about that aspect of my stay.

 

 

The robes were some of the most comfortable I’ve worn, and they have a “quiet room” where you wait for your service. It is gorgeous, featuring a large window with views of the Hill Country, as well as oversized chairs and sofas for relaxing.

During my time at Miraval Austin, I received a deep-tissue massage, a facial, a foot massage, and one of Miraval’s signature services, Pradhana Veda. All were wonderful, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of them. 

The spa features its own outdoor pool and Jacuzzi with stunning views, as well as a steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi in each locker room. Basically, you could spend an entire day at the spa alone—and it rained one of the days I was there, so I did just that!

 

Final Thoughts

Although my stay was short, I truly had a magical time at Miraval Austin. It was the perfect destination for relaxing and recharging. The cash price is quite steep, but it’s an amazing deal on points. I’m definitely planning to make my way back there once the next BOGO deal comes out! 

 

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