I’ve long said that Miraval Arizona is one of my favorite places in the world. Tucked away in the Sonoran Desert, the resort is a rare and magical spot where wellness, indulgence, spirituality and luxury combine to create a transformative experience that I start craving when everything just seems too much. Like now.
My husband and I have been retreating to Miraval Arizona for years and, even though the brand has opened locations in Austin and the Berkshires, we continue to return to the OG in Tucson because it feels like home.
There are so many things we love about Miraval Arizona, besides the basic fact that they offer a wealth of incredible self-help workshops, fun fitness activities, great food and indulgent spa treatments. What probably stands out to me the most, though, is Miraval’s unpretentiousness. You can literally spend your whole stay in your robe if you want to (and we have!) and no one will blink an eye. There is no judgement and you never feel like you have to dress or act or perform in a certain way. You can try all kinds of new things without worrying that others will laugh at you. On the contrary, you’ll be supported and cheered on just for trying, whether or not you actually succeed. And, because you receive so much encouragement, trust me, ultimately you will.
Miraval Arizona celebrates 30 years of wellness
For the past few months, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Miraval Arizona has been undergoing a transformation of its own. Its award-winning Life in Balance Spa — an oasis I like to refer to as my not-so-secret hideaway — will re-open in November with an expanded relaxation area, enhanced locker and dressing rooms with cold plunges, new spa treatments and rituals, outdoor elements integrated for desert healing and expanded solar panels to meet the resort’s sustainability goals.
It’s hard to believe the spa could get any better but I will certainly go back to see for myself soon. You know, for research purposes.
My husband and I recently spent four blissful nights at Miraval Arizona and it was just what we needed. Here are some of the highlights:
The best spa treatments at Miraval Arizona
I could happily live on massages at Miraval Arizona and I find myself booking longer ones each time we visit. But, because the spa menu is so extensive and everything sounds irresistible, I always try a couple of new treatments.
This time, I opted for a Neuromuscular Massage that was so good after my (not so) Happy Hips fitness class, I decided to go for a second one. These were not necessarily the most relaxing massages I’ve ever had but they did what my body needed them to do and healed my aching joints. I highly recommend them.
Because I always feel that I should get a facial while I’m at Miraval, I booked the Quantum Energy Face Treatment. Although it was super relaxing and I specifically chose it because it was light on product, I think next time I will go back to one of their facials that feature lots of creamy lotions and gels massaged into my cheeks, chin and forehead.
On our last morning, I chose to do Body in Balance, an 80 minute treatment that did just what it promised so I could head back to the real world aligned and revitalized.
I love that a nightly resort credit is included in your Miraval fee because it forces you to consider a treatment even if you think spa is not your thing. I, of course, need no forcing but my husband needs that little nudge before he can treat himself to a little pampering. He loved his Naga treatment, his massages and, yes, his facial.
Activities at Miraval Arizona
Every time we visit Miraval, we seem to focus on something different. Sometimes it’s spa, sometimes it’s fitness, one time we did hardly anything at all and just enjoyed the stillness of the desert.
We’ve meditated, hiked, painted on horses and walked the labyrinth but, this time, we found ourselves signing up for lots of self-help type of classes. We learned so much and continue to use our newfound skills, marveling over the ways they’ve actually improved our lives.
We took “Unleash the Power of Your Soul: Commit to Vibrant Living” with Tejpal, one of our favorite Miraval instructors, and my husband was so moved by it, he ended up booking a private consultation with her. We also took “Manifestation: Consciously Create Your Life,” which was so validating to me, along with “Discover Your Dosha” and “Sleep Well: Rituals for Better Rest,” all of which taught us to think and act in new ways. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I even did a private session with astrologer Ashley Celeste Leal, which was fascinating and surprisingly empowering.
My favorite class, though — the one I had been wanting to take for years but it was never offered during the times we were visiting — was “The Beauty of Imperfection,” where we learned about Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing the cracks in broken pottery by highlighting them with gold to make them even more beautiful than they were when they were whole. We chose, broke and fixed our own pieces and it was an emotional experience that I will always treasure. My perfectly imperfect bowl now sits in a place of honor in my house.
Fitness classes at Miraval Arizona
One of the many unique things about Miraval is that it literally offers a fitness class for everyone even if, like me, you’re not really a fan of working out. Cardio drumming is a blast, Zumba is always fun and I get something important out of the various yoga classes even though I’m terrible at them.
I do like that there are tennis and pickleball courts available for lessons and free play but we were so busy expanding our minds (and possibly our waistlines) this time that we never even stepped foot on them.
Food at Miraval Arizona
If you think meals at a wellness resort mean small portions of bland, pre-selected food, you’ve obviously never been to Miraval before. This inclusive resort offers delicious meals and snacks — and lots of them.
You have plenty of choices for all three meals so you can eat as healthy or indulgently as you’d like. Made-to-order coffee drinks and smoothies are always available and complimentary, as are soft drinks, fruit and freshly made pastries. Wine, beer and cocktails can be ordered for an additional charge.
The restaurant staff at Miraval Arizona is exceptional and we so appreciated their thoughtfulness and care at every meal.
We were lucky enough to visit during a week when a Garden Dinner was being held so we immediately booked it. Keep an eye out for this special event when you can eat dinner outdoors by the garden where some of the ingredients you’ll be enjoying are grown. The Chef cooks a multi-course meal for the group and shares stories while you eat. It’s a truly magical night and I’m so glad we were able to experience it.
Accommodations at Miraval Arizona
I think, over the years, we have stayed in pretty much every type of room and villa at Miraval. Each one has its own distinct personality and charm, and we loved our Catalina Suite, where we could watch the deer from our bed or from the chairs on our private outdoor lounge.
As comfortable as the rooms are, though, we don’t spend much time in them because there’s so much else we want to do and absorb at Miraval. In fact, I’m setting an intention right now to return soon and experience everything that’s new there. I know that whatever transformation the resort has undergone will somehow result in one of my own.