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In 2017, Hyatt acquired Miraval, as part of Hyatt’s hope of expanding in the luxury wellness sector. In this post I wanted to take a closer look at the Miraval portfolio, and how to book Miraval properties, whether paying with cash or points. When it comes to World of Hyatt, Miraval works a bit differently than some other brands, so hopefully I can simplify that a bit.
In this post:
The basics of Miraval resorts
Miraval currently operates three inclusive destination wellness resorts in the United States, in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Texas. The adults-only resorts have an emphasis on wellness programs, spa treatments, and nourishing cuisine.
What’s cool is that the three resorts all have different vibes, based on where they’re located. Even though the concept is the same at all the properties, I know many people have enjoyed visiting all three, as they each have a unique charm.
Miraval Arizona
Miraval Arizona opened in 1995, and was the brand’s first property. The 118-room resort is located near Tucson, on 400 acres of Arizona’s Santa Catalina Mountains. This is ideal if you want more of a mountain and desert escape, as this part of Arizona has gorgeous topography.
Miraval Arizona has two restaurants, three pools, 29 spa treatment rooms, 100+ weekly fitness, yoga, and meditation classes, and more.
Read my review of Miraval Arizona here.
Miraval Austin
Miraval Austin opened in 2018, and was the brand’s second property. The 121-room resort is located near Austin (as you would have guessed based on the name), on a 220-acre natural sanctuary. The landscape at this resort is a bit different than in Arizona, as it’s much more lush, and located near a creek.
Miraval Austin has two pools, 60+ spa services, 50+ daily wellness activities, 20+ fitness, yoga, and meditation classes, and more.
Miraval Berkshires
Miraval Berkshires opened in 2020, and is the brand’s newest property. The 104-room resort is located in Lenox, Massachusetts, on 380 acres of New England landscape. This has a totally different vibe than the other resorts, and has much more seasonal variation. Miraval Bershires has also undergone an expansion, with the addition of Wyndhurst Manor.
Miraval Berkshires has three pools, 28 spa treatment rooms, 20+ fitness, yoga, and meditation classes, and more.
What’s included with Miraval stays?
While Miraval stays won’t be cheap, the nice thing is just how many things are included with your stay. All Miraval packages include the following:
- Accommodations
- Unlimited participation in complimentary daily yoga, fitness, meditation, and wellness lectures, outback nature walks, photography classes, and outdoor adventure activities
- All meals, snacks, smoothies, and non-alcoholic beverages
- Complimentary shared shuttle transfers to the airport, or valet parking for those driving in
- Full access to Miraval’s extensive resort amenities, including The Body Mindfulness Center and Life in Balance Spa
Most Miraval rates also include a $175 nightly per person resort credit that can be used toward spa services and private sessions, though that’s not included with some rates. Miraval also has a non-tipping policy, as that’s covered with the resort charge.
What’s not included with your Miraval stay? Alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, and private sessions, but again, the $175 nightly resort credit can be applied toward paid experiences.
How to book Miraval resorts
Miraval offers a unique wellness experience, while still giving you the benefit of the resorts participating in World of Hyatt. This means that you can earn and redeem points for your stays at Miraval properties, and take advantage of elite perks.
Book Miraval resorts with World of Hyatt points
Miraval properties can be booked with World of Hyatt points, though Miraval doesn’t follow Hyatt’s traditional award chart. Rather you can find the World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval properties below.
Just to break that down a bit further:
- A standard room at a Miraval property ordinarily costs 40,000-50,000 points per night for single occupancy
- Double occupancy will cost you an extra 17,500-22,000 points per night
- On average, you can expect to pay 65,000 World of Hyatt points per night in a standard room for double occupancy; I value World of Hyatt points at 1.7 cents each, so to me that’s the equivalent of paying $1,105
- There are no taxes or fees when redeeming World of Hyatt points at Miraval properties, and you don’t have to pay the typical 23% resort charge, so those savings can be significant
- World of Hyatt award redemptions at Miraval resorts include all the typical benefits, including a $175 resort credit per person per night
- Nowadays it’s possible to book all Miraval resorts online with cash or points (previously you had to book by phone to use points)
There are no blackout dates for Miraval properties, so as long as a standard room is available for sale, you can redeem points for it. Note that historically we’ve sometimes seen World of Hyatt offer a BOGO award sale for Miraval properties, though we haven’t yet seen such a promotion this year, unfortunately.
Even if you’re not a Hyatt loyalist, earning World of Hyatt points can be pretty easy. In addition to being able to earn World of Hyatt points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (review) and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (review), you can also transfer over points from Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Book Miraval resorts with Hyatt Privé
If you’re going to book a cash stay at Miraval properties, generally speaking you’re going to be best off booking through the Hyatt Privé program. Hyatt Privé rates cost the same as standard flexible rates (not member rates, advance purchase rates, AAA rates, etc.), and include additional perks.
Those perks include an additional $100 property credit per room per stay, a room upgrade confirmed within 24 hours of booking (room-to-room or suite-to-suite, based on availability at the time of booking), a welcome gift and letter, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability, etc.
Miraval properties also belong to Virtuoso, but generally you’ll find better value with Hyatt Privé. A travel advisor can always help you compare the options.
World of Hyatt perks at Miraval properties
For the purposes of the World of Hyatt loyalty program, Miraval properties fully participate:
- World of Hyatt members earn 5x World of Hyatt points per dollar spent at Miraval properties, plus any elite bonuses; of course this spending counts toward lifetime Globalist
- World of Hyatt’s typical elite perks, including for Discoverist members, Explorist members, and Globalist members, apply
- Suite upgrade awards can be applied at Miraval properties, to confirm a suite
- While all members get the 23% resort fee waived on award stays, Globalist members also get the 23% award stay waived on cash stay
Bottom line
Miraval resorts are a unique part of Hyatt’s luxury portfolio. Given that these are wellness resorts with lots of inclusions, they work a little differently than other Hyatt properties when it comes to redeeming points.
I’ve been wanting to check out one of these properties, but it hasn’t happened yet. Unfortunately it might be a while at this point, given that these are adults-only properties, and we now have a kid.
Have any OMAAT readers stayed at a Miraval? If so, what was your experience like?
I've been to Miraval Tuscon 3 or 4 times and loved it. Hopefully we get another BOGO promotion. I'm so happy these resorts are part of Hyatt. I can't wait to use points for another stay.
I've visited 2 out of 3 (Berkshires and Austin) and I agree...they are completely different "vibes." I absolutely recommend both of them! Interestingly enough, I visited soon after 'Queer Eye' aired their Miraval (Austin) episode. I used my resort credit on the "horse - barriers to communication" experience (based on what I saw from their episode) and the teacher/horse had me in tears --> the most cathartic experience ever! Totally recommend. Call up the family...
I've visited 2 out of 3 (Berkshires and Austin) and I agree...they are completely different "vibes." I absolutely recommend both of them! Interestingly enough, I visited soon after 'Queer Eye' aired their Miraval (Austin) episode. I used my resort credit on the "horse - barriers to communication" experience (based on what I saw from their episode) and the teacher/horse had me in tears --> the most cathartic experience ever! Totally recommend. Call up the family and tell them you're getting away for a few days (sans baby). All parents will understand this feeling. :-)
No comment on how much paid rates are and if this is a good use of points?
Like most hotel stays, it depends. A night for a single occupancy can range from $499. to $999. or more. The prices fluctuate depending on time of year and location. Weekends tend to be more expensive than weekdays, in both points or cash. A Tuesday night stay might be 40,000 points whereas a Saturday night stay might be 50,000 points (that is for one person). The Tuscon location tends to be the most expensive, and...
Like most hotel stays, it depends. A night for a single occupancy can range from $499. to $999. or more. The prices fluctuate depending on time of year and location. Weekends tend to be more expensive than weekdays, in both points or cash. A Tuesday night stay might be 40,000 points whereas a Saturday night stay might be 50,000 points (that is for one person). The Tuscon location tends to be the most expensive, and the Berkshire location the least expensive. The Berkshire location also tends to have more specials; last March I paid for 2 nights and got the 3rd night free. You will need to do the math to see if it is a good deal to use points versus cash on the dates you want. I have stayed at all 3 and like them all, but like the Tuscon location the best.
Tucson miraval is pretty full right now from what I hear. They are still selling day passes so they must not be too busy.
Ben, You can now book all Miraval's on Hyatt's website for points or cash. Any update on a BOGO promo for 2022?
@ Chad -- Great catch, happy to see that finally changed. I updated the post to reflect that. Sadly haven't heard anything about a BOGO promotion for 2022, though it is the time of year where we usually see that. Maybe travel demand is so high nowadays that it's not happening?