Make the most of the wintery weather with a pampering, fun getaway at Miraval Berkshires. Writer Meryl Pearlstein did and tells Real Food Travelers what it’s really like. 

Plan your trip to Miraval Berkshires by saving this article to Pinterest. Photos by Meryl Pearlstein. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

A Winter Spa Escape in the Berkshires at Miraval

Winter is the perfect time for a wellness refresh, a season when gray skies and cold weather beg for something to kick you into gear. A spa holiday with a focus on personal discovery is just what I needed for a jumpstart.

Miraval Berkshires

Located in the western corner of Massachusetts, in Lenox, Miraval Berkshires embraces an intention of personal transformation through learning and self-reflection. Opened during the height of Covid in May 2020, the destination wellness spa resort has reached its full stride, appealing to singles, couples and multi-generational groups eyeing an immersive dose of healthfulness.

I had been to Miraval Arizona twice and was well aware of the benefits of a Miraval holiday. This time, I was eager to experience Miravel in New England, where the setting balances outdoor attractions with a strong indoor focus. In its beautiful Berkshires mountain setting, Miraval offers a full program of fitness classes, creative workshops, spa treatments, and wellness sessions. Like its predecessors, Miraval Arizona and Miraval Austin, Miraval Berkshires encourages “life in balance,” teaching guests to consciously explore the connection between body, mind, and spirit as a way of life.

Prior to my stay, I spoke with a Miraval Experience Planner to help navigate the many activity options, classes, workshops, and lectures available. Creativity and awareness are emphasized in daily programming. On a weekly rotation, offerings included capturing your aura with photography, an astrology reading, and hand-building clay pottery workshops, several of which I selected to push my boundaries. In addition to group classes, I also arranged private consultations and self-improvement sessions for a one-on-one learning approach. This proved especially valuable for culinary guidance, and I enjoyed learning about the benefits of East Coast oysters and bubbles, balanced by a class focused on healthy gut health.

Outdoor activities take on a different cast in winter in the Berkshires, particularly in how guests experience the landscape. Hikes form the lion’s share of offerings. For those who are more adventurous and not resistant to chilly temperatures, Miraval’s Warrior ropes course adds the challenge of climbing in cold weather.

An exterior view of Miraval Berkshires in winter as steam rises from the outdoor pool.

Planning My Visit

To further encourage a state of mindfulness without distractions, almost everything is included in the price of your Miraval stay, from accommodations and meals to gratuities and activities. For extras like spa treatments and special classes, nightly resort credits are part of your program to encourage experimenting and reaching beyond your comfort zone. Taking my Experience Planner’s advice, I booked a mix.

At the Life in Balance Spa, I selected the Ginger Healer, a deeply relaxing and refreshing Ayurvedic combination of facial marma point therapy, ginger-oil-infused deep tissue massage, and a ginger sea salt scrub and shower. I also returned to a favorite treatment from Miraval Arizona, Naga. Exclusive to Miraval, the Naga massage technique blends Thai massage, yoga-like strokes and dynamic stretching using suspended silks. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Gumby, this is the treatment to try.

I was especially pleased to arrange one of Miraval’s signature equine sessions, programming developed 30 years ago at Miraval Arizona. Options ranged from meditation with the horses and walking alongside them to a fuller Equine Experience focused on intuitive communication, care and connection without spoken language.

The author participating in the Equine Experience.

Hungry for more? Read Meryl’s article about exploring Long Island wine country.

The Miraval Berkshires Campus

Miraval Berkshires is centered around the historic Wyndhurst Manor, a Gilded Age architectural gem built in 1894. Formerly home to Cranwell Resort, the mansion now expands Miraval’s offerings with an exclusive evening of dining at the gourmet 1894 Restaurant, Prohibition-inspired cocktail making in the Manor Bar and dance lessons in the grand ballroom.

Cocktail making classes are held at Miraval’s Wyndhurst Manor.

Miraval’s main complex includes the Harvest Moon Restaurant, where all meals are served; guest accommodations grouped into cottages; the fitness center; classrooms and exercise rooms; the Life in Balance Spa; and a variety of lounging spaces. All are connected by a network of indoor hallways, which is especially helpful when outdoor conditions are cold or icy.

For guests interested in sampling the Berkshires’ winter landscape, outdoor options include daily hikes around nearby ponds and wooded trails. Miraval’s barn, where animal encounters take place, is a short shuttle ride away. Animal tracking walks and independent or guided exploration of the property offer ways to enjoy the outdoors without committing to extended time in the cold.

Hungry for more? Learn about more destination spa resorts.

Classes, Classes and More Classes

I easily filled my days indoors with a schedule of fitness classes, relaxation sessions, and workshops. Pilates and yoga are part of my daily routine at home, and I was eager to explore Miraval’s varied interpretations of both disciplines. I signed up for a Pilates Apparatus circuit and Aerial Yoga, one of my favorite and most challenging activities, along with Chair Yoga for a fresh perspective.

The author doing some Aerial Yoga at Miraval.

Aerobic exercise can be a bit difficult for me to maintain during the winter months, but Miraval’s Cardio Drumming class offered a welcome combination of dance, rhythm, and focus, using drumsticks and a physio ball. The Abs & Glutes class delivered exactly what its name promised, while Fit Feet, Roll With It, Happy Hips, and Shoulders Set Free worked their magic on areas that tend to hold stress.

The indoor pool also hosts a range of offerings, from Aqua Barre and Aqua Cardio to a candlelight Aquatic Sound Bath, where water and sound combine to encourage deep relaxation. I was glad I remembered to pack a bathing suit.

A variety of activities are offered in the indoor pool.

Healthy Dining and a Little Cheating at Miraval Berkshires

I never missed one of Miraval’s delicious and nutritious meals. Breakfast and lunch were offered as a combination of buffet selections and plated dishes, while dinner featured more substantial choices. Happily for me, wine and creative cocktails were available for purchase. Dietary needs were well accommodated, with gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options at every meal, along with an extensive selection of non-alcoholic beverages. Health-forward dishes such as salads and grains were balanced by indulgent desserts like pumpkin cheesecake and apple cobbler, incorporating local and seasonal produce.

The Roost snack bar offered takeaway sandwiches and salads throughout the day. Smoothies, homemade kombucha, coffees and a richly comforting golden milk were always available as well.

In addition to dining at the 1894 Restaurant, guests can reserve the Just Cook for Me experience with Chef Eric Trager for an additional fee. This bespoke dinner takes place in the Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen, where the chef prepares and serves a personalized menu with an appropriate wine pairing. I scheduled it on my birthday for an extra treat.

A friendly server holds the birthday cake for the author at the 1894 Restaurant at Miraval.

Why Go in Winter?

While some outdoor activities shift with the season, winter at Miraval Berkshires offers a particularly appealing opportunity to slow down and take in both the resort and the surrounding region at a gentler pace. Spa appointments are easier to secure, classes tend to be less crowded, and preferred dinner reservations are more readily available. There is also a distinctive calm to the winter months, when quiet trails, bare trees and the simple sight of a bird against the snow enhance the overall sense of restoration.

-Story and photos by Meryl Pearlstein