It’s a luxury hotel with a twist of health retreat, a sprinkle of a sanctuary and a big splash of wellbeing. Welcome to Miraval Austin nestled in the hillside overlooking Lake Travis.
I mean, how awesome does it feel to know a fancy-schmancy resort that attracts vacationers from around the globe is right here in your backyard. If you live in the Lake Travis area, that’s just a totes normal day. You don’t have to go anywhere for a Texas Hill Country experience. Just open your door and whoomp – there it is.
For those of you that have lived in the Lake Travis area for a while, the beautiful new Miraval was formerly Travaasa. Now it’s an exclusive Hyatt property on 220 acres, and it is the epitome of a spa retreat. The views are truly spectacular, but you already know that. What differentiates this resort from other luxury hotels is it’s all about wellness, and Miraval weaves that concept through every detail.
From the inspired architectural details to the cozy interiors to the recipe for Roasted Pineapple-Hibiscus Cocktail on their blog, Miraval takes mindfulness to the next level. If you want to soak in all of the amenities and the activities, you’d need to stay for about a month. And that’ll cost you a few bucks. Like maybe $20k. But I digress.
Miraval accommodations feature luxurious rooms and suites. It’s the “experiences” that are truly unique. You can focus on yourself with wellness counseling, meditation or creative expression. If you’re more of the outdoorsy type, you can do activities like a challenge course, hiking or water sports on the lake. Plus, they offer equine therapy like mindful horseback riding, foundations of horsemanship and my personal favorite, horse painting. No, not painting a portrait of a horse, but painting on the horse – the horse is your canvas.
Or, are you more like, “Bees, please!” Well, you’re in luck. At Miraval, you can do workshops with our pollinating pals, because they have an on-site apiary. You can dive inside the mind of a hive or be a beekeeper for a day. In other words, if sustainable living gets you buzzing, it’s within reach.
Of course, Miraval offers everything you’d expect when it comes to yoga, massage, and overall exotic pampering. From Ayurveda (holistic treatments) to Eastern energy techniques like Vasudhara and Craniosacral Therapy – oh, don’t forget the healing power of crystals. Yep, you can get your chakras cleaned too. Buh-bye emotional funk, hello healing.
Some of the experiences at Miraval are seasonal, so they’re offered during certain months only or for a limited time. For example, in March and April, you’ll find Chicken Keeping listed on the daily activity calendar. Ah yes, nothing says luxurious wellness resort like understanding the lifecycle needs of our favorite domesticated fowl.
All wordplay aside, Miraval Austin is an exquisite relaxation destination where you will no doubt find beauty and meaning. It’s a pristine escape from the ordinary that gives you a new and different way to interact with the Hill Country you call home. You can choose from individual and group experiences, so it’s perfect for a romantic rendezvous or family bonding or corporate collaboration. The grounds are lovely, so it’s a popular wedding destination as well.
Although the rates are pricey, packages do include things like gourmet meals, nightly resort credits, complimentary activities, fresh smoothies, and healthy snacks and more. Other Miraval package perks include things like stay three nights and get the fourth night free or stay four nights and get the fifth night free. Also, Texas residents may qualify for a special discount.
If you could do something outside of your comfort zone, which wellness experience would you try? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook page.
