Miraval Berkshires: A Wicked Good Wellness Weekend

I was in a Blossom Hill Cottage King Room. The room was really spacious and had loads of storage space with built in wardrobes and a small sitting area with a table, which I used as my desk to do some work. The decor was modern and simple. My room was on the ground floor with a small patio / outdoor space. The bed was like sleeping on a cloud—so comfy. There are also rooms in the Wyndhurst Mansion.

Activities

I took part in so many activities over the weekend! It is important to note that some of the activities do incur a charge, although there are complimentary offerings including yoga classes, hikes, meditations, and fitness classes. Our first morning, we were booked on the farm breakfast, where we hung out with the hens, cooked farm fresh eggs over a fire, and enjoyed our meal in the greenhouse. It was a fun way to kick off the day! I also really enjoyed the TRE (tension release exercises), the sensory silk cocoon floating meditation, and the vibrational sound chamber. We also did an oyster shucking class that included a very generous amount of sparkling wine and champagne.

The next morning, we enjoyed the equine experience, where we spent some time with horses that live on their farm. This did not involve riding, and it was more an opportunity to spend time with the horses. Later that day, I took a painting class and went for a long walk around the grounds, sat in the zen garden and did some writing, and spent some time relaxing in the spa.

Restaurants

Our first night, we dined at the 1894 Restaurant at the Wyndhurst Mansion. Dinner there was wonderful and we all really enjoyed our meals. The menu is seasonal and, where possible, the chef incorporates produce grown on the property and from nearby farms. They are very accommodating with regards to allergies and dietary "aversions" (our server's word, which I thought was fun!) and they specially prepared menu items for one of the people in our group to make them gluten-free.

The dining room has a beautiful view out towards the golf course and we got to see a very pretty sunset from our table. The restaurant is only open Friday through Sunday and it is quite small, so making reservations is essential! Also, there was a wedding that bought out the mansion on the Saturday night, so the restaurant was closed—I would be conscious of this during wedding season and check with the hotel in advance in case you really want to be able to dine at 1894.

Another night, we booked the Just Cook For Me experience, which is sort of a chef's table, and each course had a drink pairing (kombucha made on site, or wine) and it was a fun experience with delicious food. Again, the chef was using local ingredients. There is a grab and go for sandwiches and salads at The Roost, which is also where you can get coffees, juices, and smoothies all day. There is also a full bar there if you want something a little stronger!

The Harvest Moon Restaurant is where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. I had breakfast there one morning and it is partially a buffet, but there are à la carte items you can order off a small menu. Lunch is also a combination of buffet and à la carte menu. We had dinner at Harvest Moon one of the nights and it was delicious, and there was a nice balance of healthy options, with some more indulgent things like duck cassoulet.

Spa

There is a large spa and the thermal suites are split for women and men. There is also an indoor/outdoor pool that you access through the spa that is accessible to everyone. The women's side has a really nice relaxation area with lots of natural light and a fireplace in the middle. It definitely was a place people tucked into to relax and read a book. There is also a communal relaxation area for both men and women, and this is also where you wait to be called in for any spa appointments you have booked. I liked this room as it was a bit dark, with lots of places to lounge, and a water feature in the middle that provided a nice background sound. I had an Ayurvedic massage and it was wonderful. I especially liked that my robe had been warmed up for me for afterwards!

I found the team across the resort to be very friendly and engaging. It definitely felt like people loved working there, which always gives a place more warmth and personality.

There is a policy of not using devices like mobiles and laptops in the public areas, and I was conscious of this and did my best to keep my mobile use to areas deemed to be "device friendly" or back in my room. They do police this a bit, and you might get told off if you are scrolling on your phone in the public areas or restaurants.

There is a lovely shop on site that sells everything from swimsuits and active wear to tarot / oracle cards, jewelry, and art. So, leave a little room in your case if you want to do some shopping!

Hit the spa first thing in the morning when it opens at 8:30 am to get a quieter experience. The afternoon tends to be busier.

Get in touch to book so you get those all-important Fora Perks added—and I can answer any questions you might have, as I experienced so much of what the property has to offer.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Massachusetts page.