If you’re interested in a group trip to Miraval, email me: erica@theelist.com

Miraval, a newish spa in Lenox, MA, had been on my radar for months. When Marcia Simon of Friendly Group Travel sent a special 3-day offer, I signed right up and gifted my daughter a spot for Christmas. We packed plenty of workout wear and not much else and headed to Lenox on a snowy day early in December. The spa sent us a tempting lineup of events and treatments and encouraged us to book our services in advance. First, though, you pick an intention. Mine? Dive into new adventures (Aerial Yoga? Absolutely!) and ditch my phone for the duration. 

This is no ordinary spa experience. Yes, there are heavenly treatments (the Almond Orange Body Polish left me with baby skin, a must), tranquil relaxation rooms with crackling fireplaces, every athletic endeavor you can think of, all manner of mind-body experiences, cooking classes, creative arts, and equine therapy. But Miraval goes further; incredibly accommodating staff, the fluffiest bed ever, marble-clad bathrooms, cozy nooks all over the place to curl up with a book or puzzle, endless snacks if you so desire (do not miss the brown butter chocolate chip cookies), a bar (!), and mouthwatering, locally sourced meals with options for every palate. Trust me, you will not feel deprived! 

My daughter and I carved out our own adventures: I gravitated toward yoga, creative arts, and mindfulness, while she packed her days with HIIT classes and brisk hikes. We both loved throwing pots in the ceramics studio, sipping wine while watercoloring, and splashing through Aqua Barre. Her top pick? Donkey Discovery, where gentle donkeys flocked to her side. As for me, Aerial Yoga was pure bliss, ending suspended in a cocoon of silks for shavasana —a floating, zen moment I’ll never forget.

There’s so much to choose from that it’s a good idea to plan your schedule before you arrive, and Miraval encourages you to do so. We did change up a bunch of things, and the concierge for planning was knowledgeable about all the activities and steered us in the right direction for our experiences. We skipped most outdoor activities (too cold!) and sadly missed the cooking and tasting classes (Champagne and Caviar? Next time!).  We squeezed in lots of activities during our 3-day jaunt and happily fell into the absurdly cushy bed every night. Bobbie slept in, while I got up for sun salutations every morning, an invigorating yet calming start to the day.

My intention was to deepen my yoga practice, unplug from my phone, and enjoy a few spa treatments; what I came away with was the realization that I craved more creativity in my life, sparked by pottery and watercolor sessions with Cassandra Kennedy, an inspiring teacher. Now, I’m  determined to add a class to my weekly routine at home.

The best part? My daughter and I left feeling more bonded than ever, and we loved the getaway so much that a return trip is already in the works. If you’re tempted to join, let me know—I’ll team up with Friendly Group Travel to plan a group adventure. Email me: erica@theelist.com.

***I’m borrowing some photos from the Miraval website because we took so few. I mainly used my phone to coordinate with my daughter for classes or meals, and it was such a lovely reprieve to untether.