When you get to Miraval, you receive an arrival package that includes a letter inviting you to send yourself a note describing your "Aha!" experience at the outrageously expensive spa. I'll post my note here instead. When I booked the stay, I was offered an opportunity to upgrade (for several hundred dollars more) to a room with a mountain or desert view. What did I get? You can see in the photo below. I marched back to the front desk, where I was informed that the offer was actually for a room with a "mountain, desert or water-feature view," which in this case meant a tacky artificial fountain and another building. Aha!, I thought, this place is a ripoff. I asked for a room that delivered on what I was told I would be paying for. The next day, I was relocated to a slightly nicer room -- with a view of an enclosed patio (see photo below). I marched back to the front desk to complain, where I was told that was all that was available. I was asked if I wanted someone from management to "reach out" to me. I said yes, but no one ever did. Aha!, I said, they don't care about their customers. As for the spa itself, the food is bland but healthy, the spa services range from adequate to incompetent, and the classes are run by instructors who probably can't get work someplace good. So, don't go to Miraval expecting a relaxing experience, because at these prices, it's just going to enrage you. Aha!

Just returned from a 5 night stay at Miraval. First stay under new management and many things are better and some are not. I reserved a premium room with mountain view and tub. When I arrived told the all the rooms I requested (and reserved with down payment) were occupied. I took a basic room with a tub and it was dark, so dark it was not possible to read at night without using the light on the Kindle, and had not been updated in decor for years. However, it was quiet and the heat worked well. The intake person assured me that when the premium rooms were vacated she would move me (last I heard about it).
The spa services are expensive, really expensive. But 75% of them were really high quality and some are available few other places: Aqua Zen and Naga are rarely found and the Thai massage (Rebecca) was out of this world. The spa environment is lovely. The temperature control in the spa area needs attention. It was either 90+ or there was arctic air blowing. Manicure services were not as pleasant as those found at Lovely Nails staffed with non English speaking Vietnamese immigrants.
The food is good the first and maybe second times it is presented. I say good not great because it is really bland. There were many opportunities to use spices not heat or acid not salt to boost the flavor. It was really unimaginative and dull. That said, the fish was almost always well cooked. Sauces were re-purposed from day to day: example tomato soup today arrives cooked down as Romanesco sauce on swordfish (what were they thinking) tomorrow. Shrimp at lunch and dinner today show up in grits with corn and shrimp (don't even think about it) tomorrow. Leftover steak appears thickly sliced with no seasoning or spices as "carne asada". Absurd calorie counts (301 calories) are presented on the menus.
There were few offerings which were free and did not afford an opportunity to promote other products or paid sessions.
Yoga and stretch classes had about 75% of the necessary space and props.
Cell phone free policy was an unexpected balm to the soul. It is not until you are deprived of the interference for several days that you can appreciate what an intrusion these devices are.
Non tipping policy is great. However, appreciate that there is a hefty service fee tacked on to the bill. Room service menu has no mention of the $25.00 service charge (quite a departure from other premium hotels which clearly state the service charge or mandatory tip). Wine by the glass and drinks are offered at $15+ per for ingredients which are unconscionably marked up.
Would I return? Maybe. But not without a critical examination of the fees, resort credits and schedules (which are not available when you make your reservations for spa services).

I just returned from a 5-day stay at Miraval as I had the opportunity to be there for the Hay House event with Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson. From the moment I arrived until my last minute at Miraval I found myself surrounded by peace, love and happiness. I absolutely loved everything about the resort. The rooms and the gardens are magnificent. The bed is wonderful. I wanted to take mine home! The food is very healthy and delicious and the activities and the spa experiences were just amazing. Most of all what makes Miraval so special is the people working there. The staff is very friendly, ready to help, accommodating and gracious and I would like to thank all of them for making me feel really at home. I will return next year and I have already decided that I will make Miraval a yearly ritual to pamper myself with good self-care.

My wife and I spent a wonderful couple of days at a Miraval, a great Spa near Tucson AZ. Initially I was a bit skeptical when Andrea mentioned we were booked there - after all, Spa Resorts are normally for the Girls! However within 4 hours of our arrival I was hooked! Excellent food (heathy-but full of flavor) , a smoothie/coffee bar, a great male sauna/swim/steam/jacuzzi area and lots of male-friendly activities (mountain biking/hiking/golf/Horse riding and outdoor adventure challenges to get the heart-rate pumping!)

The Staff were friendly and laid-back- helping to get into the "chilled-out" Zone

One interesting aspect were the more ZEN-focussed activities- e.g drumming/healthy eating - I (surprisingly) really enjoyed these sessions- great expert speakers and a nice "group" feel with the other guests

I almost forgot - My wife Loved the whole experience too!

We'll be back!