Review: Miraval Austin Resort & Spa

Start us off with an overview.
You drive past urban sprawl, cut onto a country road, and enter the resort grounds, then wind up a hill flanked by solar-powered street lamps before reaching an impressive circular drive walled in Texas limestone. Miraval is immediately understated and elegant; its arrival center, an airy space overlooking one of the property's two pools. Inside there's a glassed-in fireplace, modular furniture, and a massive iron swing.

Is there a story behind this place?
Hyatt recently purchased this property, which has been occupied by one wellness resort or another since 2005. This is the first Miraval portfolio-wide. Hyatt has transformed the resort with six new buildings, including additional guest houses; all 117 rooms have also been overhauled, and there is a new pool as well as tons of new activities and programs.

And how are the rooms? What can we expect?
The serene, restful rooms all have private balconies with Hill Country views. Some overlook Lake Travis, a manmade lake that's popular with boaters. The bedding, furniture, and curtains are gray and cream; the hand-painted art is abstract. Other thoughtful details include slate tilework, full-size amenities, meditation cushions, singing Tibetan bowls, plush robes and slippers, and mini beds with cell phone "sleeping bags" so you can truly take a device-free vacation.

How about the food?
Food is all inclusive, and the focus is healthy—or, in Miraval parlance, "healthful"—eating. Breakfast and lunch are self-serve (with a handful of made-to-order items) and include kale salads and gluten-free pancakes. Dinner offers everything from steak with vegetable purees to scallops with a passionfruit sauce. There's also a full list of wine, beer, and cocktails—not always the case at health spas—though booze is extra.

How did the staff treat you?
We stayed here during the soft opening, so the property was still working out the kinks. But generally the service was top notch. Everyone from the front-desk employees to the housekeepers to the yoga instructors were helpful and attentive.

Who tends to stay here?
The wellness one percent. This is where high-powered professionals come to detox, restructure, and take a break. You'll see men and women ambling around in robes and yoga gear. Note that cell phones technically aren't permitted except in dedicated zones, although we saw more than one person breaking the rules.

How does the hotel fit in with the surrounding area?
Miraval is located on a 220-acre property outside Austin, and it overlooks a lake and two nature reserves, which means most of those great views are protected. This isn't exactly a jumping-off point to explore Austin—you get here and stay here—but if you wanted to take a day out of your urban adventures, this would be the place to do it.

Anything else we should know?
The amenities are over the top: 30 treatment rooms and more than 75 treatments offered at the spa, two pools, cooking and cocktail classes, an equine center, and an onsite farm.

Bottom line: Why would you recommend this place?
Come for self-reflection and self-care. Miraval is an immersive wellness experience through and through.