Creating a Life in Balance

We asked Vic Cappadona, General Manager of Miraval Berkshires to share his thoughts on everything from the “secret sauce” at Miraval Resorts to creating memorable guest stays to the most impactful guest testimonial. See what he says.

What's the "secret sauce" at Miraval to making guest stays so memorable?  

I believe our "secret sauce" is the care and intention our team puts into every Miraval experience. We recognize the individuality of our guests, listen to their wellness goals, and curate personalized experiences centered around their intentions.

Besides location, how do the Miraval resorts differ from one another? 

Each Miraval resort experiences the same wellness themes of Mindful Living and Life in Balance but showcases the local culture and breathtaking landscapes.

Miraval Arizona benefits from the desert landscape to offer mindful hiking, biking trails, and wellness activities in Santa Catalinas' warm shade. Miraval Austin is renowned for its biodynamic farm and outdoor wellness activities in the Texas Hill Country and on Lake Travis, plus a series of exclusive wellness programs that integrate Austin's robust music and art culture. Miraval Berkshires, the newest addition to the Miraval Resorts portfolio, embraces all four seasons of charming New England. The year-round offerings complement each other through seasons of guests' lives, allowing them to enjoy equine adventures, snow and water sports, plus a historic golf course on the property's 380 acres of rolling hills.

Do you cater more to the solo traveler or who's ripe for a stay at Miraval?

One of my favorite aspects of Miraval is that through our custom wellness itineraries, called Journeys with Intention, we can cater to all types of travelers, including solo travel. For example, a guest could choose the "Self-Connection" journey, resulting in an itinerary filled with activities and treatments to promote self-reflection, self-care, discovery, and adventure. Other Journeys with Intention include a Reconnection Getaway, Couples Retreat, Culinary & Nutrition, Fitness Focus, and more.

Whether guests decide to visit solo or with loved ones or friends, our wellness specialists ensure that each guest leaves with the tools they need to maintain a life in balance.

Have guests' goals and intentions changed from pre-pandemic, and how?

As a result of the pandemic, we've seen many guests needing time to focus on themselves and mentally reset. Where we may have previously seen more guests visiting for a leisurely stay of fun activities and relaxing spa treatments, we're now seeing increased interest in our more introspective offerings like our mental wellbeing.

What would a typical day look like at Miraval for a guest?

Here at Miraval Berkshires, a typical day varies considerably from guest to guest and season to season. Our guests generally start their day with a healthy meal at Harvest Moon Restaurant or a smoothie and pastry from our grab-and-go café, The Roost, before heading to their first scheduled activity. Depending on guests' preferences, they may choose to begin with a sunrise yoga offering or a challenging morning hike.

The guest would then follow their itinerary for the day, usually taking breaks in between to relax in their guestroom or by the pool. Activities might include an equine experience, a Challenge Course activity, an art class, beekeeping, a culinary class, a day on the golf course, or a spa treatment. Lunch and dinner are available in the restaurant and included in the overnight rate so guests can delight in Miraval's healthy and balanced cuisine.

After a full day of wellbeing, guests return to their guestrooms to relax and recharge. Our guests can also enjoy the Gilded Age for a one-of-a-kind dining experience at Wyndhurst Mansion's gourmet restaurant, 1894.  Our fine dining meals (chef's tasting menu or prix fixe option) feature ingredients from our garden and local farms. Plus, carefully selected wine or zero-proof pairings tell an accompanying story of cultivation, culture, and terroir.

We are also preparing for the Holidays by offering festive touches and unique wellness experiences that celebrate the season.

What new things can we expect from Miraval in the future?

Miraval Resorts will offer Miraval Mindful Weddings at Miraval Berkshires in 2023 and beyond! We’re shifting the focus toward a more mindful, positive, and empowering approach to weddings.

Miraval Berkshires is a destination for couples to reinforce meaningful connections and practice mindfulness as a pair, a unique approach to nuptials that sets them on a journey to create and maintain a life in balance together. In many places, a wedding is just a day that can pass by quickly and become a distant memory for the couple and their loved ones.  At Miraval Berkshires, the wedding is an exclusive experience to discover, grow, reflect, and nurture oneself.

With us, the wedding is more than just another destination where it ends as quickly as it begins; it’s an experience that allows everyone to come together and bring more wellbeing and self-discovery back home into their day-to-day lives.  A Miraval mindful wedding is not just a day or a weekend, it is the beginning of a journey that sets your intention for the rest of your life together.

What is the most unforgettable guest testimonial you've ever received?

We have the privilege to be a part of so many transformations it's hard to identify just one; however, the statement "this place and the people have saved my life" is the most impactful thing I believe one can hear.

What do you want Four Hundred members to know about Miraval?  

The most important thing to know about Miraval Resorts is our mission: to help guests create a life in balance through mindfulness. Our goal is to meet guests where they are by encouraging them to embrace the present moment and make wellness a way of life.

Our digital device-free resort lets guests participate in the Miraval experience free of distraction and allows them to unplug. Through digital mindfulness, serene nature settings, and renowned wellness programming with our team of experts, guests will be given the tools they need to create a life in balance and maintain it after their stay.