First, I have to discuss that this trip was mostly taken using credit card points! I think I got the idea from this podcast ep: Travel Mom Squad #147: Staying at the Miraval Arizona All-Inclusive Wellness Resort on Points.
NOTE ON SHARING PRICES IN THIS POST: I don’t usually do this – money stuff is always so relative! But I was pretty excited at how it worked to use points for a good chunk of this trip, and I figured it would be the most illustrative if I shared actual cost info.
(ALSO: I WISH there were more resources to read about travel with cost info included!)
We have had had a Chase Sapphire Preferred card for years, but were never particularly strategic about spending the points that accumulated (OR particularly strategic about maximizing points earned on our spending!). In the past, I had often redeemed a chunk of points every so often for a free hotel stay using the Chase Travel portal.
But as you all know, I’ve been learning more about the game (it totally is a game!) that is Points and Miles, and the aforementioned podcast episode sparked my interest. Other than Disney cruises, I had never been to any sort of all-inclusive experience and the fact that you could buy this (pricey!) trip with points seemed pretty enticing. Miraval has 3 domestic locations: Berkshires, Arizona, and Austin. I chose the first because a) I love the area (I mean, I was just there!) and b) it’s easy to fly directly to Albany from FLL.
When I casually shopped to see how much rooms cost at Miraval if they were purchased outright they were (for these dates) extremely expensive – think over $2000 per night. This would have been way over our budget for this sort of thing, and despite a general willingness to spend out on hotels (I really do enjoy a nice hotel!) honestly — we wouldn’t have considered it. But on points, each night was 70,000 points for the dates we chose. And we had plenty of points in our Chase account – I think close to 200K at the time! So I initiated what I think was my very first points transfer to Hyatt, and our trip was purchased.
As I learned on the podcast, when you buy a night at Miraval (with points or dollars), it comes with $175/person to spend on property, whether that is on paid activities, upgraded dining, or spa treatments. I also learned that you could maximize your time by checking in early (and/or leaving late!) without paying for an extra day.
We decided to do two nights at Miraval, but expand our time there by spending the night prior at a local hotel that was less expensive. I had some Marriott points and booked us at the Element Lenox — a mere 10 minutes down the road and perfectly comfortable.
(Additional points note: I got our JetBlue flights using Chase points, too! FLL –> ALB wasn’t too spendy from a dollars OR points perspective but I decided to use points because that was the theme of the trip). We did rent a car (not on points!) as Albany airport is about an hour from Lenox MA, and there is no shuttle from that airport, though Miraval does offer one from the local Amtrak station and a different airpot — Hartford.
So all of that is how we PAID for the trip.
Now . . .how was it!?
FRIDAY
As mentioned, we stayed at a nearby hotel the night prior to our stay, which was fine. We settled in and started to get into relaxation mode, eating a cute restaurant in Lenox (Alta). Then, on Friday morning we each did a workout and then headed to check in at Miraval! I honestly was worried it would seem very . . .uppity (think: designer labels, plastic surgery appearances) but it honestly was not like that at all. Check-in was super smooth (they valeted the car and brought the luggage to our room later), and we headed right to our first activity, which was a hike in Ice Glen.
This was a guided group hike (if you do not like group experiences, meeting new people, or guided activities then Miraval is NOT for you!).
I personally loved it – we had two guides who were super nice and entertaining, and they pointed out things I never would have noticed, and shared a lot of the history of the area. This was a free activity.
We were gone about 2 hours (the hike was a ~15 min drive away), and then we headed to archery (!). This was Josh’s pick but I admit I found it pretty fun too — it reminded me of being about 10 at summer camp since that was the last time I shot a bow and arrow, ha. Josh had way better aim but hey — I hit a bullseye or two. Again, this was led by an instructor and pretty structured. This was a paid activity ($59 each).
After that, we grabbed a snack and headed to a 4:00 pm sensory wine tasting — sensory because the wine was poured into black glasses so you didn’t have any visual cues. The instructor Nick had been at Miraval for a long time and was clearly passionate about it — he did a really nice job (and there was a delicious cheese plate too). This event came with PLENTY of wine (I poured a lot out after tasting) including a glass of each person’s favorite at the end. The group was small – just 5 guests total, one other couple and a very cute and earnest 24 year old who was there with her parents (but I guess they had not chosen this particular activity). This was also a paid activity ($89 + tax).
Then we had a bit of time to relax and sip our glasses of wine before heading to the ‘fancy’ dinner option. People on various review sites had mixed feelings about whether this prix fixe experience was worth it (meals are otherwise included at Miraval) but Josh and I really enjoyed it and thought the food was quite good ($149/each).
It felt like we got in a pretty full day despite NOT staying over the night prior!
SATURDAY
Okay, on to our actual full day! We got up early and headed to their most ‘advanced’ hike, the Monument Mountain (paid activity: $49/each). I was initially a little bit nervous (bc of my heart stuff) but then realized that they probably can’t take guests on something that was really all that crazy due to the different ages/skill levels people come in with.
We did go up some pretty steep sections, but overall I was totally fine. The hike took about 2 hours and 15 minutes (plus 15 min each way for driving) and once again was guided REALLY well. In this particular case, our guide was super excited to take us to see a peregrine falcon — super rare and really cool!!!
Speaking of cool – it was 50-55 degrees for this hike which ended up feeling great. I actually think we lucked out on the weather (it had been in the 80s the week prior). I am always happy to endure cooler weather when we travel because it’s so hot here, and the spring vibes (vs early summer) were welcome.
We were back right before 10 which meant we were able to go to the restaurant (included) for breakfast. I thought the food overall was quite good. (I had a spinach omelette with Boursin).
Then we had a bit of time to relax before heading to massages at 1 pm — we headed to the spa area (open for anyone, regardless of whether you have a treatment) around 12:30 and then had a lovely duet (couples) massage. This was DEFINITELY pricey ($240/each), but they made it clear that gratuity was included and in fact this applies to everything at Miraval (staff apparently cannot accept tips but tips/compensation is supposed to be built into pricing).
It was a lovely massage (50 min to me is a little short because I am spoiled and often get longer ones) and then we went back to our rooms to change into bathing suits and went back to the spa to enjoy the hot tub. It was cool outside and lightly raining which made it all the more fun.
THEN we showered and got ready for the most woo woo activity we chose to partake in: a floating meditation session (paid, $79/each). I had no idea what to expect, but it ended up being really relaxing and enjoyable — I would do it again! We were cocooned in silk hammocks with eye masks on and treated to an array of soundscapes, movement, and scents. (Really, it was cool!).
Josh and I headed the bar area and slowly sipped some wine before dinner, and then ate in the (included) restaurant that evening.
(Again, I know this might NOT appeal to some! But for us it worked and we felt it was overall a positive. People in common areas were reading, journaling, having conversations — not all bent over phones.)
SUNDAY
Our day of departure! Now if were truly maximizers, we would have planned a late departure or even put another hotel on the BACK end of this trip, since they let you stay until 5 pm on property on your check-out day (you do have to clear out of your room, but you can book activities all the way up until 5pm, and you can even leave your luggage in the room so they bring it to your car).
BUT, our nanny was watching the kids and we wanted to be home by dinnertime on Sunday, so we just had a partial day! We had breakfast in their (included) restaurant and then headed to a mat pilates class together — Josh’s first pilates experience! He also threw a little treadmill run in there too (it was raining, otherwise he would have gone outside). This was enjoyable (not too hard, but some challenging parts) and then we headed back to the room to pack up and check out.
This process went seamlessly as we stopped in the gift shop while they got our car (and luggage) and were able to head to the airport by 11 for our flight home.
Total cost in $ at Miraval (for the fancy dinner, massages, and all of the paid activities): $760 (remember, we had $700 total of credit that came with our stay, so this is why it’s less than what the activities add up to above)
Total cost for Miraval in points: 140,000 Chase points (which were transferred first to become 140,000 Hyatt points)
Additional expenses: Flight (~19K JetBlue points each transferred from Chase), rental car ($260), hotel the night prior (~40K Marriott points), parking at FLL ($80)
So overall this wasn’t a true budget venture, BUT it was something I basically never would have sprung for purely in cash.
Would I do it again? ABSOLUTLEY YES.
Miraval totally fits my (our) vibe. It’s outdoorsy but curated, health-conscious but without being over the top. Luxurious without being snobby. Overall very peaceful and contemplative. We would love to go back and/or try the other properties. I know Hyatt has changed their points valuation chart some, but it appears that points are still an accessible path to Miraval.
(Oh and let me make it clear this post is NOT SPONSORED in any way shape or form, we used our own points / $ to pay for this trip. Just in case that wasn’t obvious!)
If you have questions – let me know!!!
Final points note: playing the points game only works in your favor if you pay all credit card balances in full every month. We actually don’t even do that much in terms of getting new cards/sign up bonuses (I’ve done SOME, but nothing compared to many). We just have a fairly high burn rate naturally (for better or for worse!) and have started to figure out how to leverage that. We are absolutely only barely on the surface level and not maximizing whatsoever. I definitely do want to learn more!
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