This review is independent and not sponsored
I personally visited both resorts and covered the cost of my stays independently, and this article reflects my experience with complete honesty.
If you’re considering a Miraval wellness retreat, you’re probably asking the same question I did: which one is actually better? Miraval Austin and Miraval Arizona in Tucson share the same brand philosophy, but the experiences feel distinctly different once you’re there. I stayed at both so I could understand those differences firsthand, not just on paper but in how each place made me feel day to day. This comparison is meant to help you choose the Miraval experience that will actually support what you need from a wellness retreat right now.
LOCATION
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa is located in Tucson, at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Sonoran Desert. While it’s surrounded by desert landscape, it’s not especially remote. The resort is about a 30-minute drive from Tucson International Airport and relatively close to the city itself, which makes arrival straightforward. Once on property, the desert views feel open and expansive, but I always felt aware that Tucson was nearby, giving the resort a balance between retreat and accessibility.
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa sits on a large, secluded property overlooking Lake Travis in Texas Hill Country, about an hour from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Despite being closer to a major city, it actually felt more isolated to me once I arrived. The winding roads, elevation, and lack of surrounding development created a stronger sense of being tucked away. The landscape is greener and more enclosed, and the separation from the city felt more pronounced, which made the transition into retreat mode feel deeper for me.
ROOMS
I was disappointed with the rooms at both Miraval Arizona and Miraval Austin, especially considering the price point. While the beds were comfortable and I slept well, neither property delivered a sense of luxury once I stepped inside the room. The furniture felt inexpensive and poorly made, the design lacked cohesion, and the overall look and feel were closer to something functional than refined. Even the smaller details, like the towels and in-room amenities, didn’t meet expectations for a resort positioned at this level.
Between the two, Miraval Austin stood out in a negative way. The room there felt particularly underwhelming, to the point where it reminded me more of a basic, low-end hotel room than a high-end wellness retreat. Miraval Arizona was slightly better, but still far from luxurious. I’ve seen similar feedback echoed by other guests, who often mention that the rooms feel dated, sparse, or not aligned with the premium pricing. For me, the real value of Miraval lies in the programming, the spa, and the overall experience, not the rooms themselves.
The room at the Miraval Arizona
The room at the Miraval Austin
WELLNESS CLASSES
Both Miraval Arizona and Miraval Austin include a full schedule of daily wellness classes in the nightly rate, from yoga and meditation to fitness sessions and workshops. I appreciated that at both properties, the classes felt approachable and well guided, even if you’re not deeply immersed in wellness culture. Nothing felt performative or intimidating, which made it easier to actually enjoy the experience rather than feel like I was doing it “wrong.”
At Miraval Arizona, I focused on mindfulness meditation and yoga, and those classes were a highlight of my stay. The instructors were excellent, the pacing felt thoughtful, and the desert setting added something intangible but powerful. I found myself slowing down in a way that felt natural, not forced, and those sessions stayed with me long after I left.
At Miraval Austin, I loved the variety of classes, but the standout experience for me was the equine program. I participated in one of the horse experiences, where you work closely with a horse on the ground, walking alongside it and engaging through presence rather than riding. It was surprisingly impactful and emotionally grounding. That said, this was an additional cost on top of the included programming, which is important to know. Depending on your interests, some of the most memorable experiences at Miraval, especially in Austin, may require paying extra beyond the nightly rate.
SPA
The Life in Balance Spa is a key part of the experience at both resorts, offering a wide range of treatments including massages, facials, body therapies, and wellness-focused services designed to support relaxation and overall balance. The menus go beyond basic spa offerings and feel intentionally aligned with Miraval’s wellness philosophy.
At the Arizona property, the spa felt central to my stay. I naturally spent more time there and never felt rushed. I booked a pedicure and used my resort credit toward it, and it was excellent, unhurried, and genuinely relaxing. My partner had a facial and loved it as well. The space itself invited lingering, and the experience felt restorative from start to finish.
In Austin, the spa is beautiful and well maintained, but I didn’t book any treatments there. While it’s clearly a strong offering, it felt like one important element among many rather than the emotional center of the stay.
FOOD AND DINNING
Dining is included at both resorts, and the food is consistently high quality, nourishing, and well prepared. I never felt restricted or limited at either property, and there was always something satisfying to choose from.
That said, Miraval Austin clearly stood out for me when it came to food. The presentation was more refined, the menus felt more varied, and the overall experience felt more polished. Meals there felt intentional and well thought out, and I looked forward to dining rather than treating it as a functional part of the stay.
At Miraval Arizona, the food was good and thoughtfully sourced, but it didn’t leave much of an impression. Breakfast in particular felt underwhelming. While everything was fresh and well made, the presentation was basic and the meals didn’t feel as elevated or memorable as they did in Austin.
VERDICT
I enjoyed both Miraval Austin and Miraval Arizona and left satisfied overall. The wellness classes were excellent, the instructors were strong, and the programming felt thoughtful and well executed. Service was a clear strength at both properties, the staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in the guest experience. Where it fell short for me was in the accommodations and the overall sense of luxury. For the price, neither property felt truly high-end. The rooms were basic, the furnishings lacked quality, and there was little sense of refinement once I closed the door, which was hard to ignore at this level. Miraval also feels like a product of an earlier era of wellness travel. The philosophy is solid, but the execution hasn’t fully evolved alongside what’s available today. For the same investment, I would seriously consider alternatives like Six Senses, Kamalaya, or SHA Wellness Clinic, where the wellness feels more current and the accommodations better match the price. Miraval still does many things well, especially service and classes, but at today’s rates, it no longer feels like the most compelling option in the wellness retreat space, and if I were choosing again, I’d likely look elsewhere.