As an expectant mother, my husband and I were truly looking forward to this babymoon—our final opportunity for a peaceful retreat before welcoming our baby. We had high hopes for a serene and rejuvenating experience and even extended our stay in advance, trusting the resort would deliver the level of service and atmosphere we expected. Unfortunately, what was meant to be a special and soothing escape turned into a string of disappointments and frustrations.||||Before I go through the negatives, I would like to mention the positives:||* Cart service was quick and efficient||* Angel, my spa attendant was very thorough and I did enjoy my prenatal massage. Question is more of - was it worth $295 - I may have to revisit that.||* The free classes / experiences was good. Not something memorable, but it was new.||||Lack of Clarity and Missed Expectations:||||One of the first issues we encountered was the lack of transparency regarding a nightly resort credit. We were informed that our stay included a credit, but the amount—$175 per night—was never clearly communicated. Because of this, we missed the opportunity to apply it toward the extra night we added. This lack of upfront communication felt misleading and soured the start of our experience.||||Service Shortcomings and Missed Details:||||Several key service gaps negatively impacted our stay:||||* No welcome refreshment or amenity was offered upon arrival—something we expected, especially as we were celebrating a babymoon.||* Despite my visible pregnancy, we were assigned a below-ground room, which felt poorly considered and uncomfortable.||* Turndown service was entirely absent throughout our stay.||* The air conditioning wouldn't cool below 69°F, with staff attributing it to outdoor heat. This made it difficult to rest comfortably.||* The Discovery Pool offered only three food items and no non-alcoholic or pregnancy-friendly beverage options. Everything was self-service, which felt more like a casual pool club than a luxury wellness resort.||* On Monday, there was no staff presence at either the Serenity or Discovery pools, and even on busier days, poolside service was minimal to nonexistent.||* No fresh juices or smoothie customization was available—surprising for a resort centered on wellness.||* We noticed rust on pool ladders and handles—concerning not just for aesthetics but also for guest safety.||||Dining & Sanitation Concerns:||||* Dining options were limited, repetitive, and uninspired.||* On Saturday evening, we waited 15 minutes to be seated despite having a 6:15 pm reservation—and the restaurant was nearly empty.||* Service lacked coordination; several servers approached our table asking the same questions, and we often received duplicate items.||* We observed unsanitary practices including brushing crumbs onto the floor, handling glassware and utensils with bare hands, and pouring unused water back into pitchers.||* Sparkling water was repeatedly topped off with still water, despite our specific request. We eventually had to ask for the can to avoid confusion.||* Basic details were overlooked: mismatched salt and pepper shakers, cold buffet items like smoked salmon not being kept on ice.||||Limited Food & Beverage Variety:||||* Breakfast and lunch menus remained the same each day, with little variety. The buffet was just passable.||* “The Nest” and the main restaurant shared nearly identical offerings, offering no change of pace or culinary interest.||* The Discovery Café had only three menu items and was closed on weekdays, limiting options even further.||||Final Thoughts:||||While some of these issues might seem minor in isolation, collectively they reflect a lack of attention to detail and service that falls well short of the luxury wellness standard Miraval Austin claims to uphold.||||This trip was meant to offer connection, comfort, and calm before a significant life change. Instead, we left feeling overlooked, uncomfortable, and disappointed. As hospitality professionals ourselves, we understand that no operation is perfect—but what’s most concerning is the absence of follow-through or genuine care.||||Regrettably, we cannot recommend this resort to other parents-to-be seeking a thoughtful, restorative...
Read moreThis is tough to write for many reasons. This was a 3 night stay for our family. 8 people in 4 rooms and it was a “buy 2 get 1 night free”. My wife and i had previously visited Tucson (5 Stars) and we so wanted to love this experience. So we thought this would be a great holiday moment. While it was great that the family was together, that was the part that kept us all happy.
Extremely small for this type of $$$. So disappointing. Especially with the digital policy and you just want to relax and read on your eReader. It is not luxury room quality. Small, nice looking modern rooms and were clean. Just small.
Hot water in the room was terrible. We couldn’t have two showers in a row. Whoever the second person is was, even an hour later, cold water. Not warm. Not exaggerating. Cold water. Yes. Cold.
The beds have an extremely comfortable feather cover. But after you sleep on it you realize that it is covering up a terrible mattress. In addition the pillows were so soft that they ended up flat and it seemed as if you were sleeping on a folded towel. Granted I prefer a firmer pillow but I’ve never been in a room where the pillow was so soft it was as if I didn’t have a pillow by the end of the night.
Now to the service. It was as expected and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The dining and spa staff were exceptional and clearly well trained. Great experience. The classes were very good as were the instructors that taught them.
The food was hit and miss. Breakfast was great. The mocktails and coffee simply weren’t consistent. Depending on who made them, that determined the taste. And it was not the same from shift to shift. The lunch menu was good, healthy and light. The disappointment was dinner. Just take wagyu beef off the menu. Idk what it is, but it is not quality wagyu. Tough and not tasty. It actually tasted so burnt that the charcoal taste is all you could taste. For the money we paid, i had higher expectations.
And then the digital policy. I’m not convinced that the company knows what they are trying to accomplish. The marketing materials refer to more of a “disconnect” policy but the website clearly Defines a no device policy. Guess which one I read. Yep. In fact, for a “no device” policy you can take pics with your camera and there are many designated areas where you can call or text. So is it a no device policy or not? Well, if you are trying to read the morning news and drink coffee in peace and quiet.........it is DEFINITELY a no device policy. How convenient. You can read a book and a newspaper just not on a device. Wow. Not texting, emailing, calling or bothering anyone. Just reading and relaxing (and saving the planet by the way). I’m ok with the policy. But if it’s device free then how can there be areas that you can text and take calls other than your room? So i had to walk 12 feet out in FRONT of the restaurant where it was 42 degrees in order to enjoy the rest of my book. I’m not going to spend more money on paper and books that don’t change the way in which I am disconnected or not. I agree. Peace and quiet and no cell phones.......that is a great plan. But you can’t call it device free if you will allow a camera to be used for pics. Why not sell disposable cameras? To me it’s the same as forcing me to read a paper book. Could it be that the company likes the social media attention from the pics? Of course they do. The company doesn’t have the courage to take a stand on no devices. I would respect that much more than a selective policy. The company clearly doesn’t want to take a stand on something they believe in. It’s truly a don’t text/don’t call policy unless you are reading. Silly is what it is and you can see it reflected in the marketing brochure.
My point is that before going here you need to know the policies and what you are getting into. At least in Tucson the rooms are so awesome that you can spend tranquil time there reading from your device. Not in Austin.
The experience was worth about half of what I paid. We will go elsewhere next time. Won’t be back to...
Read moreI was so blessed to share an overnight stay at Miraval Austin with my dear girlfriend, Janet. From the moment we stepped onto the property, the experience was utterly amazing.
Every detail of our stay felt intentional, from the warm welcome at check-in to the breathtaking views that surrounded us. The accommodations were luxurious yet calming, designed to encourage mindfulness and tranquility. Whether we were indulging in the incredible spa, enjoying the delicious cuisine, or simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere, every aspect of Miraval Austin exceeded our expectations. . Miraval Austin is more than just a resort—it’s a sanctuary for the soul. If you’re looking for a place to unwind, reflect, and recharge, this is it. I left feeling lighter, more centered, and incredibly grateful for the experience. . Robert in the dining room was our server multiple times, and he was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and accommodating when it came to my food sensitivities. He made us feel so comfortable and well cared for. Valerie and Hannah were also exceptional servers, always ensuring I felt welcome and never like a burden. The entire dining team went above and beyond to accommodate dietary needs without hesitation. . Zach was my instructor for both the Rock Squirrel Challenge and Slack Lining, and he was phenomenal! He was professional, encouraging, and never made me feel foolish when I struggled with the lock switch. Instead, he cheered all of us ladies on and built our confidence every step of the way. . Janette led our belly dancing class, and even though we couldn't hear her well due to a microphone issue, she was an incredible instructor. Just watching her was inspiring, and we had the best time laughing and learning! . Sunshine, the storyteller, was a true joy. Her beautiful spirit and captivating stories about her childhood and ancestry transported us to another time. Her flute playing was mesmerizing, bringing back memories of my trip to the Badlands in South Dakota with my husband. . Cate (“with a C”) led our Morning Stretch and Strength & Mobility class, and she was absolutely delightful! She reminded me of "The Rambling Redhead" in the best way, so fun, energetic, and clearly born with a smile in her heart. . Priscilla Victoria’s Soul Journey Meditation was beyond words. My girlfriend had heard amazing things about Priscilla, so I signed up on her recommendation. I had NO idea how deeply moving it would be. The moment Priscilla’s hand brushed mine, I immediately felt her spirit and was overcome with emotion. She spoke of a little girl, “Dimmie” at least I think that was her name, standing in front of us with her hands outstretched. In that moment, I saw a red heart-shaped stone with beams of light radiating from it. As she placed it on my heart, my entire body trembled. It was completely unexpected and deeply beautiful. I’m so grateful I took this class. . Scarlett’s Blend and Balance Smoothie class was an absolute blast! She’s incredibly knowledgeable and has a way of making you laugh while you learn. My girlfriend and I had so much fun, and we walked away with fantastic new ideas. . Audra, our aerial yoga instructor, was equally wonderful. Neither of us had tried aerial yoga before, but her guidance made it easy and enjoyable. By the end of the class, we both agreed we needed to find a place near us to continue practicing! . Francis, the hostess, was incredibly kind and accommodating, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. . Every single person we encountered at Miraval Austin made our stay unforgettable. The warmth, professionalism, and genuine care from the staff created an atmosphere of pure joy and relaxation. Their genuine care and commitment to well-being made all the difference. The resort’s offerings, from yoga and meditation to outdoor adventures, provided the perfect balance of activity and rest. It was a much-needed escape from the daily grind, allowing us to reconnect with ourselves and each other. . Thank you, Miraval Austin, for a truly...
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