In the category of Destination Spa Retreats, Miraval Life In Balance in Tucson is my favorite - I can go to a gym or yoga class anywhere, so for me it's about their focus on what Miraval calls "mindfulness" - a philosophy I try to live by - that means being fully present in the moment, with an awareness of life and the impact of your decisions that enables you to feel greater control over your path in life. 

Nestled into the hills of the Catalina Mountains, Miraval Life In Balance is one of those places where you sense the magic as soon as you enter - it goes beyond the beautiful southwest inspired decor and even its desert surroundings - there's a serenity and spirituality here that seems to come from the earth itself.

But don't think that Miraval is a place where you'll do nothing but sit around with your legs crossed and meditate all day (although you could if you choose to)  - there are number of activities to challenge, entertain, and educate you - from fitness to golf, hiking and biking, learning to cook or paint, working with horses, to learning how to improve your relationships.  At Miraval you'll spend a week and change your life.

The guest accommodations at Miraval are grouped in five "villages" of casita-style rooms (many of them have private patios) and all of them are decorated in a very casual, but still elegant, decor that puts an emphasis on comfort.  All rooms are non-smoking.

All rooms feature plush velour bathrobes, a refrigerator with complimentary juice and bottled water, a coffee maker with tea and coffee, complimentary daily newspaper, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, TV/VCR, telephone with two lines, a data port, and voicemail, twice daily maid service, Miraval brand bath amenities, and complimentary laundry and dry cleaning service as well as complimentary self-service washer/dryer facilities.

Click this link for a list of available Miraval Life In Balance Resort Room Types.

The Miraval Spa is a 35,000 square-foot two-story building in the center of the resort, within which you'll find a large selection of wellness- and relaxation-focused activities and treatments.  There are separate men's and women's luxuriously appointed locker areas with steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools, along with over 100 treatment options drawn from several different cultures (Ayurvedic, Oriental, and Native American) and a full service salon.  Please feel free to download the Miraval Life In Balance Spa Services Guide (Note that this is a .pdf file that will either open in a new browser window or download to your computer based on your personal browser settings.)

In addition to the Spa at Miraval, there are a number of other complexes, including a Fitness Center with over 50 fitness and Yoga classes to choose from weekly, their unique Equine Center (which offers a program designed to enhance one's personal and professional relationships via insights gained through interaction with horses), and those used for a variety of health and wellness classes, along with special demonstrations, classes, and workshops on a wide variety of topics - such as nutrition, creative expression, coping with grief, love and sexuality, time management, stress reduction, and much more - Miraval is about helping you achieve your own life-improving goals by giving you the education and tools to make positive changes for yourself.

For more physical pursuits, Miraval offers two tennis courts, access to a nearby golf course, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails (with guided trips), nature walks, and an olympic-sized swimming pool in addition to a smaller Spa Pool and several jacuzzis.

• Accommodations for desired number of nights
• Transportation to/from the Tucson International Airport
• All Meals and snacks
• A wide selection of over 50 complimentary fitness classes weekly
• Daily selection of talks, workshops, and cooking demonstrations
• Wide variety of guided hikes and biking excursions
• A generous allowance towards spa treatments and sports/wellness services
• All taxes, service charges, and gratuities

In addition there are a number special packages, special events, and personalized programs to choose from.   Please ask me about available packages, events, and programs if you are interested in enjoying the full Miraval Life In Balance experience.

Three daily meals are included in the cost of your stay at Miraval Life In Balance Health Resort and Spa at their Cactus Flower Restaurant, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

There is also The Palm Court and poolside snack bars, open during the day, in case you get hungry between meals and need a snack, and the Brave Bill Lounge, which is open after 4pm for appetizers and cocktails.

The food at Miraval Resort is both nutritious and delicious, prepared primarily from fresh local ingredients and organically grown produce, along with naturally raised animal products, ensuring that there are no pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones in any of their dishes.   What you will find is flavorful cuisine that is satisfying and healthy.

And with the wide range of nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations available at Miraval, you'll learn how to navigate the often confusing and conflicting nutrition information that's published, how to avoid fad diets and develop healty eating habits, tips for eating healthy when dining out, and how to prepare delicious and healthy gourmet meals at home.

Please note that alcohol is served, but not included in the cost of the packages.