As the holiday season approaches—with its whirlwind of parties, deadlines, and endless to-dos—it can feel like we’re running on fumes. A day pass or staycation at Miraval Austin offers the rarest of gifts: stillness, reflection, and the chance to reconnect with yourself. Whether it’s the thrill of spotting a protected bird in the nature preserve or an unexpected realization uncovered within, Miraval promises moments of magic woven into every visit.
From October through December, the resort adds a gratitude-focused menu of activities and offerings to its already expansive year-round schedule. Designed, in their words, “to open your heart and elevate your compassion for the beautiful wonders, big or small, that surround our daily lives,” the experiences help guests move into the season with more presence and peace.
Upon booking, you’re invited to start building a personalized itinerary—important, since the sheer breadth of options can feel delightfully overwhelming. On arrival, you’ll receive a packet that encourages you to set a one-word intention for your stay and tuck away your digital devices into a “cell phone sleeping bag.” The grounds are largely phone-free, making the immersion complete.
Highlights of the gratitude-inspired programming include:
- Equine Experience – working with horses and expert facilitators to notice and shift restrictive patterns while practicing living in the moment.
- Movement meditations – from a self-guided hike on Miraval’s private trails to a contemplative walk through the Sophie Labyrinth, described as “a metaphor for our sacred inward journey to the Divine within.”
- Creative classes – manifestation workshops, culinary lessons, and even hands-on beekeeping or chicken-keeping.
- Unique yoga – everything from aerial yoga in silk hammocks to TexZen Yoga, inspired by Willie Nelson’s Zen nature and Texas musical legacy.
And of course, the Life in Balance Spa is not to be missed. Guests receive a credit toward treatments that span from crystal energy balancing and signature massages to indulgent body rituals, scrubs, and facials.
Before departure, Miraval invites you to write a letter to yourself—a reflection on your experience and intentions. Three months later, the note arrives in your mailbox, a gentle reminder of the calm and clarity you cultivated.
In a season when our calendars tend to fill and our energy runs thin, Miraval Austin is more than a retreat; it’s a reset. A chance to pause, breathe, and remember that gratitude itself can be transformative magic.