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Editor’s note: The author and her husband used two Miraval Extra Night Awards gifted to them by Hyatt during a media event to cover two nights of their four-night stay. The opinions expressed in this story are entirely the author’s and weren’t subject to review by Hyatt.
Set your intention. Prepare for “Miraval Mode.” Sign a contract agreeing not to use digital devices in most areas of Miraval Austin. Then, choose activities ranging from crystal meditation and a metabolism lecture to cardio drumming and a farm tour.
I knew Miraval Austin — which participates in World of Hyatt — was likely to be a special place and that my stay would be memorable. But I completely underestimated how impactful and, frankly, jarring (in a good way) my Miraval Austin stay would be. Here’s what it was like and how to decide whether Miraval Austin is right for you.
What is Miraval Austin?
Miraval Austin is a wellness-focused resort just outside Austin, Texas. All Miraval Austin stays include meals, nonalcoholic drinks, transportation between the resort and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), and many activities.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Some activities, spa treatments and alcoholic drinks cost extra. But most rates include a daily resort credit you can use toward paid activities and spa treatments.
For all those reasons, Miraval is unlike any other brand within the World of Hyatt portfolio. And I dare say it’s different from any you’ll find within other major hotel loyalty programs in general, even the health-oriented luxury chain Six Senses, which is part of IHG One Rewards.
What you get from a Miraval stay — whether at Miraval Austin, Miraval Arizona or Miraval Berkshires — depends on how much you immerse yourself in the experience.
Related: Your ultimate guide to Hyatt’s hotel brands
How far is Miraval Austin from the nearest airport?
Miraval Austin is 27 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with a 30- to 60-minute drive time.
The resort offers complimentary transfers to and from the airport at set times, although you must book these transfers in advance. Transfers depart the airport hourly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and depart the resort at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. daily.
Miraval Austin is also close enough to Austin for guests to use ride-hailing services if they prefer. For example, when leaving the property around 4:30 p.m., I took an Uber to a nearby car rental facility. Just be prepared to wait awhile after submitting your request and let the Arrivals Center staff know you’re departing via ride-hailing service so they can let your driver in the gate.
Related: Lake Austin Spa Resort review: Is it worth splashing out for?
How much is Miraval Austin, and what are the best ways to book?
Rates at Miraval Austin start at $772 or 40,000 Hyatt points per night for a single-occupancy standard room. If you book a double-occupancy standard room, rates start at $1,274 or 57,500 points per night.
Stays at Miraval Austin code as a Hyatt hotel on Chase credit cards. So, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar if you use your World of Hyatt Credit Card to pay for your stay.
Award pricing follows the World of Hyatt award chart for Miraval. This award chart has off-peak, standard and peak pricing as follows:
Award type
Off-peak points per night
Standard points per night
Peak points per night
Standard room
40,000 (single occupancy)
57,500 (double occupancy)
45,000 (single occupancy)
65,000 (double occupancy)
50,000 (single occupancy)
72,000 (double occupancy)
Standard suite
65,000 (single occupancy)
82,500 (double occupancy)
75,000 (single occupancy)
95,000 (double occupancy)
85,000 (single occupancy)
107,000 (double occupancy)
Premium suite
95,000 (single occupancy)
112,500 (double occupancy)
105,000 (single occupancy)
125,000 (double occupancy)
115,000 (single occupancy)
137,000 (double occupancy)
Related: Does it make sense to redeem World of Hyatt points for all-inclusive resorts?
Miraval Austin rates include the room, meals, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks, and an assortment of wellness activities, fitness classes and informational sessions. Most rates — including award nights you book with points or an Ultimate Free Night Award, but not complimentary nights obtained using a Miraval Extra Night Award — also include a $175 resort credit per person, per night.
Best way to book a Miraval Austin stay
The best way to book a Miraval Austin stay is through World of Hyatt. Depending on the paid rates for your dates and your valuation of Hyatt points, you may want to book a paid stay and earn Hyatt points or redeem Hyatt points for your stay. Either way, you’ll earn Hyatt points on your incidental expenses, enjoy elite benefits, and get elite-qualifying nights and points toward status when you book through Hyatt.
If you plan to book a paid rate, look for less expensive nights you can book during promotions that might offer a third or fourth night free or an elevated daily resort credit.
Miraval Extra Night Awards
One way to get a great deal on your Miraval Austin stay is by using Miraval Extra Night Awards. These awards are redeemable for an additional consecutive night of free accommodation at a Miraval property when you pay an eligible rate, redeem a Free Night Award, or book a points-plus-cash stay for a night on the same stay.
However, these Extra Night Awards take a lot of nights with Hyatt to earn. You can earn a Miraval Extra Night Award through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program after staying 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 150 elite-qualifying nights with Hyatt within a calendar year.
HYATT.COM
You’ll have to call Miraval to book to use a Miraval Extra Night Award, though. The only way the Miraval agent could book my stay using Miraval Extra Night Awards was in four separate reservations that couldn’t subsequently be combined.
Having four reservations resulted in transportation and checkout confusion, the need to book activities within each separate reservation and about 45 emails from Miraval leading up to my stay (many of which were duplicates since I got the same emails for all four reservations). Hopefully, Miraval and Hyatt will find a way to book Miraval Extra Night Awards in a way that doesn’t require multiple reservations, which would eliminate these annoyances.
Related: The 16 best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world
How do Miraval Austin daily resort credits work?
Most paid and points rates at Miraval Austin qualify for daily resort credits that can be used for fee-based activities, private sessions and spa treatments (but not retail purchases and alcohol). These credits roll over throughout your stay, so you don’t need to worry about fully using your credit each day. Instead, Miraval will add up your credits and eligible expenses for your entire stay at checkout, and you’ll be left to pay the difference.
I used part of my resort credit on a floating meditation class. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Resort credits are per person, not per room, though. Unlike most hotels, which track credits and expenses by room, Miraval keeps track of each individual’s credits and expenses. So you can’t apply your credits to another person’s charges, even if they’re in your room.
Miraval Austin day spa package
Miraval Austin also offers day spa packages on some dates. You can book your day package online, which lets you enjoy the property from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day packages at Miraval Austin are currently available from $466 per person and include the following:
$250 resort credit per person
Welcome tote bag and reusable Miraval water bottle
Lunch in the Hilltop Crossings Kitchen
Smoothies and the coffee bar at The Nest
Yoga, meditation, fitness classes and wellness lectures (you should reserve space in these in advance)
Access to other Miraval Austin resort amenities, including the Body Mindfulness Center and pools
Miraval Austin accommodations
Guest accommodations are located in 13 buildings around the property. Most buildings have three floors with about three rooms per floor. We were in Room 222, a second-floor double-queen Dreamcatcher room near the Arrivals Center in the Discovery Cove section. This is a standard room type, the other being a Hill Country King.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Near the entrance to our room was a wooden panel with five fold-out hooks that were convenient for hanging bags and clothing.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Next, the closet area adjoined a beverage station with a small refrigerator. The beverage station included coffee cups, water glasses, wine glasses, and ample coffee and tea supplies. In the refrigerator was a water carafe that could filter tap water.
Within the closet was an iron and ironing board, two plush Miraval robes, a luggage rack, ample hangers, a safe and slippers.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Around a corner from the closet was the bedroom. The beds looked — and felt — like clouds. Although the bedding was soft and plush, I slept great despite having a back that is normally agitated by soft beds.
Between the beds were a lamp, outlets, a clock and a meditation cushion.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Across from the beds was a 65-inch TV. Unfortunately, the TV was not “smart,” so I couldn’t stream music or videos. Under the TV was a cabinet with a cellphone “sleeping bed” to help folks disconnect, and a Tibetan singing bowl.
By the window was a chaise lounge designed for one person.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
And by the patio doorway was a table with no chairs. This meant there was only seating for one inside the room unless you considered the meditation cushion seating (which I did not).
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
The patio held four chairs and a small side table, presumably because the room could sleep up to four guests. I loved sitting on the patio, listening to the birds sing and looking at the flowers in the field below.
Next to the patio door was the bathroom, which you can separate from the bedroom with a sliding barn-style door. Two sinks and plenty of counter space made getting ready quickly in the mornings easy. Below the sinks were towels and a hair dryer.
A toilet room with a door and fan was on one side of the sinks.
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
On the side of the sinks toward the patio was a shower with an opaque window, letting in some light while providing complete privacy. I loved the rainfall showerhead, but there was also a handheld one.
Miraval Austin layout
Miraval Austin looks large on a map, but I could walk between most points on the main property in less than 10 minutes.
Always check your printed schedule or the Miraval monthly guide to see the location for your activites. You’ll find most fitness activities occur in the Body Mindfulness Center. The BMC has a large room for classes, bathrooms (each with a stocked shower and towels), a well-stocked gym and lockers.