I’d had Miraval Tucson on my list since I first started working with Exclusive Resorts back in 2021. Friends raved about the spa rituals, the digital detox, the deep sense of presence the desert invites. At first, I imagined coming solo — a true retreat for myself. But when I saw that The Club offers three-bedroom villas, the idea shifted: what better way to give back to the people I love than to bring them along?

Miraval, after all, is about possibilities. And what better possibility than crafting an experience where each of us could pursue our own intentions, then return each night to our shared table to swap stories, laugh, and compare notes on whose morning meditation sparked the biggest insight.

The Group

We were a motley crew: my cousin, freshly off the plane from New York, eager to dive into as many eastern healing therapies as possible; my aunt and mom, pulled toward the mystical and spiritual; my dad — who skied 99 days last season — opting for a mix of meditation, Pilates, and photography classes; my boyfriend and me, game for everything from Equine Therapy to Ayurvedic spa treatments to the Sky Traverse ropes course that pushed me further than I expected.

Every day, we’d pass each other en route to different classes, or cross paths at the smoothie bar for a quick ginger-turmeric shot, but the only rule was to gather for dinner each evening. It gave the retreat a rhythm — scatter by day, reconnect by night.

The Miraval Way

What struck me most was how effortless it all felt. Our dedicated on-site Exclusive Resorts concierge tailored each itinerary to fit our individual intentions. If anyone wanted to make a last-minute change, it happened seamlessly. You could relax, push your physical limits, or delve into deep chakra meditation. Miraval has a way of meeting you where you are.

The experiences themselves were extraordinary: my cousin had his Qi restored after months of travel; my dad found new appreciation in stillness; my aunt and mom rediscovered the desert’s spiritual side. For me, the Path of the Jaguar energy-based ritual and the Miraval Equine Experience left the deepest imprint, revealing surprising insights. And yet, the simple act of floating in the pool under the Arizona sun was equally restorative.

The Table

The highlight came when Chef Zach hosted a five-course dinner in our villa. Between the inventive flavors, the wine pairings (think cured zucchini with raspberry chili oil and risotto with oyster mushroom and sundried tomato), and the easy conversation, it felt like a private dinner party. Only later did he reveal the secret: every dish but one (a flawlessly cooked fish course) was vegan. None of us guessed, and all of us were floored.

The Takeaway

In the end, that’s the magic of Miraval Tucson: one destination, infinite experiences. Each of us left with something different — breakthroughs, clarity, inspiration, or simply renewal. But the shared experience of living under one villa roof, retreating by day and reconnecting by night, turned what could have been individual journeys into something collective and unforgettable.

Miraval isn’t just a wellness retreat. It’s the perfect family vacation — a place where everyone finds their own path, yet comes together in the desert light to share it.