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miraval berkshires

Hart Howerton – LIV Awards Q+A 1024 576 Madison Silvers

Hart Howerton – LIV Awards Q+A

Amazing Architecture interviewed Jim Tinson and David Rau after Miraval Berkshires received the  Architectural Design in Wellness at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards.

Read the full article below –

photo of a pool deck with luxe recliners, umbrellas and landscaping dotted around the pool. A barn like structure lies at the far end of the pool.

 

INTERVIEWEES

Jim Tinson, Chief Executive Officer, Partner

Jim works directly with client leadership, for complex assignments in sensitive locations throughout the world. From cities to private estates, clients seek out Jim’s business acumen, international connections, technical expertise and more than 20 years of experience as a strategist, planner and designer. He combines an extensive business management background with broad design talent to lead our firm’s operations.

Jim has worked to create new communities, urban centers, and mixed-use environments for such premier clients and developers as The Related Companies, Cushman and Wakefield, DMB, St. Joe Company, Crescent Resources, Revolution Resorts, Rockefeller Group Development Company, Dolphin Capital, Walt Disney Company, and in association with others, Georgetown Development Co., Yale University, and the New York Jets.

David Rau, Partner

David is an architect with over 25 years of professional experience. His unique, collaborative approach has attracted a diverse clientele that relies on his ability to bring together ownership, executive teams, and other stakeholders around sound financial and operational objectives. David has led large, complex assignments worldwide for destination resorts, residential communities, cultural centers and urban infill developments.

Recent work includes two new U.S. locations for Hyatt’s luxury Miraval resort brand, as well as expansion of the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod and the repositioning of Harbour Town at Hilton Head Island. Prior work includes a private yacht club on Gibson Island in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay; a new Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Homestead resort in Virginia; and the repositioning of the iconic Grove Park Inn at Asheville. David’s international work includes The Belfry resort outside Birmingham, UK and a new residential community along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa.

QUESTIONS

 1. Hart Howerton won the award for Architectural Design in Wellness at the LIV Hospitality Design – what do you think sets this project apart?

Jim Tinson: It captures the spirit of its setting, while setting a new standard for creating healthy places.  The integration of hospitality with programming that touches all aspects of physical and mental wellbeing builds on the unique Miraval model, but elevates the experience in a way that sets it apart. You experience all aspects of the property in a completely immersive environment.

David Rau: The rich history of the Berkshire Mountains, the charming village of nearby Lenox, MA, and the historic character of the site with its landmark buildings all combine to distinguish this place as a compellingly unique destination. From the start, our goal was simply to build on the legacy of Miraval’s “Life in Balance” immersive spa experience, infusing the resort’s design with the traditions of the surrounding region in ways that touch guests at every turn -whether that be the architecture, the landscape or the interior spaces.

    2. How exciting is it to work on projects like this?

JT: This is exactly what we enjoy doing – working to create innovative environments that will stand as legacies in their communities.  It is particularly exciting to start from the beginning of the process – all the way back to acquisition and programming, and then carry a strategic vision through the detailed design of the complete environment.

 3. As master planners, how do you approach briefs like this – where do you start?

JT: We focus on designing the complete environment – bringing life to the indoor-outdoor spaces that together create a memorable place.  We start by thinking about a day in the life of a place – the “resort day” for the guest.  Working with ownership and the operations teams to understand what is distinct about that experience informs physical design.

DR: We always begin with research: a wide-ranging deep-dive into brand ethos, regional context, historic connections, agriculture, ecology, climate, and other influences. We look for practical ways to deliver an understanding of this environment to the guest, grounding them in the vibrant culture of the place. Ultimately, the goal from the start is to sharing these ideas through an immersive design that provides guests unexpected learning opportunities for personal growth, and ultimately, self-actualization.

     4. Were there any key influences or inspirations behind the design of this project?

JT: We were inspired by the original Miraval in Tucson and what has drawn visitors to return year after year.  Those transformative experiences set a precedent that we worked to expand and adapt to this historic setting.  The Berkshires is among the most beautiful regions in the country, with a distinct cultural legacy that sets a standard for how you spend time, year-round, in this timeless landscape.

DR: The powerful presence of the Berkshire mountains was a recurring influence throughout the design process. We looked to the small farmsteads populating this region for inspiration in planning the site, arranging the programmatic elements in a way that reflected the agricultural traditions of the area. This influence also appears in the choices of building materials and structural trusses in the larger primary spaces. We also integrated details borrowed from nearby Shaker settlements which reflect the simplicity of the Miraval ethos. For some special spaces, we interpreted the idea of a geode conceptually, having learned that the geology of the Berkshires is a rich resource for geodes.

 5. How long does a project like this take from brief through to conception and what are the different development stages?

DR: For a complex project like this the gestation period can be lengthy. Our involvement began with assisting Miraval with acquisition of the property, helping to understand the site’s existing landmark structures, its attributes and its liabilities. We then led an in-depth community engagement process that engaged neighbors, the village of Lenox, state government officials, and other stakeholders – eventually securing the approvals required to move the project forward. The design process was then highly iterative, exploring myriad options addressing the program, operations, guest experience, and maintenance over time. In the end, construction was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with a limited opening to ensure the welfare of the guests and employees. In all, the project took nearly 5-years from the first site visit to opening day.

6. What’s next? Do you have anything other projects coming up that you’re particularly excited about?

JT: We are fortunate to be working in many of the most iconic addresses in the world, creating healthy places that similarly reflect the qualities of their environments.  In the northeast, for example, we are busy in the finger lake region of New York at Inns of Aurora, where we recently created a spa and wellness destination that captures the spirit of upstate NY.  We continue working with those owners to extend that experience throughout this historic destination.  Likewise, in Naples Florida we are designing a new Four Seasons resort and private club that leverages the benefits of being in a “Blue Zone” to create a place that embraces those lessons of health, wellbeing and longevity.  We are busy bringing those principles to environments ranging from Europe, Aisa, the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America, to premier setting in the US.

DR: Our work with spa resorts now encompasses across all scales, regions, formats, and types. We our proud that our firm has become a leader in the larger “wellness and healthy living” movement, having partnered with leading universities and hospitals to develop a series of tenets and goals now recognized as foundational. Our capabilities in the design of spas is reflected in a diverse portfolio with more on the boards or set to open soon. The newly-opened Spa at The Inns of Aurora in Upstate New York recently achieve America’s first WELL certification for a spa by the International WELL Building Institute, making it a model within the wellness movement. Other work includes a second Miraval Life in Balance Spa in Austin; re-envisioning of the historic Tucson campus of leading spa brand Canyon Ranch; the recently opened Keswick Hall Spa in Charlottesville; as well as forthcoming spas in Naples, Florida; Taos, New Mexico; and Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Read the article on Amazing Architecture.

Miraval Berkshires and Alys Beach Club selected in the 2021 LIV Hospitality Design Awards 640 358 Madison Silvers

Miraval Berkshires and Alys Beach Club selected in the 2021 LIV Hospitality Design Awards

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Miraval Berkshires and Alys Beach Club take home prizes in the 2021 LIV Hospitality Design Awards under Architectural Design categories “Wellness ( SPA, Yoga, Retreat)” and “Others” respectively.

The mission of the LIV Hospitality Design Awards is to celebrate the quality and diversity of the architectural ventures and interior design projects shaping the worldwide hospitality industry today. The program was launched in 2020 and is an inclusive platform, pursuing and rewarding exceptional projects within LIVING and EATING spaces.

This special title is awarded to projects which are rated by our expert jury panel at 80 points or higher, out of a maximum 100. These entries are the Jury’s favorites Architecture & Interior Design.

See the full list of award winners here.

 

13 Romantic Weekend Getaways From New York City 1024 683 Madison Silvers

13 Romantic Weekend Getaways From New York City

When winds are whipping and grey clouds are threatening, heading indoors—and staying there—leads to another annual occurrence: peak cuffing season. The opportunity to court and be courted (apparently) spikes in the winter, and with hot toddies, cozy sweaters, and gorgeous candles aflame, we understand why. Yet, despite the need to burrow, New Yorkers tend to get a little stir-crazy when holed up in our apartment for longer than a day. Enter: romantic weekend getaways from NYC.

Whether your fling is fresh off the ground or you’ve been together for 30 years, there’s no better time than winter to head out of town for a weekend of quality time (even if you spend the evenings watching Netflix). Below, we’ve rounded up 13 of the best hotels within three hours of New York City for a perfect, luxurious winter weekend getaway.

Miraval Berkshires, Massachusetts

The beloved Miraval Spa of Arizona headed East in July 2020, with its newest offering welcoming guests in the Berkshire Mountains. Housed on the historic grounds of the central hilltop Tudor-style Wyndhurst Mansion, the stately “cottage” is surrounded by 380 acres of woodland delights designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect who created New York’s Central Park.

A digital device-free environment, the resort is the perfect place to detox from the stress of life in 2022 and enter “Miraval Mode,” where mindfulness is the core of the resort’s philosophy. (For those who can’t imagine going a full weekend without a scroll, technology is permitted in some designated locations, and, of course, in your own room.)

Miraval spa and reception areas
Miraval spa and reception areasPhoto: Scott Barrow / Courtesy of Miraval Berkshires

With a wide variety of treatments and an award-winning massage program, you will find no shortage of relaxation or pampering at this hideaway. In addition to the spa offerings, the resort boasts a full-service equine program, as well as culinary classes and a Sustainable Living program where guests can learn about beekeeping, wildlife rehabilitation and more. There’s also a robust yoga and exercise program where guests can participate in everything from barre to boxing.

Drawing inspiration from the rolling hills, soft clouds, and bright sunlight that define the Berkshires countryside, the rooms are infused with a playful use of light and shadow. For a special romantic weekend retreat, reach out to the concierge ahead of time and they’ll personally craft a unique itinerary for you based on your trip’s “intention” and your interests.

Troutbeck, Amenia, New York

Troutbeck, a boutique hotel situated on 250 lush acres, is a nature lover’s paradise. Just as beautiful swathed in snow as it is in the heat of summer, the upscale retreat is situated on the former estate of poet Myron Benton—a contemporary of John Burroughs, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau. The grounds laid dormant for decades, until it was recently renovated and reopened in 2018 by D.R. Horne & Company, of the Stone Barns Center, and Manhattan design firm Champalimaud Design.

With several new guest suites thoughtfully outfitted with Frette linens, fireplaces, and Malin + Goetz bath products, the hotel has quickly become a preferred escape for New York-based influencers like Instagram’s Eva Chen.

Nestled among 5,000 acres of woodland, the culinary program at Troutbeck is a big draw: led by Michelin starred Chef Gabe McMackin, the hotel’s seasonal menu is locally sourced in the Hudson Valley and offers up delectable concoctions seven days a week. If you’re not one to sit still by the fire, there is plenty to do both on site and in the area, with hiking, fishing, skiing, horseback riding and snowshoeing all options for the adventurous traveler. For the more culturally inclined, The Wassaic Project is minutes away. So too are Sharon, Kent, and Millerton—towns that are replete with book and antique shops, farmers markets, and great restaurants. Madava Farms, a maple farm focusing on sustainable syrup, is a fun tour to take (and eat your way through)—don’t forget to order pancakes at the farm’s café, where maple is (surprise!) the inspiration for the menu.

Hudson, Mass Moca and Dia Beacon are also within fifteen minutes from the property, making it the perfect upstate retreat for both foodies and art lovers alike.

Read the full article at Vogue.

Departures: The Legend Awards 1024 564 Madison Silvers

Departures: The Legend Awards

Departures-Mobile-Logo

We’ve sourced the best of the best in luxury offerings in the travel industry this year. And we’re sharing our insights with you.

It’s always good to be a legend!

Departures Magazine announced their  2021 Legend Awards,  you can see the full list HERE.

Hart Howerton highlights on the list below.

  • 7 Most Exquisite Private Islands in the World – The Cloister at Sea Island
  • Our Editors’ Favorite Road Trip Destinations – The Berkshires and Miraval Berkshires
  • The Best New Five-Star Lodges and Resorts in the US – Miraval Berkshires
  • The 7 Most Rejuvenating Wellness Experiences in the US – Miraval Berkshires
  • 7 Best Outdoor Hotel Experiences Across the US – Troutbeck

 

Half Moon & Miraval Berkshires Named in Travel & Leisure’s ‘It List 2021’ 447 223 Madison Silvers

Half Moon & Miraval Berkshires Named in Travel & Leisure’s ‘It List 2021’

Believe it or not, the past 12 months were big for hotel openings. Flinging open their doors for the first time, these new and revamped properties welcomed guests inside with a (masked) hello and a taste of travel’s future.

Our guide to the essential openings of the past year took us to 29 countries in pursuit of the unforgettable. Over the course of 2020, T+L writers and editors trekked to a remote Namibian tented camp in a vast nature reserve, surfed the waves at a boho-chic resort in Baja Sur, Mexico, and sipped Sazeracs on the porch of an 1891 former residence in New Orleans. While there are plenty of extravagant stays and familiar brands on the list, we committed to featuring properties that are the best at what they do while displaying a sense of innovation. Brand new builds, century-old architectural masterpieces, and family-run boutiques are all in the mix.

Ahead, you’ll find a hotel or resort for every taste and travel goal. There’s a 19th-century mansion in Jaipur, India, reborn as an intimate urban escape. A sleek getaway amid lush tropical forest on Malaysia’s Desaru coast. A safari lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta where African art is as big a draw as the wildlife. And a Massachusetts wellness retreat, set on hundreds of acres of wilderness in the Berkshires, where meditation, beekeeping, and organic food awaits. Read on for all 73 properties on the 2021 It List — your next adventure is a few clicks away.

Eclipse at Half Moon — Jamaica

Eclipse at Half Moon in Jamaica
CREDIT: COURTESY OF ECLIPSE AT HALF MOON

Half Moon is Montego Bay’s iconic grand dame, founded in the 1950s. So the announcement of an addition to this iconic 400-acre resort (which opened in December) was big news. Eclipse’s 57 rooms and suites are all outrageously spacious, with a fresh, island aesthetic (think hardwood floors, tropical print fabrics, and a soft color palette that’s meant to reflect the sand and sea outside), and some of the best meals I had were spent on my patio while listening to the rustle of palm fronds while looking out at the Caribbean Sea. There are, of course, several reasons to leave your room, including Delmare, an Italian-influenced seafood restaurant overlooking the ocean (bonus: the calypso band that plays here in the evenings). There’s also a spa and fitness center that offers yoga, pilates, and guided meditation—with nature’s own soundtrack courtesy of the waves nearby—as well as more active pursuits like golf, kayaking and snorkeling. However I spent my time, though, I found that the best way to end the day was always with a rum cocktail at Lester’s Bar, named after the Jamaican artist whose work adorns the walls. halfmoon.com; doubles from $699. —Sheryl Nance-Nash

Miraval Berkshires — Massachusetts

Lounge and fireplace at Miraval Berkshires
CREDIT: JAMES BAIGRIE/COURTESY OF MIRAVAL BERKSHIRES

The vibe is more summer camp than boot camp at the adults-only, 100-room Miraval Berkshires, which unfolds across 380 piney acres. Booze is generously available, and while baby-kale-quinoa bowls are offered at the smoothie bar, so is a sizable array of fresh-baked pastries. Aside from its easygoing ethos, the draw is Miraval’s program of inventive, and decidedly active, wellness experiences. In the surrounding forest, you’ll find hatchet throwing, ropes courses, and classes in primitive fire-building techniques, as well as workshops on beekeeping, rehabilitating birds of prey, and meditating with horses (a fascinating practice in which the horse responds to the guest’s energy). Treatments in the 28-room Life in Balance spa—such as the Kombucha Facial, which uses a tuning fork to release jaw tension—are similarly imaginative. And the food is sourced regionally and from the resort’s organic garden (my favorite dish: the Hudson Valley steelhead poke with crispy rice). miravalberkshires.com; doubles from $670 per person, all-inclusive. — Jancee Dunn

Read the full ‘It List’ at Travel & Leisure.

Winter In The Berkshires: Relax And Rejuvenate At The Newest Miraval Property 1024 693 Madison Silvers

Winter In The Berkshires: Relax And Rejuvenate At The Newest Miraval Property

indoor firepit with bench seating surrounding and looking out to views of the bekshires

The long-anticipated Miraval Berkshires opened in July of 2020 with a lot of fanfare. The 100-room property is tucked away in the beautiful town of Lenox, Massachusetts, and winter is an ideal time to visit.

Feedback from guests shows that they are interested in experiences that provide emotional and spiritual healing because of the trauma and stress they’ve faced with Covid. As a result, the staff has developed and reworked many activities to address these emotional challenges. One example is Avian Adaptations, an exclusive class at Miraval Berkshires in which guests interact with injured birds of prey and learn about their rehabilitation process, bringing lessons about perseverance and resilience into their own lives. The property also has a strong emphasis on the outdoors, so travelers can enjoy more space and fresh air. In addition to bringing fitness and yoga classes outdoors whenever the weather permits, the property offers a range of beautiful hikes throughout the Berkshires.

What makes this property unique is its approach to well-being. It offers a holistic wellness experience centered around the mind, body, and spirit that’s achieved in various ways, including offering hundreds of treatments, programs, activities, and lectures so people can design their own personal journey and address the areas where they want to grow and find balance. This encompasses everything from fitness, challenge courses, and meditation to culinary activities, art and equine programming, and therapeutic treatments at the spa.

Read the full article at Forbes.

Miraval Resorts Receives World’s Best Wellness Retreat Brand 2020 200 200 Madison Silvers

Miraval Resorts Receives World’s Best Wellness Retreat Brand 2020

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Learn more about the 6th annual World Spa Awards Winners by clicking the link here.

The Best Weekend Getaways from Boston 1024 732 Madison Silvers

The Best Weekend Getaways from Boston

Where to stay when you need a getaway—now.

We Bostonians pride ourselves on the abundance of overnighters, weekend trips, and quick jaunts we have at our fingertips, from Cape Cod beaches to the tranquil woods of Vermont and the Berkshires. This year, however, it seems like quarantine life has given us the short end of the stick. Now, as the travel industry seems to slowly yet surely adapt to this new world of health and safety protocols, the time finally feels right to find some well-deserved, much-needed respite. Here, we’ve hand-picked some of our favorite weekend getaways from Boston. Some are new and some are recurring favorites—but all of them will help you take back your 2020.

Chatham Bars Inn—Chatham, Massachusetts

beachside resort at dusk - view is facing the back side of the hotel from the water. the sky is purple and the resort is flanked by white sandy beaches and greenscape of rolling trees and shrubbery

Cape Cod lovers, eat your heart out. This hotel could easily rest on the laurels of its exquisitely perfect location on a quarter-mile private beach just a short walk from the action in downtown Chatham, but instead it delivers on every front. Especially noteworthy is the inn’s fleet of boats available for charter—whether you feel like zipping down to Nantucket for lunch, or you just want to be ferried over to a secluded stretch of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Miraval Berkshires—Lenox, Massachusetts

modern farmhouse style hotel building in white with multiple gables and a large balcony off one of the guestrooms. a large tree sits in front of the resort and a green lawn with pavers leading up to the resort entrance sits below

The year 2020 threw many hotel openings for a loop, but we are so glad that Miraval Berkshires powered through and opened up as planned, because a wellness-centric haven is exactly what we need right now. Fill up your dance card with guided meditations, Ayurvedic spa treatments, one-on-one wellness counseling, nutritious cooking classes, energy work, water sports, Pilates, and, of course, a signature ropes course that visitors to Miraval’s Tucson and Austin locations will immediately recognize.

Read the full article at Conde Nast Traveler.

5 Perfect (and Socially Distant) Summer Weekend Getaways From NYC 1024 683 Madison Silvers

5 Perfect (and Socially Distant) Summer Weekend Getaways From NYC
While summer always brings about dreams of weekend getaways from NYC, the urge to get the hell out of town has frankly never been stronger after being cooped up for months. But the age-old question remains: where, exactly, should I go?

Well, you’ve come to the right place, because we’ve got a variety of suggestions depending on your idea of an ideal summer sojourn. Maybe all you want is a day at the beach, or maybe you yearn for a wellness retreat. Perhaps you want to hike through the woods, or a leisurely stroll down the quaint streets of a 19th-century town is more your style. (We’ve got picks for all of those, in case you’re wondering. This guide contains multitudes—as do you. )

Below, five perfect weekend getaways from New York, each within driving distance of the city. Or, in the case of one, seaplane from the East River distance (though you can still drive to that one too). Whatever fits your fancy, really—just make sure to travel safely, responsibly, and with a mask. And before we forget: always check with your hotel, Airbnb host, or tourism website for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 safety measures and re-opening phases. Now, without further ado—

The Wellness Weekend: The Berkshires

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A cottage at the Miraval Berkshires.Photo: James Baigrie/Courtesy of Miraval

Wellness fiends are going wild with the July 15 opening of Miraval Berkshires, the famed brand’s first retreat in the Northeast. (For the uninitiated: Miraval Arizona essentially invented the idea of the “destination spa.”) Sitting upon a 380-acre expanse in Lenox, Massachusetts, it’ll have a state-of-art-spa, but also a golf course and a ranch dotted with horses for equine therapy. A bonus? Its minimalistic, clean-line architecture is an aesthete’s dream. The new space is in good, Goop-like company: Canyon Ranch also has a property in Lenox, which reopens on July 9 from its COVID-related closure. If a summer de-stressing session is your top priority, Western Massachusetts should be top of mind.

Driving distance from NYC: 2 hours and 45 minutes

What to pack: An Outdoor Voices exercise crop top for pilates class, Adam Selman sweatpants to lounge in afterwards, a travel yoga mat that folds nicely into your suitcase. Oh, and some CBD gummies so you can really relax.

 

The Little-Town-by-the Lake Trip: Finger Lakes, New York

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Aurora Inn, in Aurora, New York. Photo: Courtesy of Inns of Aurora

New York isn’t quite the land of a thousand lakes–but, if one cares to venture to its northernmost region, it is the land of 11! The stunning, scenic Finger Lakes are chock full of charming inns and boutique hotels. Chief among them are the Inns of Aurora, a collection of five historic, centuries-old properties owned by American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland. For those who want to be smack dab in the middle of town, stay at the Federalist-style Aurora Inn, or, if you’d like to be near the water, the spacious Rowland House, with its pristine green lawn that rolls right into Lake Cayuga. The Inns are small, boasting at-or-under 10 rooms, and also allow buyouts by families or large groups.

Opening in August is The Lake House on Canandaigua. This sprawling new resort, which includes a main house, a spa, a timber-frame barn, a stand-alone tavern restaurant, and beachside bar, is perfect for those who’d prefer not to venture from hotel grounds. It’s sure to attract a design-loving crowd: the project is a collaboration between Studio Tack and The Brooklyn Home Company. Oh, did we mention you don’t actually need to drive here? The Lake House offers seaplanes from the East River right to its grounds.

Obviously, with all the lake access, water sports—from boating, to kayaking, to canoeing—are a main draw. But don’t miss strolling through the Finger Lakes’ local towns (while wearing a mask, of course), many of which date back to the early 19th or even 18th century. The region is also known for its plethora of wineries, many of which specialize in Riesling. Consider it a near-home Napa.

Driving distance from N.Y.C: 4.5 hours.

What to pack: a Batsheva day dress that fits the vibe of the Finger Lake’s architecture and a bag to match, a wine log to write down your favorite Rieslings, and a pre-ordered bottle to crack open on the waterfront lawn.
Read the full article at Vogue.

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