In short… Tucked away on the grounds of a Gilded Age estate in the Massachusetts Berkshires, this wellness retreat helps guests address whatever wellness means to them, from absolutely every angle — with an everything-you-could-ask-for spa, a massive indoor yoga, athletics, and fitness complex, and high-tech health and longevity lab.
The surroundings… An elegant little campus now surrounds the original Bellefontaine Mansion, a 19th-century estate built in the image of Versailles’ Petite Trianon. Bellefontaine was completed in the late 1890s — a 35-room summer “cottage” for financier Giraud Foster. In the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families went to Newport to see and be seen, while they came to Lenox — “Inland Newport,” as it was known — to be outdoors, farm, garden, ride horses, walk in the woods. That’s still the case here: there’s a vast network of trails across the property’s 110 or so acres of lawns and woodlands, where you might come upon a 40-foot climbing wall, a meditation labyrinth, the occasional inviting hammock or free-standing outdoor shower, and original Italian stone sculptures peeking out of the undergrowth.
The backstory… Pioneering U.S. wellness retreat Canyon Ranch was founded in 1979 in Tucson, Arizona (where the flagship still thrives, and the name makes more sense). You might go to the inclusive resort to get away from it all, take a break from the stress of everyday life, or find a distraction from whatever ails you. The idea here, though, was less escape, more fix. This is long before longevity was a buzzword or “wellness travel” was a booming industry, and the brand helped shape the modern idea of immersive, preventive wellness in the U.S. Canyon Ranch Lenox opened in 1989. I learned during my stay that a new outpost, Canyon Ranch Austin, is opening later this year with a focus on women’s health and wellness — menopause, sexual health, et. al.
The vibe… Quiet luxury. Cashmere jumpsuits. Solo travel. Intimate friend getaways. The occasional couple. All the clientele are carrying their standard-issue black Canyon Ranch totes. No one is here to stand out. People may change out of their yoga wear for dinner, especially in the more formal of the property’s two eateries, but the vibe is low-key.
The rooms… are comfortable, clean, and modern. One wall of large windows looks out into the trees surrounding the accommodations wing of the property. During my stay this past fall, the leaves were radiant reds and golds. The bed was comfortable, the robe was awesome — all I could’ve wanted after long days drinking smoothies and hiking and reconsidering my career in the eucalyptus steam room.
The food & drink… are just what the doctor ordered (in a pleasing way). Think winter vegetable shakshuka or house-baked breads with cultured dairy for breakfast. One restaurant and one casual café on property, and both menus pride themselves on locally sourced ingredients and refreshing dishes that fit any diet — including diets recommended by the in-house nutritionists. Silverleaf is the bright, modern, “formal” option, while Culinary Rebel feels like a hometown coffee shop (complete with an on-demand espresso bar, a build-your-own smoothie counter, and bottomless bowls of snacks). Meals are included in your overnight, and alcoholic beverages are extra (that little push you needed if you were planning to really wellness it up and abstain—though their wines-by-the-glass selection was so delightful I did indulge in a glass of Arnot Roberts chardonnay). On a long enough stay, you could hitch a ride or even stroll the mile into Lenox, where there are a handful of solid restaurants (try Frankie’s for Italian). For me, not interacting with the outside world for three nights was part of the magic.
The wellness… is this place’s whole reason for being. What’s your idea of wellness? Their goal is to offer it all. Guests might be there in groups for set programs or themed weekends, on everything from sound healing, to managing menopause, to racquet sports. A guest can also book a “choose your own adventure”-style stay and populate their schedule — managed in a mobile app — from the refreshed-weekly catalog of free and paid daily activities. I had access to all the facilities and sports courts and pools and spa, plus free daily activities — from boxing (the luxury kind, where no one actually punches you), guided nature hikes, aerial yoga, and “fitness for your feet” — and indulgent extras, like acupuncture sessions, “Intro to Pickleball” clinics, and anti-aging facials. For some, a wellness weekend can go deeper: I sprung for a DEXA scan — a quick, full-body, low-dose X-ray that gives insight into bone density and muscle mass — along with one-on-one follow-up consultations with an MD, a dietician, and an exercise physiologist who reviewed my results and came up with a personalized fitness and food plan I brought home with me. Some guests are here on more medical journeys, and they have access to a suite of doctors who specialize in things like chronic pain, burn-out stress, or grief with a signature Canyon Ranch swirl of ancient therapies and cutting-edge tech. In this way it’s like resort hospitality meets concierge medicine.
Is it kid-friendly? They do welcome guests as young as 14. There may be age restrictions that layer onto specific activities. More of a “Moms, bring your teenage daughters for a transformative — and deeply personal — girls trip” kind of place.
Be sure to… really clear the decks when you book a stay here. I was tempted to try to do a little work during my Friday-to-Monday stay, but I am so glad I didn’t: Keeping that Zoom call would’ve upset the vibe and eaten into my much-needed eucalyptus steam room time.
Parting words… I’ve never felt so laid-back and so highly programmed all at once as I did at Canyon Ranch. It felt like college again, in a good way, filling my schedule with a wall of enriching classes and activities. I’ve also never come home from a vacation and actually felt refreshed, balanced, and ahead of the game — as opposed to wishing I had a whole day to recuperate. Not the case here. It was a complete reset and recharge. Highly recommend.
Date of stay… October 17–20, 2025
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