There is plenty of lore surrounding Canyon Ranch®, which is expected given its reputation as a world-class wellness resort. So for me, a first-timer, spending a night at its Lenox outpost was a bit intimidating. Would I be able to keep up with the workouts? Is healthy food really satisfying compared to my usual weekend fare (um, fries)?
But as soon as I stepped onto “the Ranch,” those worries vanished. What greeted me were helpful, genuinely invested experts, flavorful feel-good eats, and just the right amount of sweating to remind me that, yes, I actually do enjoy exercise. Wondering what a day in the life looks like? Let me walk you through.
8:30AM: Time to tackle the first workout of the morning (was I crazy for planning on two classes?): HIIT IT!, a quick 20-minute burst of cardio and strength. I immediately notice there are two instructors in the room, a signature element of Canyon Ranch’s fitness program.
9AM: My reward for surviving a HIIT class with plenty of stamina to spare? Avocado toast in the Cafe. This version is kicked up a notch with an over-easy egg, a pickled red onion, and hot sauce. So simple, so good.
10AM: Class number two starts now, and it’s high-energy Cardio Kickboxing led by Melissa, who had me giggling in between a blur of jabs, uppercuts, and bobbing. This workout is a double whammy: energetic sweat sesh and smile-inducing stress relief.
11AM: Next up? Nutrition for Inner Beauty with Kristin Hantzos, MPH, RDN. I ask her why beauty supplements are so buzzy right now and walk away with a checklist of B vitamins for healthy skin, nails, and hair. Apparently, that coveted trifecta can be mine with some whole grains, broccoli, and seafood.
12PM: For lunch, I step into the demo kitchen where Chef Adrian is leading a Lunch & Learn. It’s basically like watching a cooking show, but you get to eat the food right off your screen. My biggest takeaway from his Asian-inspired menu: Eat fermented foods for digestion. (So that’s why they have miso soup at breakfast in Japan.)
1PM: In my downtime, I give myself a tour of the Bellefontaine Mansion, where I stumble into the library and am pretty quickly transported to another era. It’s the perfect spot to make some progress on The Wangs vs. the World by a crackling fire.
3PM: I walk into Kala Gresser’s Metaflow Yoga class. It’s billed as being full of “loving kindness,” which sounds kind of hokey to me, but as soon as I’m on the mat setting intentions per Kala’s direction, I get it. Not only is this a good stretch – I’m also sending good vibes to my loved ones.
5PM: My first meditation is a wrap! (Yup, someone got this lifelong fidgeter to sit still.) As soon as instructor Laurie’s soothing voice asks us to open our eyes, I see a pretty bird in the trees outside our window. It’s cliché, but I’m definitely feeling at one with nature. Better yet, I’m equipped with breathing techniques to help me navigate hectic commutes.
5:30PM: The Zen continues when I jump into the inhalation steam room. It’s a welcome dose of humidity for my dry, winter-ravaged skin (and that eucalyptus spray really opens up your sinuses!). Then a quick hop into the well-stocked shower – with Canyon Ranch’s own chia seed shampoo and dilo oil lotion – and I’m off to eat.
6:30PM: Dinner is in the mansion, in a bright room with funky artwork adorning the walls and views of the rolling Berkshire hills at dusk. I put in my order full of New England–sourced ingredients: a grilled octopus and squid ink cauliflower puree appetizer and a lobster entrée, complete with miso-roasted rainbow carrots, saffron aioli, and osetra caviar. Much to my surprise, I even have ice cream, made on-site with local maple syrup.
8PM: Now, the moment I’ve been waiting for… the Ultimate Hydrating Ritual, 100 minutes of exfoliation and a warm-oil massage from literally head to toe. I choose two aromatherapy scents: Ore (bay laurel, ylang-ylang, clove) and Earth (sandalwood, fit needle, bergamot) and my therapist gets to work. After feeling like a warm, chicly wrapped spa burrito, she suggests I leave the oil in my hair overnight for an extra hit of moisture.
10:30PM: I turn in for the night with a mug of sleepytime tea, an episode of House Hunters, and the promise of another replenishing day (not to mention a crazy-soft head of hair).
By Susie Kostaras, Managing Editor
