When it comes to wellness retreats, Canyon Ranch is the original player in the game. The iconic resort, owned by Enid and Mel Zuckerman, began in Tuscon, Arizona, but it wasn’t long before the demand on the hotel and spa required an East Coast presence.
When we got an opportunity to attend an event series there, about brain health, we jumped. The all-inclusive Berkshire location, a wooded, quiet, place, boasts a sweeping lawn, on-site restuarants, a large spa and wellness center, and a host of fitness activities. A day may begin with yoga and end with canoeing toward a lakeside sunset. The brain health lecture series offered a captivating glimpse into some of the most cutting-edge science, something that Canyon Ranch makes available to guests and visitors frequently.
In a whirlwind three days, I was able to do everything from visit the sauna, salon, and spa, to walking into downtown Lenox, to relaxing in the comfort of my spacious room. When it came to choosing the Lenox, MA location, the search for the right spot took a long time – until the Zuckermans saw the Bellefontaine Mansion in Lenox, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
According to the Canyon Ranch owners, the central building was created in 1897. Bellefontaine had been a private home, a seminary, and then a boarding school, but when the Zuckermans saw it, it was left empty after having been gutted by fire.
The Zuckermans decided to restore the mansion while adding New-England-style buildings for the classic “vacation-style” aesthetic.
Canyon Ranch architects worked with the local historic preservation board to be sure that their restoration of the Mansion’s exterior and gardens was true to its historical background.
Today, the Bellefontaine Mansion houses the Integrative Health Center, a state-of-the-art Spa, and the cafe and restaurant. If you’re looking for an escape into the quietitude of New England, be it for simple relaxation, health pursuits of any kind, or spending time with loved ones, this is one of the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts we’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
