Why Canyon Ranch is opening a US$500 million resort in Texas focused on women’s wellness
Women’s wellness often focuses on weight loss and appearances – but there is a shift towards empowerment and ‘health as a lifestyle choice’
Enter Canyon Ranch, the OG of American wellness retreats, founded in 1979. In September 2026, it plans to unveil its third location on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, an ambitious 240-hectare ranch whose primary focus will be women’s wellness.
Two-thirds of the brand’s guests are women, says chief executive officer Mark Rivers, referring to his existing resorts in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Tucson, Arizona. Yet that same demographic, he says, “is misunderstood and swallowed in general healthcare”.
By 2030 the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase 9 per cent, to 1.2 billion, with a forecast market size of US$24.4 billion. Spas will have to cater to this powerful market or risk getting left behind. It’s no wonder that wellness industry pioneers including Sha Wellness in Mexico and Spain, Ananda in the Himalayas, and Kamalaya resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, now offer programmes to address fertility, pelvic floor dysfunction and more. And the growing discourse around these issues for women has made it easier for men to admit to similar concerns too.
“The rise in awareness around the gender health gap – particularly the lack of persistent data on female hormones and health – has helped normalise conversations that were long overdue,” says Anna Bjurstam, head of wellness at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, which earlier this year introduced a female wellness pilot programme in partnership with women’s health expert Dr Mindy Pelz. “Let’s face it, the wellness industry has historically centred on weight loss and aesthetics. But women want to feel good, not just look good. What we’re seeing now is a shift towards empowerment, education and energy.”
Canyon Ranch’s Rivers claims that his resort, however, will be the industry’s first dedicated women’s wellness practice. “There’s a lot of noise in the space, but we’re actually making an investment in it,” he tells us. To wit, Canyon Ranch Austin is a sizeable investment. It had previously been reported to be costing around US$122 million. Now Rivers confirms the price tag is actually reaching US$500 million, of which US$50 million will be devoted to the largest spa in Texas, clocking in at 40,000 sq ft with 37 treatment rooms.