Alisa and Bob Lindberg negotiate a tightrope 25 feet high. It's part of a challenge course at Miraval, a luxury spa that has added to its impressive laurels by being named No. 1 in three recent industry magazine surveys.

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Readers of a trio of travel and spa magazines agree — when it comes to healing and the wellness experience, Miraval, Life In Balance knows its stuff.

The Catalina-based company is ranked the No. 1 destination spa according to three readers' polls in industry magazines.

This week, Miraval was awarded the Crystal Award for Best Spa in North America by SpaFinder Magazine.

Other international spas ranked No. 1 by readers include posh resorts in South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, Germany and Australia.

"If there's a trend to be gleaned from this year's awards, it's that spa-goers want the broad spectrum that spas have to offer — fitness, spa cuisine, therapies as well as magical settings and technical expertise," said Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder Inc.

Earlier this year, Miraval was also designated No. 1 in readers polls for best destination spa in America by Condé Nast Traveler and best destination spa in the world by Travel & Leisure.

It's the first time Miraval has been ranked tops in three publications, said John Vanderslice chief executive officer for Miraval.

"With SpaFinder's ranking, and the two other magazines' rankings, Miraval now has the triple crown of awards," Vanderslice said.

The awards come at a time when Miraval is getting ready for expanding its brand, as the wellness resort looks at new areas to open spas, new wellness programs and to market products around the world, Vanderslice said.

Lifestyle products in food, beverage, beauty, body, and health, and nutritional supplements are part of the plans for "evolving" the Miraval brand into a household name in health and wellness, he said.

The resort north of Tucson is spread out among 400 acres near the Santa Catalina Mountains, with casitas and suites clustered in five villages on the property. Miraval describes itself as a destination spa that combines more than 150 health and fitness programs with services like facials and massages.

Staying at Miraval is not for those on a tight budget.

Seasonal rates average about $550 per person for one-night stays.

Those rates also include all meals, transportation to and from Tucson International Airport and spa and wellness sessions.

Guests can also take part in new treatments developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, director of Miraval's integrative health and healing.

Weil, who also heads the University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine, is creating Miraval's wellness programs, include combining medicinal plants and mind-body interactions with other therapies, and is helping to shape Miraval's new Center for Life In Balance, scheduled to open on the property in 2008.

Miraval was also named in five other spa categories, including best spa for hiking, yoga and cooking classes.

Readers of SpaFinder publications and visitors to Spafinder.com cast their ballots for what turned out to be more than 1,000 spa properties worldwide.

Voters were asked to only cast ballots for spas that they've personally visited within the past three years.

Tucson's other wellness and destination spa resort, Canyon Ranch, was also ranked this year by SpaFinder readers in 11 categories including Best Medical Spa, Favorite Brand and Mind, Body and Spirit.