Robin Kanno, a travel specialist with Landmark Travel, unreservedly recommends the Spa at the Fairmont Orchid, on the Big Island. “The ‘Spa Without Walls’ allows guests to enjoy treatment in an outdoor waterfall massage hale (traditional thatch hut) or oceanside cabana,” she says, instead of an indoor treatment rooms (though that’s an option). “For a relaxing restorative treatment,” she adds, “have the lomilomi massage and request Stephanie.” Lomilomi is a form of ancient massage that Hawaii’s ruling chiefs used as both a luxury and for better digestion.

For more information: Spa at the Fairmont Orchid

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Signature treatments here include the Hualalai Hot Rock Massage, Polynesian Coconut Scrub and a heavenly Ayurvedic foot treatment, which Leah Smith of Coastline Travel Advisors calls “perfect after a day of touring.”

For more information: Hualalai Sports Club and Spa

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At this spa, says Leah Smith of Coastline Travel Advisors, “they strive to create a very Hawaiian experience” and points out that the spa has even created a signature scent reflective of Hawaiian culture called Maile. She advises taking the Polynesian Steam Therapy to clear the mind, followed by a lomilomi massage. Kanno also recommends the SpaHalekulani, where she says “you are treated like royalty.” Top on her list there are the two-hour Elegant Passage and four-hour Grand Voyage treatments.

For more information: SpaHalekulani

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Robin Kanno of Landmark Travel says that the Spa Suites here “offer a complete private environment for each guest. In your spa suite, you have your own shower, treatment room, and relaxation area.” Linda Reist of American Express-Azumano Travel adds that the spa’s Kona coffee and coconut-vanilla slimming wrap “creates a diuretic, anti-cellulite treatment that is wonderful.”

For more information: The Spa at the Kahala

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Leah Smith of Coastline Travel Advisors says, “this spa lives up to its name by occupying 50,000 square feet of the resort. The Spa Grande is one of the only spas that offers both a teen (ages 13-15 and 16-19) and children’s spa (ages 6-12). Avid spa goers must experience the six-hand Lava Stone massage, a service I have never seen offered anywhere else. This massage is done by three masseuses in complete synchronization with the use of hot lava rocks.” Linda Reist of American Express-Azumano Travel adds that the Grand Wailea “offers family spa programs that provide adults with lomilomi massages, while kids enjoy a chocolate-coconut massage.

For more information: Spa Grande

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Pam Price, co-author of 100 Best Spas of the World, easily recommends the Mauna Lani Spa at the Mauni Lani Resort, on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. “It’s like a bigger version of SpaHalekulani,” she says, “but what I really like is that they’ve designed an entire outdoor spa experience. There’s nothing more exotic than feeling the tradewinds as you have your spa treatment.” She calls this spa, which features nine outdoor Hawaiian thatched treatment huts, “an intimate, authentic garden-level spa that captures the essence of Hawaii.”

For more information: Mauna Lani Spa

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“They have a 110-minute ceremonial lomilomi massage,” says noted spa book author Pam Price. “It’s done outside with meditative dance movement, music and conscious breath—we’re talking two or more therapists here for one client.”

For more information: The Four Seasons at Wailea

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