Aloha time for mind, body and spirit
The mere mention of Hawaii is enough to send most people along the road to relaxation, if only in their minds. In a gentler age a trip to a tropical paradise like the islands of Aloha might have been enough to downshift one’s life by a speed or two, but with so much ambient stress out there including a spa component in a Hawaii vacation isn’t as outlandish as it may sound.
When it comes to variety and quality of spas, Hawaii is impressively endowed indeed. Whether you’re looking for a revitalizing Polynesian Coconut Scrub or a traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage, you’ll find it at the spas Hawaii’s top concierges and travel specialists recommend.
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 treatments in an outdoor waterfall massage hale(traditional thatch hut) or oceanside cabana,” she says, instead of an indoor treatment room (though that too is 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 treatment and for better digestion.
Another excellent Big Island spa option is the Hualalai Sports Club and Spa at the Four Seasons Hualalai, on the beautiful Kona Coast. Here, signature treatments 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.”
She’s also a fan of the SpaHalekulani, on Oahu, where “they strive to create a very Hawaiian experience” and have even “created a signature scent called Maile, which is a reflection of the rich Hawaiian culture.” 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 is the two-hour Elegant Passage and four-hour Grand Voyage treatments.
See our slideshow of Best Spas in Hawaii.
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See our slideshow of Best Spas in Hawaii.
The Spa at the Kahala is another good choice, and Kanno says that “the Spa Suites 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.”
Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui has its champions, too. 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 a teen (ages 13-15 and 16-19) and children’s (ages 6-12) spa. Avid spa goers must experience the six-hand Lava Stone massage, a service I have never seen offered anywhere else.” Performed by three masseuses, the massage synchronizes deep tissue manipulation with the use of hot lava rocks. She also suggests the Cocoa Butter massage and wrap for a less intense experience. “The cocoa butter will not only leave you smelling great but it will really relieve sun irritation or dehydrated skin. Linda Reist adds that the Grand Wailea “offers family spa programs that provide adults with lomilomi massages, while kids enjoy a chocolate-coconut massage.”
Pam Price, co-author of 100 Best Spas of the World (Globe Pequot Press), easily recommends the Mauna Lani Spa at the Mauna Lani Resort, on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, to her readers. “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 trade winds as you have your spa treatment.” She admires the garden-level spa, which features nine outdoor Hawaiian thatched treatment huts, for its intimacy and authentic essence of Hawaii.
Also rated highly by Price is The Four Seasons at Wailea on the island of Maui. “They have a 110-minute ceremonial lomilomi massage, done outside with meditative dance movement, music and conscious breath—we’re talking two or more therapists here for one spa-goer.”
Another spa Price has enjoyed herself and recommends is one not found in any hotel: a secret delight called the Hawaii Healing Ohana Spa, in Kailua Kona on the Big Island. What makes it so special? “Because the big chains have moved in on Hawaii, some may like this day spa which is actually very nearby the heavyweight hotels,” she explains. Here, Price says, “they formulate their own products from native Hawaiian plants—naturally self-preserving ingredients.” With naturally-sourced products, experienced therapists and good-value prices too, it’s no wonder this spa hideaway will appear in the fourth edition of Price’s spa book, and was named Best Spa 2006 & 2007 by the newspaper West Hawaii Today.
