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    Travel: Enjoy spa splurges in Maui’s resplendent Wailea
    • March 13, 2024

    “Sheer bliss”: these were the only words I could muster after a sublime 90-minute “awa” couples treatment at the Willow Stream spa in Maui’s Wailea resort region. Inside this elegant retreat in the luxurious Fairmont Kea Lani, two expert massage therapists gently kneaded our travel weary muscles using traditional native Hawaiian techniques and locally made spa scents, oils and scrubs that left us with an inner glow that lasted for days.

    There are five luxurious resorts in South Maui’s Wailea region offering extensive spa and wellness centers, and this sun-kissed coast has become a prime destination for Hawaii travelers seeking exceptional spa splurges.  These seaside retreats offer a wide menu of treatments, including traditional Hawaiian lomi lomi (healing hands) massage and pohaku massage, which uses heated lava rock and Himalayan salt stones paired with healing botanical oil blends.

    The men’s spa at Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Kea Lani features relaxation chaises. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    After several days of pool and beach lounging, ocean swimming, island sight-seeing and long coastal  hikes, my wife and I were more than ready to treat ourselves to the Willow Stream spa regimens. After enjoying a sauna and steam room in separate mens’ and womens’ facilities, we donned white robes and were escorted to a subtly lit, mood music-enhanced treatment room. It was instantly peaceful and calming.

    Our side-by-side, full body massage treatment began with a 30-minute exfoliation using a Maui cane sugar-citrus scrub and was followed by an hourlong massage using a special “awa” (also known as “kava”) salve.  After our session was over, we walked back into the world with a newfound sense of relaxation, wellness and, of course, smelling like a tropical bouquet.

    A tray featuring Maui citrus scrub and “awa” (kava) salve is shown at Willow Stream Spa. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    Ready to hit the spa? Here are our recommendations for Wailea’s most sensational spa offerings:

    ‘Awili Spa & Salon, Andaz Maui at Wailea

    ‘Awili specializes in creating customized treatments designed with personal wellness goals in mind.  All 90-minute body treatments include a 30- minute full body massage. Choices include “WRAP” —a heated hibiscus, kelp and clay mask wraps your body in a warm cocoon to detox and purify,  “QUENCH” — a hydrating and firming Vitamin C body polish and antioxidant rich vitamin C mask to moisturize and revitalize dull, dry skin, or “EXFOLIATE”, which uses locally made sugar scrub and hydrating body butter to renew dull, dry skin.

    For a super spa splurge, try the all-inclusive “UNITE” five-hour treatment where couples unwind in a private ocean view spa suite. A detoxifying hibiscus clay body wrap is followed by a choice of Hawaiian aromatherapy treatments and personalised massages. Afterward, spa guests enjoy an included ppolside lunch in a private cabana and head to the nail salon for manicures and pedicures with an ocean view. Details: hyatt.com/en-US/spas/Awili-Spa-and-Salon/home

    Après spa: Andaz has two excellent restaurants, Ka’ana Kitchens and Morimoto Maui, but the best post-spa dining treat is the resort’s Feast at Mokapu luau, set on the resort’s grassy lawn overlooking the shores of Mokapu Beach. While enjoying interactive storytelling and hula perfomances, guests can indulge in an ohana-style meal of 15 locally inspired dishes. Luau prices: adults: $340, children $180. Details: feastatmokapu.com

    Kilolani Spa, Grand Wailea

    Kilolani Spa at the sprawling Grand Wailea resort opened on Feb. 28. The $55 million, 50,000-square foot facility focuses on the kaulana mahina (Hawaiian moon) calendar’s core concepts, featuring a holistic approach to wellness with treatments steeped in traditional Hawaiian practices. Details: spa.grandwailea.com

    Drawing inspiration from the kaulana mahina — the Hawaiian moon calendar — which divides each month into three helu po or moon phases, Kilolani creates space for healing, rejuvenation and restoration and encompasses forty treatment rooms, including couples’ treatment suites, a meditation lounge, reflection lounge, halotherapy-infused infrared saunas and hydrothermal gardens.

    The spa features hand-selected native botanicals, holistic bodywork treatments, and mindfulness practices. Treatments range from Hawaiian beauty facials to traditional massages such as lomi pohaku (hot stone treatment and massage), lomilomi (healing hands) and ho’omalie (pohaku and lomilomi combined) massage.

    Après-spa: Botero Lounge offers craft cocktails, fresh sushi and a range of inventive dishes amid nine larger-than-life sculptures by the late renowned artist Fernando Botero, the namesake of this signature lounge in the heart of the Grand Wailea’s open-air lobby.

    For a fabulous fine dining experience in a lagoon-side setting, check out the resort’s Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (named after a type of local fish) restaurant, known for its extensive seafood menu.

    Olakino Wellness Experience & Mandara Spa, Wailea Beach Resort-Marriott

    Olakino, Wailea Beach Resort’s newest pool destination, is an adults-only wellness experience. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    Wailea Beach Resort’s newest pool destination, Olakino, is an adults-only wellness experience, designed to relax and rejuvenate mind, body, and soul. The exclusive experience includes culinary refreshments and 10-minute “mini-massages” in a private poolside setting. The small infinity saline pool has ocean views, in-water chaise lounges, shaded loungers, double daybeds, and luxury cabanas. Details: marriott.com

    A green juice smoothie welcome drink and mineral water are served poolside at Olakino Wellness Pool, Wailea Beach Resort. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    There are four themed areas of focus at Olakino: La’i (tranquil, harmony) promotes a sense of calm and peace designed to settle mind and body into a tranquil state. Ala (awaken) rejuvenates bodily senses with invigorating and intentional movement workshops. A’o (to acquire knowledge) seeks “to delve into healing arts and cultural traditions from wellness practitioners and teachers.” And Konea (restored) focuses on guided fluid movement practices to restore overall wellbeing. As part of the all-day Olakino experience, guests savor chef-curated offerings like wagyu skewers and locally sourced farm-fresh salad bowls. Poolside cabana massage treatments, including sound therapy using brass “singing” bowls from Nepal, for singles and couples are available by reservation.

    Luxury cabanas are among the amenities offered at Wailea Beach Resort’s Olakino Wellness Experience. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    The Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa inside the Wailea Beach Resort’s lobby level aims to embody the island’s natural beauty and sense of aloha. Overlooking the ocean, Molokini crater, and the island of Kaho`olawe, the 9,153-square feet facility features eleven treatment rooms (some ocean view single treatment rooms) and deluxe couple’s suites for body treatments and massages. A relaxation area, steam room, lockers, and showers are located in the center of the spa and are separated for men and women.

    A masseuse provides a “mini massage” to a guest at Wailea Beach Resort. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    Their signature facial treatment starts with a deep cleansing, exfoliation and extractions ands finishes with a hand, arm, and scalp massage and an application of a signature beauty oil. Massage treatments include a “Fire & Ice” massage using heated basalt stone complemented by ice-cool gels to gently detoxify the body, alleviate stress and ease aching muscles.

    The Wailea Beach Resort’s Olakino Wellness Pool features a waterfall. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    A coconut poultice massage uses coconut compresses, warmed to to release natural emollients rich in Vitamins E and K, to nourish and moisturize the skin. The poultices are then applied to pressure points to relax muscles and release tension. Other massage offerings include traditional Balinese, Hawaiian body scrub, lomi lomi and ku’uipo (couples), Thai and reiki (Japanese) treatments.

    Après-spa: Satisfy post-spa hunger at Humble Market Kitchin by Roy Yamaguchi, the resort’s signature restaurant. Savor Hawaiian-inspired fare in an airy restaurant with panoramic beach and ocean views.

    Maui Spa, Four Seasons Maui

    Maui Spa offers a variety of massage techniques from traditional Hawaiian to Swedish to Lymph drainage and sleep well treatments. Not to miss are the two signature Hawaiian treatments: the lomi pohaku (Hawaiian stones) massage, and lomi mohala using an exclusive herbal oil blend that melts away tension with rhythmic forearm strokes, allowing a feeling of mohala or “heart opening.” The treatment concludes with a foot scrub using a locally made organic ginger-turmeric salve. Details: www.fourseasons.com/maui/spa

    Après-spa: Ferraro’s Restaurant & Bar has a stunning oceanfront dining setting, perfect for enjoying coastal Italian cuisine under the Hawaiian heavens.

    Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Kea Lani

    This is the men’s sauna at Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui. (Photo by Ben Davidson Photography)

    The womens’ (wahine) side has three special showers to enjoy before your spa treament:  ua noe (morning mist), ua naulu (afternoon rain), ua hekili (evening storm). The men’s side (kane) features a wai Huihui (cool down) and ua loku (power) showers.

    Après-spa: The fabulous new Pilina (meaning “connections” in native Hawaiian) features the longest oceanfront bar in Wailea. The breezy, open-air interior features custom-made furnishings, some of it made from gorgeous Hawaiian monkeypod and koa wood. It’s a great place to watch sunset and enjoy aina-driven cocktails made with Hawaii-made made spirits, such as a custom rum blend from Hawaii Island’s Kuleana Distilling, a golden ale from Maui Brewing Company, plus additions such as bee pollen from the Hawaii Island and lavender from upcounty Maui. Island-fresh seafood and sushi offerings include ahi seared on a hot river rock.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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