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Hawaii Spa Vacations
Hawai`i's resort spas offer a tantalizing array of treatments designed to sooth the mind, body and spirit. Even the most stressed vacationer will return refreshed and relaxed.
Spas help you work more effectively
A new study conducted by Professor Mary H. Tabacchi, Ph.D., of Cornell University, shows that employees who visit a destination spa return to work significantly more energetic, alert and "in the zone” when it comes to business matters as compared to other vacationers.
The 500 destination spa visitors surveyed also found that their decision-making was enhanced and that their ability to handle challenges was markedly improved. So, it's time to follow the doctor's orders and head directly to Hawai`i for some of the best destination spas available.
After a $5 million renovation the first Westin-branded spa, The Spa at The Westin Maui, opened in April 2004. "It's very exciting for us," said Bridgette Okamoto, public relations manager for the resort. "We just had a small spa before, and now we have 16 treatment rooms. It's the resort spa that people are looking for."
The Spa partnered with the Maui Lavender Farm to create its signature offerings that include the Lavender Body Butter Treatment, the Lavender "Kai ina” Aloha Cocoon, and the Helani (heavenly) Aroma Lavender Glow. Okamoto decided to experience the spa's pohaku (hot stone) massage for herself. Her masseuse, who had been trained by a Hawaiian kapuna (elder), concluded the treatment by giving Okamoto a special Hawaiian blessing. "I've had massages before, but never anything like this. It was phenomenal,” she said. "I was smiling for hours.”
For Women, Men and Couples
The new 14,000 square foot spa also features an open-air yoga and fitness studio, luxurious men's and women's locker rooms and a lounge where guests can relax and gaze out at the ocean asthey sip ginger lavender lemonade. There are also two candlelit rooms, each complete with a whirlpool tub, reserved for couples' massages.
Over on the Big Island, Kona Village Resort also caters to the needs of families. The 82-acre upscale resort features 125 thatched-roof hales (bungalows) set along the beach and around the edge of a lagoon. "It's a village that people can bring their kids to," said Laurence Mountcastle, Director of Sales & Marketing. "They can take part in activities and find other kids to play with. Parents feel comfortable that the kids can have the freedom to move about."
The luxurious new Spa Hotel Hana-Maui opened in February of this year. It brings to life the kind of secluded tropical paradise that most people only dream about. Tucked away on Maui's quiet Western coast in the tiny town of Hana, the spa offers nine treatment rooms, five of which are spacious suites that have their own baths, sitting areas and private gardens. The spa's signature aromatherapy treatments utilize Honua, a unique blend of vanilla orchid, awapuhi and other essential oils to provide a sensory experience that represents the earth's nurturing powers. This special oil blend is also used in the spa's "Honua Rainforest Mist Facial and Massage," a Spa Hotel Hana-Maui exclusive that combines a facial, massage and reflexology treatments into one rejuvenating 60 or 90 minute session.
Spa Hana-Maui also offers a treatment called "Aquatic Renewal." Guests enter a special Watsu pool that has been heated to body temperature and are then gently guided through a series of therapeutic movements that help relieve stress and tension. The virtually weightless feeling of being suspended in water allows participants to enjoy beneficial stretches and other movements that would not be possible on land. Experts say that the only way to fully understand and appreciate the therapeutic powers of a Watsu pool is to experience one yourself, as words alone cannot describe its physical and emotional benefits.
Kids and Teens too!
If you're thinking that spas are an "adults only" activity, think again. The Hyatt Regency Maui's Spa Moana offers several fun spa packages for kids and teens. For budding starlets, there's the "Movie Star Package" that includes a mini facial, glitter princess make up and a temporary fairy tattoo along with a manicure and pedicure. If that's a little too tame, there's the "Rock Star Package” that gives little divas an airbrush manicure, spray on hair color, a toe ring or temporary tattoo and pedicure. Yoga classes for kids and "Glow Girl" teen facials are also offered, and what little girl could resist an M&M manicure? Kids and teens can choose to receive their favorite treatments in the spa or in an oceanfront cabana.
Spa enthusiasts should forget the salad bar and head to the new Scrub Bar at Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui. The offerings here sound good enough to eat (or drink). Imagine starting your day with an energizing Coffee Scrub that detoxifies and cleanses your skin with a combination of fresh ground Kona Coffee, raw Maui Turbinado Sugar and Orange Honey Cream. Looking for something a little more relaxing? Try the Lavender and Honey Scrub, a treatment that combines Lavender Sugar and Lavender Honey to relieve stress and anxiety. A detoxifying Citrus Scrub, a balancing Sandalwood Scrub and a Grounding Pine Rosemary Scrub round out the Scrub Bar's offerings. Each exfoliating treatment lasts 25 minutes, and guests can enjoy a blissful hour of hydrotherapy treatment prior to their scrub.
The designers of Spa Luana at the Turtle Bay Resort on O`ahu's North Shore have gone the extra mile to make sure guests feel right at home. The resort has a special "spa wing” with its own elevator so guests can simply wear their robes back to their rooms after enjoying the spa's services. As another welcome perk, the room service menu in this wing offers a selection of spa cuisine. After enjoying a Hawaiian sea salt scrub, papaya body polish or limu (seaweed) wrap, guests can relax in their rooms and order specialties such as Seared Hawaiian Snapper over Corn Risotto with Shitake Mushrooms, or an Organic Pear Tart with Honey Lavender Ice Cream.
Spa-goers who are having trouble narrowing down their choices from the extensive selection of spa services available may just want to head straight to the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island. The resort offers a full day of continuous pampering called the Mauna Lani Hawaiian Experience. The session, which lasts from 7-8 hours, includes full use of spa facilities along with a variety of specialized treatments such as a stone therapy massage and lava sauna. Also included are two of the resort's most unique signature services: the Lomilomi Hula Massage and the Hula Facial. Each of these relaxing treatments is gracefully choreographed to Hawaiian music. Of course, a lunch of spa cuisine is included, and the finishing touch is a manicure and pedicure with the guest's choice of Cocanilla (coconut and vanilla bean) or Ginger Honey hand and foot treatments.
In addition to massages, facials, scrubs and saunas, many of Hawai`i's destination spas offer a host of other services designed to make their guests look and feel good. Guests at the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island can even get a ready-made tan. All they have to do is request a "Body Glow” sunless tan to get that sun-kissed look before they ever.
When requesting a rate quote please note which resorts interest you or if you are not sure, please check the Hawaii section and see if you can narrow it down.
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