On the island of Oahu, health and wellness awareness has increased over recent years, and with that, the number of spas has increased. With a dozen spas to choose from, Oahu offers a spectrum of treatments and experiences to satisfy anybody’s needs.
Oahu’s spas allow visitors to experience the ancient techniques of Hawaiian healing. The traditional healing philosophies and practices of the Hawaiians, from herbal healing to massage, complement Western science and can accelerate wellness. Traditional healers say successful treatment stems in large part from a patient’s spirituality and use of a number of techniques including lomilomi massage, which stimulates the circulatory, muscular and nervous systems.
The unique treatments offered by many of Oahu’s spas use Hawaiian plants such as kalo, awa, noni, and kukui, as well as Hawaiian sea salt, kukui nut oil and tropical fruits to relax and unwind. Visitors can relax with a soothing hot lava rock massage, lomilomi massage and other unique treatments created to rejuvenate the body and spirit.
Each spa offers a variety of treatments that will enhance and invigorate any Hawaiian vacation. Below are highlights of spas on Oahu:
SpaHalekulani – Halekulani Hotel
SpaHalekulani opened its doors on April 1, 2003 as an innovative and soothing spa that promises a cultural, emotional and spiritual journey to uncover the mystical cultures of Asia, Hawaii and the South Pacific. Designed by renowned spa designer Sylvia Sepielli, SpaHalekulani explores the healing traditions of Hawaii’s diverse cultures, especially those from Pacific Islands such as Samoa,
Tonga and Tahiti. The spa offers guests a full menu of services that are inspired by Hawaii’s diverse heritage. For a unique experience, the Polynesian Nonu incorporates Samoan massage techniques using stones and noni (Tahitian fruit).
Phone: (808) 923-2311
www.halekulani.com
Spa Luana – Turtle Bay Resort
Spa Luana at the Turtle Bay Resort offers a healing haven to complement an array of outdoor and water-related activities on the North Shore of Oahu. Presented as an intimate, full-service facility, Spa Luana offers various services that allow guests to take time away from everyday life and nurture their physical, mental, and spiritual selves. Spa Luana’s customized treatments include the lomilomi massage and ti leaf wrap.
Phone: (808) 447-6868
www.turtlebayresort.com
SpaSuites – Kahala Hotel and Resort
SpaSuites provides guests with a personal and private experience in the luxury of their very own residential-style suite. Each suite features a personal relaxation area, a changing room, a private shower, a signature infinity-edged soaking bath, and a landscaped courtyard of Native Hawaiian flora. In collaboration with the resort, internationally renowned spa consultant ESPA (Education Spa) has developed a series of innovative and restorative treatments inspired by the elements of life, embracing Hawaiian culture and traditional therapies. One of their signature treatments, “Momo,” includes a fresh ti leaf body wrap, a specialized scalp and face massage using awa, ti flower essences and cool volcanic river forged stones, and a reviving all-over body moisturizing.
Phone: (808) 739-8888
www.kahalaresort.com
Ihilani Spa – JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
Ihilani Spa utilizes natural ingredients from the islands in an array of invigorating services including a cool ti leaf wrap, scrub bar therapies and men’s salt scrub and water massage. In addition to energizing health and fitness programs, rejuvenating massage therapies, restorative finishing touches and other spa services, half day and full day programs are offered, such as the Ihilani Signature Treatment that includes a relaxing soak with rose crystals in the hydrotub, followed by a 25-minute body scrub, Aromatherapy Massage using “Pua Kai” aromatherapy oil, the Spa’s signature manicure and pedicure, and lunch from the Spa Cuisine menu.
Phone: (808) 679-3321
www.ihilani.com
Na Hoola Spa – Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa
Na Hoola in Hawaiian means “many healers.” Na Hoola Spa helps heal the body and spirit by incorporating many of the values, beliefs and philosophies of the Hawaiian culture in its full service spa. Walls of glass offer views of the soothing Pacific Ocean and the Na Pohaku Ola O Kapaemahu A Kapuni (the stones of life) making Na Hoola an oasis of tranquility. Many treatments utilize natural Hawaiian ingredients such as kukui, awa, ti leaf, and kalo, as well as seaweed and sea salt to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.
Phone: (808) 923-1234
waikiki.hyatt.com
Mandara Spa – Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
The name “Mandara” comes from an ancient Sanskrit legend about the gods’ quest to find the elixir of immortality and eternal youth. Mandara Spa, originating in Bali, has embraced this legend. The Spa incorporates Hawaiian, Asian, Western, and Polynesian beauty and relaxation concepts: exquisite Balinese-style service; Asian spices and oils for masques, wraps, and other treatments; massage styles from Swedish to Hawaiian lomilomi; and Mandara’s trademark service. For couples, “An Exploration in Chocolate” treatment starts with side-by-side massages in a twin spa suite, followed by applications of chocolate macadamia nut exfoliation scrub, and ending with an aromatic bath.
Phone: (808) 945-7721
www.mandaraspa.com
Paul Brown’s Spa Olakino Salon – Waikiki Beach Marriott
The 6,000-square foot full service spa was created and managed by world-renowned hairstylist, Paul Brown. The world-class spa is located on the second floor of Kealohilani Tower and overlooks Waikiki Beach. Hawaiian spirulina, Kona coffee beans, awa and other exotic plants and fruits are blended and concocted on location and lathered on as a body spa treatment.
Phone: (808) 924-2121
www.spaolakino.com
Serenity Spa Hawaii – Outrigger Reef on the Beach
The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is located on an ancient Hawaiian site where healing rituals took place in the 18th century. Serenity Spa Hawaii & Rejuvenation Center utilizes local and traditional treatments such as lomilomi massage, hot lava rock massage, manicures, pedicures, Vichy showers and aesthetics. Serenity will pamper you with exotic tropical oils, plant extracts and essential oils to help you literally feel the true spirit of aloha.
Phone: (808) 926-2882
www.serenityspahawaii.com
The Lomi Shop
Lomilomi is the ancient practice of healing which incorporates mind and body. At The Lomi Shop the massage therapists receive mandatory training by a kumu (Hawaiian teacher) before they receive their license to practice. Treatments range from a ten-minute seated lomi or foot lomi to an hour full-body massage.
Phone: (808) 234-5664 Koolau Shopping Center
www.lomi.com
Abhasa Spa – The Royal Hawaiian
Nestled within the “Pink Palace,” the abhasa Spa offers a variety of unique services, such as the Ola Honua cocoon treatment in which thousand-year-old moor mud is applied to the body before it is
wrapped and lowered into an ultra-comfortable, nicely heated envelopment bed. Other treatments include the pohaku (hot stone) massage and the lomilomi massage.
Phone: (808) 922-8200
www.abhasa.com
From lomilomi massage and hot lava rock massage to a chocolate macadamia nut massage for two, Oahu’s spas offer remedies for relaxation and rejuvenation for every kind of traveler.
Resource
Hawaii Tourism Authority / Oahu Visitor's Bureau / July 21, 2010
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