Nothing like a beach breeze and flowing palm trees to make you relax during a spa treatment. On the Big Island of Hawaii, there are four venues that are unique in their approach, and worth your time to get the ‘aaahhhh’ factor. As our explorations revealed, sometimes bigger is not better as some of the smaller venues have unique services found nowhere else.
Hapuna Prince Hotel Spa
The Hapuna Prince Beach Hotel and resort was built quite a few years ago with great beach access, but not much thought at that time to spa treatments. However, even though space is small, with just a few rooms, the staff is extensively trained and will provide a fabulous massage. In 2018, the hotel will be adding more spa footage so that the spa will have more space but the same great staff.
Hale Ho‘ōla at the Volcano
If your spa experience needs an infusion of local & natural botanicals combined with traditional treatments, then Hale Ho‘ōla at the 4,000-foot mark on the Kilauea volcano provides that unique experience. The beauty of the Volcanoes National Park is just around the corner, and that grandeur spreads to the spa. The Lā‘au Hamo treatment combines massage with plant and flower extracts, which makes this a unique combination. And, with the natural environment, their emphasis on the spiritual aspects of balanced living is in harmony with the surroundings.
Hualalai Spa/Four Seasons
The spa at the Hualalai/Four Seasons is a top-notch experience from check-in to shower. It features great men’s and women’s locker rooms with various wet treatment options besides the massages and facials. You even get Olympic-caliber hot and cold plunge treatments. The massage of choice here is the Lomi Lomi, using rhythmic motions. The spa experts use a variety of ingredients, from black lava salt to crushed macadamia nuts combined with scented oil and botanicals in your treatment for an individualized approach.
Kohala Spa/Hilton Waikoloa Village
The Kohala Spa at the Hilton is massive and includes their athletic facilities as one of the included amenities. Palatial locker rooms and wet areas are available for both men and women. The best option here is the Naupaka White Flower Ritual, which starts with the Awa Root & Ginger foot ritual, then a blend of essential oils slowly applied to scalp and hair. Using local herbs, and more essential oils combined with white lotus flowers are employed in the massage portion.
Neil Wolkodoff is a golf and travel writer from Denver, Colorado. He covers golf, dining, activities and accommodations from the luxury and unique perspective. He has even been golfing with goats.
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10 Comments
Kohala Spa/Hilton Waikoloa Village would get my vote with their scalp treatment. Nothing feels better in this world than ending a full body massage with a scalp massage and hair treatment. It is amazing and you leave feeling so relaxed.
There is nothing better than a good massage. Well, except maybe a good massage next to a beautiful beach with the sound of the ocean in the distance. The Volcanic spa sounds pretty amazing too and in such a beautiful area. I do like keeping my trips as natural as possible, so that one definitely sounds like it would be worth a visit. I always feel like a new woman when I come home from a spa trip.
I have only visited Hawaii once and actually had a lomi lomi massage. To this day it is the best message I have ever had. I am currently looking at honeymoon destinations and am trying to talk my partner into Hawaii. A spa hotel would be ideal.
I have heard a lot about the Four Seasons, however, not being from the US I have never had the pleasure of staying in one – it seems really great however. ‘Olympic-caliber hot and cold plunge treatments’ sound super interesting, but equally as scary! The Hale Ho’ola Volcano spa has definitely caught my attention, I’m attracted to anywhere that’s closeby to a National Park really. Hawaii is certainly on my bucket list, and I’ll be sure to book myself into a luxury spa too!
Spa experiences are the best especially when your in an idyllic location. Really need to book a spa trip to relax and have a massage. I haven’t visited Hawaii yet but after seeing these places I will be!
Love the photos, these places would be ideal for a romantic honeymoon or girlie trip away.
I think I am in very much need of a spa! A well deserved one or even two days somewhere, just by myself or with my girlfriends! We don’t get much time to ourselves and pampering, so you know what? After reading this, I am going to book a spa appointment!
Spa experiences abroad are always so much better than when your at home I guess it is because of the beautiful surroundings and you are already in the right frame of mind to kick back and relax. The lomi lomi massage sounds like one not to be missed.
Kelly, just about every spa treatment in Hawaii seems to raise expectations. MY impression is the setting elevates the experience no matter what the type of treatment.
Hale Ho‘ōla at the Volcano
If your spa experience needs an infusion of local & natural botanicals combined with traditional treatments, then Hale Ho‘ōla at the 4,000-foot mark on the Kilauea volcano provides that unique experience. The beauty of the Volcanoes National Park is just around the corner, and that grandeur spreads to the spa. The Lā‘au Hamo treatment combines massage with plant and flower extracts, which makes this a unique combination. And, with the natural environment, their emphasis on the spiritual aspects of balanced living is in harmony with the surroundings.
Hale Ho‘ōla at the Volcano
If your spa experience needs an infusion of local & natural botanicals combined with traditional treatments, then Hale Ho‘ōla at the 4,000-foot mark on the Kilauea volcano provides that unique experience. The beauty of the Volcanoes National Park is just around the corner, and that grandeur spreads to the spa. The Lā‘au Hamo treatment combines massage with plant and flower extracts, which makes this a unique combination. And, with the natural environment, their emphasis on the spiritual aspects of balanced living is in harmony with the surroundings.
Hualalai Spa/Four Seasons
The spa at the Hualalai/Four Seasons is a top-notch experience from check-in to shower. It features great men’s and women’s locker rooms with various wet treatment options besides the massages and facials. You even get Olympic-caliber hot and cold plunge treatments. The massage of choice here is the Lomi Lomi, using rhythmic motions. The spa experts use a variety of ingredients, from black lava salt to crushed macadamia nuts combined with scented oil and botanicals in your treatment for an individualized approach.
Kohala Spa/Hilton Waikoloa Village
The Kohala Spa at the Hilton is massive and includes their athletic facilities as one of the included amenities. Palatial locker rooms and wet areas are available for both men and women. The best option here is the Naupaka White Flower Ritual, which starts with the Awa Root & Ginger foot ritual, then a blend of essential oils slowly applied to scalp and hair. Using local herbs, and more essential oils combined with white lotus flowers are employed in the massage portion.
Kohala Spa/Hilton Waikoloa Village would get my vote with their scalp treatment. Nothing feels better in this world than ending a full body massage with a scalp massage and hair treatment. It is amazing and you leave feeling so relaxed.
There is nothing better than a good massage. Well, except maybe a good massage next to a beautiful beach with the sound of the ocean in the distance. The Volcanic spa sounds pretty amazing too and in such a beautiful area. I do like keeping my trips as natural as possible, so that one definitely sounds like it would be worth a visit. I always feel like a new woman when I come home from a spa trip.
I have only visited Hawaii once and actually had a lomi lomi massage. To this day it is the best message I have ever had. I am currently looking at honeymoon destinations and am trying to talk my partner into Hawaii. A spa hotel would be ideal.
I have heard a lot about the Four Seasons, however, not being from the US I have never had the pleasure of staying in one – it seems really great however. ‘Olympic-caliber hot and cold plunge treatments’ sound super interesting, but equally as scary! The Hale Ho’ola Volcano spa has definitely caught my attention, I’m attracted to anywhere that’s closeby to a National Park really. Hawaii is certainly on my bucket list, and I’ll be sure to book myself into a luxury spa too!
Spa experiences are the best especially when your in an idyllic location. Really need to book a spa trip to relax and have a massage. I haven’t visited Hawaii yet but after seeing these places I will be!
Love the photos, these places would be ideal for a romantic honeymoon or girlie trip away.
Yes, these are all great locations. And no doubt, the magic of the location heightens the spa experience and results.
I think I am in very much need of a spa! A well deserved one or even two days somewhere, just by myself or with my girlfriends! We don’t get much time to ourselves and pampering, so you know what? After reading this, I am going to book a spa appointment!
Spa experiences abroad are always so much better than when your at home I guess it is because of the beautiful surroundings and you are already in the right frame of mind to kick back and relax. The lomi lomi massage sounds like one not to be missed.
Kelly, just about every spa treatment in Hawaii seems to raise expectations. MY impression is the setting elevates the experience no matter what the type of treatment.
I love Hawaii and Lomi Lomi massages! So beautiful! A great place to visit! ❤