How can you possibly make a Maui experience any better? Well, Maui itself is so terrific that it's a hard act to follow, but a spa treatment can definitely add some zest and zip to your trip. Especially at these lovely spas. Take a look.
I crave cloves and the smell of pumpkin. I found myself in spice heaven when I experienced the pumpkin facial at The Spa at Black Rock at the Sheraton Maui. This adorable little spa has a wealth of wonderful things going for it, the first being that it offers a signature line of Absolutely Natural spa products that are created specifically for the spa. This is a gorgeous line offering chemical-free suncare, organic spa products and sulfate-free haircare, among other things.
My facial here included a variety of Phytomer and Absolutely Natural products; it featured cleansing, spritz with rose toner, steam, Clarisonic and the Head to Toe Pumpkin Peel containing 30 percent glycolic acid. "It takes away pigmentation and helps your skin to have better absorption of products," said my esthetician, Cheri Smith.
Then came a facial massage and a fantastic application of Absolutely Natural's poha berry mask – the smell was delightful. Next came the serum and eye cream, a foot massage and finally, the best part of any facial, the scalp massage. Usually priced from $130-$160, this facial was specially priced for just $99. A steal!
The Spa Helani
Who doesn't love a Top Ten Spa? The Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin, was recently named one of the Top 10 Favorite New Getaway Spas, in SpaFinder's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards. This 12,000-square-foot heavenly haven offers The Full Monty of massages, body treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures in 13 treatment rooms, all situated at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas.
I love that its retail shop carries locally made Hawaiian products by Malie (made on Kauai) and Ola (made on The Big Island), as well as Nani sulfate-free haircare from Oahu. Spa Helani's motto is, "Restore the body, expand the mind," and a visit here will do just that. If you're worried about getting older, try the Botinol, the spa's signature anti-aging treatment that combines five peptides including Matrixyl, Myoxinol, Argireline and Retinol, to mask the signs of aging.
If you're on your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary or just looking to do something romantic, take an instructional massage lesson to learn basic techniques, followed by a special bath. Now, go soak it up together!
The Spa Moana
The Spa Moana at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa is Maui's only oceanfront spa and you'll love every treatment at this luxurious location. Here, I enjoyed the Vitamin C facial, which incorporated two product lines that I'm crazy about: Epicuren (a cult, word-of-mouth favorite of A-list celebrities) and Ilike, an organic line from Hungary.
My treatment included Ilike's rose cleansing mist and nettle wash, which was administered with a Clarisonic; its soft, gentle brush oscillates back and forth more than 300 times per second, allowing products to be better absorbed into the skin. Next came one of my favorites – Ilike's stonecrop toner, with a delicious, succulent scent.
After that my esthetician, Cindy, gave me a five-minute yogurt peel, followed by application of Ilike's carrot cream. More Ilike followed: eye cream with St. John's Wort and lip balm and rosehip serum, along with Epicuren's Xtreme cream. No wonder everyone thought I was an A-list celebrity when I left! Can you say, "Nicole Kidman?"
Spa Kea Lani
At the Spa Kea Lani at Fairmont Kea Lani, I loved the new Ola Sugar Scrub treatment ($140 for 50 minutes), administered by Joni, my esthetician. The aromatic adventure, using Ola products from Hilo on The Big Island of Hawaii, started with Ola face and body mist in coconut lemongrass. It was followed by the sugar scrub in the same flavor and a light massage with oil.
The entire experience was invigorating, yet relaxing. I felt warm (especially with hot towels around my feet) and cold, as it all was so enticing it gave me the chills. It was two, two, two treatments in one. And when Larry Carlton's famous tune, "Sleepwalking" came on, the music made the experience all the more exhilarating.
When finished, my little body was smooth as silk. The Spa Kea Lani also features a new Quiet Area outfitted with beautiful couches, soft music, warm lighting and candles. The retail area is great. You'll find products by all the top names, including Skinceuticals, Kerstin Florian, Ola, Lucy b (from Australia), Epicuren and Jane Iredale.
Here's an idea: Have a facial here and then walk a few steps right over to the Juvenal Hair Salon to get your hair done. After that you'll be all set for dinner on property at Nick's Fishmarket; and you'll steal the show.
