Review: Kilolani Spa at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Why go?

As Hawaii moves more organically into a wellness space, with dedicated retreats such as Sensei Lanai, Kilolani at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, opens as an impressive, and very large, new offering that combines one of Maui’s iconic retreats with possibly the most thoughtfully Hawaiian approach to wellness anywhere in the state. If you want to learn about local culture and heritage and leave feeling a million bucks, this is the spa for you.

Set the scene

There are certain places on earth that you simply never want to leave, regardless of what’s promised behind another door. The tropical landscaped grounds with views across the dreamy blue of the Pacific Ocean at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui, is one such place. But the team at the new Kilolani spa knows that. Treatment and relaxation rooms face the ocean, open air hydrobaths mean you still catch the Bird-of-Paradise-scented breeze and bananas plucked from the trees onsite are offered as pre-treatment snacks. In other words, this spa becomes an extension of, rather than escape from, the destination. Following cultural appropriateness, the retreat is divided into feminine and masculine spaces, Ku (for males) and Hine (for females) meaning each wing has dedicated amenities for different sets of guests which helps the space never feel crowded. A trained set of attendants intuitively appear at each stage of your journey to easily guide you through the spaces and help with whatever the need, should it be a robe, hydrating cup of water after the sauna or guidance on how to find the stairs to the treatment wing.

What's the backstory?

The $55 million spa is so drastically different in concept, scope, size and design that Kilolani is not simply a renovation on Grand Wailea’s previous spa, which felt like a nice idea should you get rained off the beach, but a new proposition entirely that would have you prioritizing a spa day as one might a hike in the Waihe’e Ridge or driving the Road to Hana. And Grand Wailea knew to match outsized ambition with outsized talent. Adam Tihany’s legendary Tihany Design firm, who know a thing or two about designing large-scale functionality you actually want to be in from their work with leading cruise lines like Seabourn, was brought in to shape the 50,000 square feet into a tranquil, fluid space that pulls influence from the surrounding islands. The visionary TLEE Spa and Wellness, known for turning hotel spas into veritable destination wellness centers in places such as The Ritz Carlton Reserve, Zadun in Mexico, and Auberge Stanley Ranch in California, crafted programming. But the retreat was careful to necessarily ensure local voices and practitioners were involved every step of the way. The resort’s supremely knowledgeable cultural director, Kalei ‘Uwēko‘olani, herself a local whose job, as she tells it, is “to make sure that Aloha lives,” was involved throughout the process, from reviewing the treatments to considering the appropriate chants that may play when guests first walk into the space.

What’s the wellness concept?

Kilolani is the Hawaiian word for the stargazers, those who were inspired by the heavens. It is an appropriate name, therefore, for a spa whose wellness concept centers around Hawaii’s three lunar phases. In Anahulu Ho’Onui, the first phase, there is a focus on new beginnings and self-discovery; With Anahulu Poepoe, phase two, it's about fortifying and clarifying. During Anahulu Ho Emi, the third and final phase, the focus is diminishing, surrendering and reflecting. When Hoku, or the full moon appears, there are plans to conduct spa treatments outside by moonlight. Every ten days, programming changes with the phases, which includes different treatments and essential oils designed to increase wellness results based on natural rhythms. The oils are crafted by a woman on the island named Loleilani who grows plants specific to the lunar cycles. With the effect the moon’s pull has on the ocean and the tides, water is a key component here and the hydrotherapy chambers are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Intentionally, you can see or hear water from every space in the spa; Wailea means ‘Water of Lea’ and Lea is the goddess of water in Hawaiian culture.

This is not a medical spa, but rather a feel-good, smartly programmed pampering spa that feels like you are getting more than a facial or massage, but rather a considered, wellness-focused immersion in certain aspects of Hawaiian culture.

Is there a nutrition concept?

This is not a medical spa and therefore there is no nutrition concept, but healthful snacks like fruit grown on property and nuts are available in the changing spaces, hydrotherapy zone and the relaxation rooms.

Was there a standout treatment?

The menu is loaded with thoughtful treatments that range from scrubs to massages to facials. I thoroughly enjoyed the sound bath, performed by Maui Sound Healers with an assortment of instruments including a didgeridoo, gongs and crystal balls. It is held outside the spa in the resort’s onsite wooden chapel where the acoustics are fantastic. After 90 minutes you emerge feeling more than just a little stoned. Though if you book one knock out treatment i would make it the two-hour Kilolani signature massage which begins with a scrub infused with botanicals depending on the moon cycle (mine was lemongrass pegged to phase three, to help wind down) and finished with an essential-oil infused full body massage. Honorable mention would go to the superfood facial, which used local uzu, pineapples and plums to plump up and energize skin. I didn’t try it, but I imagine the extensive After Sun Treatment which promotes healing and hydration, will prove to be a hit, too.

How was/were your therapist(s)?

Therapists were excellent, and well-trained; when one masseuse noticed my body not responding the way she would have liked to a hot stone massage she switched it up without a hitch to deep tissue (and oh man am I glad she did). Many were therapists from the spa’s first iteration and re-trained for this new programming by local medicinal practitioners at the island’s pre-eminent Ho’Omana Spa which specialized in Native Hawaiian wellness teachings.. They are from all over the world, including France, California and Brazil.

What else do they offer?

The spa is meant to have something of a halo effect on the resort as a whole. More local grown foods are being used on the resort menus. Wellness bars are planned to be added to the resort’s premier Napua Towers. There is of course a terrific onsite gym which spans many levels and has everything from yoga mats to peloton bikes. Each morning, simply fantastic sunrise yoga is offered on the beach.

What’s the space like?

The space is textured and varied, designed like an extension of a variety of natural environments. The entrance is earthen toned and spacious, evoking meadows. As you move into the changing rooms, a mountain of sea salt stands in a blackened space designed to telegraph the moon in the night sky. Natural materials and patterns abound throughout. Though the spaces all feel different, they work together harmoniously. The hydrotherapy is partly open air, which allows the natural soundtrack of the resort’s luscious 44-acre grounds to carry through the air and drenched in natural sunlight. The upstairs waiting reception is also open walled, letting the natural elements in. The 40 treatment rooms are dimly lit (except for certain spaces that look out, rather brightly, to the Pacific Ocean though I heard that helps with facials). No matter where you are, the space is calming.

Eco/sustainability efforts

The spa is dedicated to spotlighting traditional Hawaiian-inspired treatments and local ingredients. Certain medicinal plants grown on the property will be incorporated into oils and treatments going forward as will some of the honey from the resort's six hives. All the plants used in each oil are grown on the property.

Accessibility

There are ramps to help guests into the changing rooms and hydrotherapy baths as well as elevators to take guests upstairs to the treatment rooms.

Anything else to mention?

As Oweko’olani mentioned to me, “I will not let something happen that is not aligned to our culture.” Kilolani Spa is a very well done wellness destination that clearly cares about making sure Hawaii is respected while ensuring the modern traveler gets the best possible care. If my review has not made it clear enough, definitely show up for your treatment at least one hour early to use the hydro therapy which has saunas, hot pools, cold plunges, hammams and more.

Final word

The Kilolani Spa is a respectful representation of Hawaiian wellness that will knock the socks off of even the most well-versed spa guests. It is a fresh reason to return to Maui’s iconic Grand Wailea - or even to check it out for the first time.