Kapalua, Hawaii is a fabulous luxury resort destination with two spas – The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua, and the brand new Kapalua Spa. Both offer luxurious, Hawaii-infused treatments and elegant, relaxing environs; let’s get down to the compare-and-contrast so you know which one is right for you.
The Kapalua Spa (above) was designed by renowned spa expert (and totally groovy lady) Silvia Sepielli, who has been responsible for the relaxation and rejuvenation of countless souls since she started in fitness centers in the 80s. One of the things she wanted to do with the Kapalua Spa was make it part of, not separate from, your experience of the beauty of Hawaii. “We want it to feel like you’re in a beach house, so you don’t feel like you missed out on being outside,” she said. The treatment rooms are very private, of course, but there are many open walls and ceilings in the spa which keep you feeling that you are outdoors even when you’re mostly inside. And the views are spectacular. The spa features a really lovely infinity pool, fuzzy, pale gold robes, and follows a butterfly (the symbol for Kapalua) theme — including treatments like “body cocoons” instead of “wraps.” The treatments are distinctly Hawaiian, and incorporate lomi lomi (like Swedish massage, but with lots of forearm action) and local ingredients. My recommendation is the Awa & Cacao Lomi Wrap. A fellow guest of the spa told me, “I think that’s the best thing my body has ever felt.” They wrap you in chocolate, basically, and your body goes “Ahhhh” as it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. Click here for the Kapalua Spa menu.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua (above) incorporates lovely touches like petroglyphs in the jacuzzi room, heated robe-warmers in the treatment rooms, and has head-to-toe treatments you can experience without even leaving the hotel, if you happen to be lucky enough to stay there. I had a hot stone massage here — which feels exactly like being washed with hot bar soap — and I heard from the other guests that no one was disappointed. The theme of this spa is rain, and from the waiting room to the treatments, the sensation of ua (rain, aka “water that has not touched the earth”) resonates. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Kapalua is a little more traditional than the Kapalua Spa and features much of the traditional fare you’re used to seeing; click here for the menu.
Personally, my pick is the Kapalua Spa (largely and shallowly because I think its innovative design is prettier; check out more photos below); but I’d recommend you check out both spa menus and choose whatever sounds the most exciting! relaxing.
Photos by Annie Scott.