KOHALA COAST, Hawaii -- The 40,000-square-foot Mauna Lani Spa
debuted here at the Mauna Lani Resort this month.
The $4.5 million spa's architecture, treatments and services are
all drawn from the island's history and geography.
Indigenous plants and materials were used in the facility's
landscape, architecture and treatments.
Mauna Lani features 25,000 square feet of indoor space,
including nine treatment rooms, a fitness area, an aerobics studio
and a retail area.
Its outdoor area resembles a Hawaiian village, with nine
thatched huts for treatments, a lava rock sauna, an herb garden and
a "relaxation" pavilion.
The authentic Hawaiian treatments were designed in accordance
with traditional Hawaiian methods and healing practices.
The elements of earth, air, fire and water influence the
signature treatments, which include the Flowering Chakra Bath, a
bath using native tropical flowers that correspond to each of the
body's Chakras (energy centers) to encourage a balanced flow of
energy.
Also on the signature treatment menu is the Ginger Honey Body
Therapy, using honey and ginger-root cultivated on the Big Island.
This treatment is used to stimulate circulation and balance the
body.
Other treatments include LomiLomi, an ancient Hawaiian form of
massage; mud wraps using volcanic ash; hot stone therapies, and
Thalassotherapy with seaweed wraps and baths.
Prices range from $55 for a 50-minute Lava Sauna treatment to
$330 for a 90-minute couples massage.
The Mauna Lani Spa is under the direction of Sylvia Sepielli of
Sylvia Planning And design (SPAd), known in the spa world for her
designs at Mii amo at Enchantment in Sedona, Ariz.; Spa Ojai at
Ojai Valley Inn in Ojai, Calif., and Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea
on Maui.
While SPAd operates spas in Asia, the Mauna Lani Spa is the
first U.S. spa in its roster.
To contact the Mauna Lani Spa, call (808) 881-7922. For details
on the Mauna Lani Resort, call (800) 367-2323 or (808) 885-6622.
The resort can be booked through all CRSs.