Hawaii Spa Guide: The Best Spas in Honolulu
[Photo by Alisa Matthews]
The capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is a bustling metropolis located on the south shore of Oahu, the third largest island in the state. The cosmopolitan destination combines the fast-paced excitement of city life with the relaxed vibe of the islands.
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Honolulu is a modern city with world-class restaurants, high-end hotels, renowned shopping, nightlife, outdoor activities, and entertainment. At the same time, it is also a historic place with many cultural sites including museums and monuments such as The Bishop Museum and ‘Iolani Palace that pay tribute to Hawaii’s past.
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Many visitors and Hawaii residents come to Honolulu to relax and indulge in some self-care at the city’s numerous spas. From luxury hotels and resorts to intimate boutique day spas, there are a wide variety of options to choose from in the city that is often affectionately referred to as “The Big Pineapple.”
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Read on to discover the best spas in Honolulu in our Hawaii Spa Guide. For more information about spas on other Hawaiian islands, click here.
If you’re looking for the best deals on flights to Hawaii, click here.
Abhasa Waikiki Spa at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
2259 Kalakaua Avenue, #1-A, Honolulu, HI 96815; (808) 922-8200
The world-famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel (also known as “The Pink Palace of the Pacific”) is home to Abhasa Waikiki Spa, which offers luxurious spa services in the hotel’s lush Royal Grove Courtyard. In Sanskrit, “Abhasa” means “illusion,” and Abhasa Spa is known for being the only spa in Honolulu that offers spa treatments in a tropical garden setting.
Spa Profile: Abhasa Waikiki Spa at The Royal Hawaiian
Spa amenities include a steam room and jacuzzi, relaxation lounges for men and women, and showers. After relaxing and enjoying the amenities, guests receive their spa services in tropical outdoor garden cabanas. The spa offers luxurious spa treatments, experiences, and packages including the Po’okela Package—a 210-minute service that includes a Lomi Lomi Massage, Tropical Facial, and Royal Exfoliation treatment.
Spa treatments like the Hawaiian Organic Spa Experience incorporates local ingredients from Hawaii such as Hawaiian honey, passion fruit, and organic extra virgin coconut oil, which help to rejuvenate the body. Fun fact: Abhasa Spa is the only spa in Waikiki that offers massage classes as part of its Abhasa Academy.
The Kahala Spa at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, HI 94515; 1 (800) 367-2525
With nine calm and serene treatment rooms that each have a private relaxation area, glass shower, changing area, closet, and deep soaking tub, The Kahala Spa has everything you need to enjoy the ultimate relaxing spa day. The spa is located at The Kahala Hotel & Resort and has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Forbes Four-Star Star Award.
The Kahala Spa incorporates traditional and local Hawaiian ingredients into its healing and relaxing therapies to help guests unwind during their visit. The spa’s therapists are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in different global healing techniques and ancient traditions that are practiced by Hawaiian and different Asian cultures.
Spa Profile: The Kahala Spa at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Each spa treatment is personalized according to each guest’s desired comfort and personal needs, and signature spa services start with a welcome foot ritual that immerses one’s feet in aromatic water with Hawaiian sea salts.
Recommended treatments to try include the traditional Hawaiian Massage with warm stones and hand-carved lomi lomi sticks for deeper pressure, as well as the Golden Glow Facial and Body Treatment, a 2.5-hour service that leaves skin radiant and glowing with a full-body dry brushing, body polish and body wrap, relaxing massage, and Oxygen Facial.
Lava Massage & Day Spa
1750 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 111 & 2502 Honolulu, HI 96826; (808) 909-7880
This unique spa features a cozy space that has been converted from a high-rise apartment unit into a relaxing wellness space. It consists of four treatment rooms located on the 25th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Honolulu, offering stunning views during the day and at night.
Lava Massage & Day Spa was founded by a licensed massage therapist, esthetician, and nail technician who is also X-treme Lash certified. The spa prides itself on its affordability and accessibility for all guests, and offers a variety of services including massages, facials, couple’s packages, and lashes and brows.
Among their offerings to try are the Lava Signature Massage (choice of Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lomi Lomi, Thai, and Combination); Lava Signature Facial; Couples Massage (available in 60, 90, and 120 minutes); as well as several different Spa Packages such as the “Chill” Spa Package, which includes a Deep Tissue Massage with hemp-infused oil, Lomi Lomi Body Massage, Foot Massage, and Sugar Foot Scrub (100 minutes for $120).
Mandara Spa at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
2005 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815; (808) 945-7721
A 22-acre getaway on Oahu’s widest stretch of beach with swimming pools, waterslides, and a saltwater Lagoon, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is the ultimate oceanfront retreat in Honolulu. At the hotel’s Mandara Spa, which is the largest spa in Waikiki, guests can enjoy indulging in Hawaiian spa treatments and Balinese-style services.
In addition to a full-service salon, spa amenities include 25 wet and dry treatment rooms, Japanese-style showers, a sauna, relaxation lounge, sundeck, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The spa menu consists of a wide variety of massages, body treatments, facials, and other beauty services, and incorporates indigenous Hawaiian ingredients such as chocolate macadamia, island coffee, Hawaiian sea salt, coconut, Pikake flowers, papapa, vanilla, and limu kala (seaweed).
Recommended treatments to try include the Swedish or Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, Mandara Signature Facial, and Mandara Ritual for the Hands and Feet, among others.
Moana Lani Spa at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
2365 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815; (808) 237-2535
Located in the historic Moana Surfrider Hotel also known as the “First Lady of Waikiki,” Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa By Westin is the only oceanfront spa in Waikiki. It offers 18,000 square feet of space for relaxation with luxurious amenities including relaxation lounges, steam rooms, sauna, and water therapy areas with ocean views.
Spa Profile: Moana Lani Spa at Moana Surfrider
The treatment menu at Moana Lani Spa consists of various massages, skincare treatments, nail services, and more. Guests can enjoy Hawaiian-inspired spa treatments such as the Lomi Lomi Ola massage, an energizing Mamaki Mud Wrap, as well as a healing stone treatment that incorporates stones gathered from the sacred underground pool at the upland headwaters of the Apuakehau stream, among others.
Each treatment room at the spa has a Koa wooden bowl that is filled with Alaea Hawaiian sea salt, which offers healing and restorative abilities. Guests are invited to leave their worries at the treatment room door by placing their thoughts and energy in the “ho’awe” burden ball, which allows the salt to absorb what is being released. When the treatment concludes, the salt is placed into a collection bowl and thrown into the ocean, carrying guests’ troubles out to sea with it.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
383 Kalaimoku Street, Waikiki Beach, HI 96815; (808) 922-8111
At The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, guests enjoy the amenities and services of a five-star resort combined with local touches in a premier location on Honolulu’s popular Kalakaua Avenue. The ocean-facing property, which features 552 stylishly-appointed guest rooms and suites, is also home to the highest infinity pools in Waikiki, along with a luxury spa.
Spa Profile: The Ritz-Carlton Spa at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Waikiki Beach has four treatment rooms including a couples suite, as well as a relaxation lounge and locker rooms with dry saunas. The spa’s treatments incorporate native elements including Lehua blossoms, rainforest leaves, and volcanic stones, as well as traditional techniques like Lomi Lomi massage, to connect guests to a deeper sense of place.
One of the spa’s highly-recommended treatments is the Endless Escape, a 105-minute massage that was developed by the spa’s team of experienced therapists. It features organic farm-to-body CBD products and hot stones to get rid of any lingering tension held in the body. Other treatments to try include the Volcanic Stone Massage, which incorporates warm volcanic stones to soothe tired muscles; as well as the Manoa Mist Body Treatment, a full-body sugar exfoliation and energizing Lomi Lomi Massage that is inspired by the upland forests of Manoa.
SpaHalekulani at Halekulani
2199 Kalia Road, Honolulu, HI 96815; 1 (800) 367-2343
The award-winning SpaHalekulani is known for combining authentically crafted Polynesian therapeutic rituals and curated experiences with the best products through its wellness concept, the Art of Wellbeing. The concept combines six pillars (Discover, Explore, Move, Nourish, Renew, Rest) for an elevated lifestyle and is designed to incite wonder, expand intellect, and tap into emotions that are necessary for achieving well-being. It consists of monthly educational events and experiences that empower attendees to achieve optimal well-being and health.
Spa Profile: SpaHalekulani at Halekulani
Located at the luxurious Halekulani hotel in Waikiki, which overlooks beautiful Diamond Head, the spa’s amenities include seven relaxation suites, which feature two couple suites, private lockers, steam showers, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, and therapy beds.
The treatment menu features various healing modalities and beauty services such as Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, Reflexology, and Swedish massage; service enhancements like KNESKO Collagen masks and CBD oil; skincare services such as the HydraFacial and various KNESKO facials; as well as manicures, pedicures, and hair services in the beauty salon.
SpaHalekulani is also a Green Circle Salon and is the first spa in Hawaii to be recognized as one of the greenest salons in the world. By repurposing, recycling, and capture salon and spa waste, the hotel and spa are committed to being part of a sustainable organization that helps the environment.
Spa Pure Waikiki
400 Royal Hawaiian Ave, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 924-3200
Located in the lobby of the Courtyard Waikiki Beach Hotel, Spa Pure Waikiki is a day spa in Honolulu that offers unique treatments and experiences including the Ocean Massage, which is inspired by the Hawaiian healing ritual of swimming in the the warm waters surrounding the islands. This treatment is held in a balmy saltwater pool that is reserved exclusively for Spa Pure’s private therapeutic use during the sessions.
Available in 45 and 60-minute sessions, the Ocean Massage is a three-dimensional swirling massage that guides you through a series of whole-body stretch motions while pressure point massage helps to relieve knots in muscles. Your therapist will also provide a foot massage while you float in the warm water for the ultimate relaxing experience.
Spa Pure Waikiki also offers traditional massages in a private treatment room, facials, and Ganban Yoku—a granite sauna experience that helps to flush toxins from the body while stimulating circulation. For this treatment, guests lie enclosed under an herbal steam dome on a slab of pure granite while resting their head on a pillow. Warmed to 103 degrees Fahrenheit, the stone releases a safe far-infrared energy which produces a deep sweat from the body that increases metabolism and stimulates skin’s production of collagen as well.
Spa U’ilani
520 Keawe Street, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 312-4485
Located in the heart of f Kaka’ako at Keauhou Lane, Spa U’ilani is a boutique day spa in Honolulu that customizes every aspect of the spa experience for guests so that they “walk in and float out.” Service amenities at the spa include private lockers, an aroma steam room, showers, and an Ola Lounge where signature tea is served after one’s spa treatment.
Spa U’ilani’s treatment menu includes an impressive selection of massages with offerings such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic, Prenatal, and Lomi Lomi Massage, with add-ons ranging from hot stones to aromatherapy. Facials are also offered at the spa with options such as an Express Hydrogel treatment to boost hydration, Proteolytic Enzyme Facial to exfoliate and resurface, and Retinol Plus for enhanced resurfacing and skin refining, among others.
Walk-in appointments are always welcome, but the spa highly recommends making an appointment in advance. Spa memberships with different tiers are also available and all membership packages receive 20% off additional services as well as 10% off retail purchases. Members also get access to exclusive events and special promotions throughout the year.
[Photos courtesy of spas and resorts]
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Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk