Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is an iconic beachside resort on Wailea Beach in Maui.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is a beachside resort nestled amidst 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens on Wailea Beach in Maui. The expansive property features luxurious rooms and suites, and is home to multiple swimming pools, water activities, event spaces, gardens, dining, and entertainment.

Since its reopening on November 15, Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has debuted The Grand Life—a variety of programming that focuses on well-being and incorporates personalized health and safety measures. The Grand Life also includes a reimagined twist to the exceptional experiences the resort is known for such as its award-winning spa.

Spa Grande is the largest spa in all of Hawaii and offers 50,000 square feet of wellness space including hydrotherapy facilities, an open-air lanai, relaxation lounge, and more. Uniting Thalassotherapy and ancient Eastern and Hawaiian philosophies, Spa Grande features an extensive range of Hawaiian and globally-inspired therapies.

The spa has reopened with a socially distant approach and features other special touches including a welcome hand-cleansing ritual and an immune-boosting elixir served at the end of all treatments. Open-air treatment options in a poolside cabana are available, as well as in-room treatments for those who would prefer not to use the spa facilities.

In early 2021, the spa is launching a new Live Grande Wellness program, which will feature à la carte wellness experiences, events and workshops with visiting practitioners, one to three-day retreats, and more. The program is designed to allow guests to discover their path to a vibrant, fulfilling life through thoughtful wellness experiences that allow for exploration on needs and desires to spiritually heal inside and out.

We chatted with Rachael McCory, Director of Spa & Wellness at Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, who shared insider tips, recommended spa treatments to try, and more:

Grand Wailea is home to Spa Grande, the largest spa in Hawaii with 50,000 square feet of wellness space.

Why You’ll Love It: People love our treatments that are inspired by traditional Hawaiian healing practices; for example, the Ho’omalie, which blends a rhythmic lomi-lomi and pohaku (warm stone) massage to induce deep relaxation and release tension. Here, some highlight ingredients are mango butter, cocoa butter, and other island essences. There is also the Pala’au Journey, which is a lomi-lomi massage with herbal oil, followed by a full-body cocoon, scalp, and foot massage.

Guests also adore our spa boutique, which features an extensive range of skin care and wellness products, apparel, jewelry, accessories, books, and supplements—many of which are Hawaii-oriented.

Lastly, I would say the environment is what tantalizes our guests too—we have an open-air spa relaxation lanai for lounging and an extensive hydrothermal circuit featuring cascading waterfall showers, signature baths infused with minerals and essentials oils, Roman tub, Japanese furo, redwood sauna, cold plunges, and steam room. We are Hawaii’s largest spa with 50,000 square feet of space and guests find our spa to be very spacious.

Guests can relax before or after their treatments on the spa’s open-air lanai with ocean views.

Key Features: Although not available at the moment due to the pandemic, we’re famous for our Healing Waters of Maui Hydrotherapy Treatment—an extensive hydrothermal circuit where we offer a trove of thermal baths and hydrotherapy experiences. Right now, we’re operating to embed social distancing, so that particular part of our spa remains closed. At the moment, people love our ocean view open-air lanai; additionally, how we give them the option to have their spa experience in-room or outdoors.

I’m very excited about our ‘Live Grande Wellness’ Program. Launching in early 2021, Live Grande features unique wellness programming designed to support guests through the stressors of today’s world. Our first launch in Q1 will focus on services to support mental well-being and energy clearing as we go into the new year including personalized guided meditation, soul clearing, natal charts and readings, chakra balancing, reiki, and counseling services.

Additional programming will include events and workshops with visiting practitioners, one to three-day retreats, and more. Guests can expect additional services to be announced each quarter, including nutrition sessions on intuitive eating, Hawaiian healing therapies, and sessions on traditional plant medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and more.

Further amenities also include our salon, newly renovated multi-level 5000+ square-foot Fitness Center featuring Technogym equipment, TRX, Peloton, and Tonal (launching early 2021). Newly created personal “Wellness Pod” private fitness studio featuring a Peloton, Rower, Tonal, free weights, and fitness accessories. We also offer daily fitness and yoga classes.

Insider’s Tip: Always opt for the 100-minute treatment. Everyone ends their massage wanting more time and the 100-minute is a better price per minute. Also, add a Knesko mask during your massage. You will come out feeling and looking great!

Uniting Thalassotherapy and ancient Eastern and Hawaiian philosophies, Spa Grande features an extensive range of Hawaiian and globally-inspired therapies.

Snacks Served: We currently cannot serve any shared beverages or snacks due to COVID-19 restrictions; however, we’re providing each guest with an personal amenity bag that includes local Ku’ia Chocolates, Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen to be added to their water, Honey Mango Body Wash and Lotion, Spa Grande Clouds bath sachet, and make-up remover.

Open-air treatment options in a poolside cabana are available, as well as in-room treatments for those who would prefer not to use the spa facilities.

Bonus: Right now, I would say a ‘special spa bonus’ is our ocean view open-air lanai where guests can relax before or after their treatments with complimentary personal amenities.

Unique Treatment: Most unique at the moment, I would say, is the Honey Macadamia Nut Indulgence. Here, guests can indulge in full-body renewal to nourish from head-to-toe. This experience begins with a bee propolis mask to boost immunity and soften the skin, followed by a luxurious whipped honey and macadamia nut oil massage to unravel muscle tension and calm the mind. A hydrating, full-body cocoon with a scalp and foot treatment closes this luxurious experience.

The spa’s treatments that are inspired by traditional Hawaiian healing practices. — The spa’s treatments that are inspired by traditional Hawaiian healing practices.

Insider’s Favorite: Ho'omalie Healing Treatment with Knesko Nanogold mask upgrade.

Splurge Treatment: All of our treatments are luxurious; however, if I had to pick one, I would go with the Hawaiian Healing Escape. It’s a half-day experience that uses traditional Hawaiian healing practices and massage therapies combined with herbal plant medicine grown in the lush rainforests of Hawaii—it’s our signature!

The spa’s new Live Grande Wellness program (launching in 2021) will offer guests thoughtful wellness experiences, events, workshops, and more.

Featured Products: We offer the following brands at the spa; many, although not all, are Hawaii-sourced: Ala Lani, Circadia, Dazzle Dry, Eminence Organic Skin Care, Foreo, Malie, Mary’s Nutritionals, NuFace, O’O Skincare, Ola Hawaiian Body Products, Olaplex, Oshan Essentials, Shellac, SkinCeuticals, SpaRitual, and Unite.

For more information and to book a treatment, visit the website and follow them on Instagram: @grandwailea

[Images courtesy of Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort]