Who knew that Waikiki – known for live music, raucous happy hours and world class shopping was also a bastion of wellness. It can be, you just need to know where to go. Locally sourced ingredients like sugar, honey, ginger, coffee and cacao make body wraps and facials delectable, too. Here are our favorite hotels with spas in Waikiki and Honolulu.
TIP: Don’t waste your day! Since most hotels have check-in until 4pm, be sure to ask for an early check-in. If they can’t accommodate, they will usually let you store your bags so you can head to the beach!
Halekulani Hotel
The subtle palette of its elegantly understated rooms, breathtaking views of Diamond Head and curling waves, and its illustrious SpaHalekulani lead to “serenity now” at this iconic bastion of oceanfront luxury. Shielded from Waikiki’s hustle and bustle, Halekulani shines as a center for gourmets and arts aficionados, including lovers of Hawaiian music and hula, who head to the outdoor House Without a Key for nightly performances.
Highlights: SpaHalekulani was the first luxury spa to draw from the healing traditions of the Pacific region. Book ahead for the Traveler’s Welcome, a massage package that counters jet lag and swollen feet with hot and cold elements, the spa’s signature Maile Mist and a cocktail on the Spa Lanai. Salon services are also first-rate.
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Like many a grande dame, Waikiki’s first hotel (opened in 1901) has undergone several expansions and facelifts over the years. Now part of Marriott’s Bonvoy program (yes, you can use points), the 793-room Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, offers award-winning restaurants, nightly Hawaiian entertainment in the courtyard, and beachfront access to the moana (ocean). The luxurious Moana Lani Spa is the only oceanfront spa in Waikiki, showcasing Hawaiian healing traditions and innovative spa rituals in nine massage and three facial treatment rooms.
Highlights: Men and women have their own spacious locker rooms, dry and steam saunas, water therapy rooms and relaxation lounges, while couples can take advantage of ocean-view spa suites. Clients also have access to the extensive Westin Workout gym and the beach.
The Royal Hawaiian
Now a Luxury Collection Resort (and also part of Marriott’s Bonvoy points program), this beachfront, Moorish-inspired pink palace has lost none of its luster since opening in 1927 in a once-royal coconut grove. Instead, it has only gained a reputation for excellent cocktails at the Mai Tai Bar, fine dining at Azure restaurant and a modern tower that’s a luxury hotel-within-a-hotel. It shares a beachfront fantasy pool with the neighboring Sheraton Waikiki but has its own, smaller tranquil pool on the ocean side as well as the serene Abhasa Spa on the garden side.
Highlights: Abhasa means “illusion” in Sanskrit, but it’s no illusion that this spa is one of the top in Hawaii. Treatments feature tropical ingredients such as organic coconut oil, Hawaiian honey and passionfruit, and include complimentary garden yoga sessions.The signature Abhasa Harmony massage fuses Hawaiian lomilomi and Japanese shiatsu techniques.
Did we miss your favorite hotel?
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