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When you arrive at Naupaka Spa & Wellness Centre, you’ll be greeted with a warm “Aloha!” But the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina spa goes beyond mere salutations to incorporate its aina, or “land,” into the experience. Wellness takes a decidedly Hawaiian approach at this new, contemporary six-floor facility.
You’ll see it in the menu of Hawaiian healing therapies, which range from the Hanohano Lomi Lomi, a massage with long flowing strokes that mimic the graceful movements of a hula dancer, to the volcanic foot and leg treatment, which uses volcanic pumice, sea salts, native taro and local honey to exfoliate and hydrate your lower body.
The land also influences the décor. The chic spa blends the indoors and outdoors to connect you to nature. Take your massage in a traditional treatment room or an outdoor hale with throws from local designer Manaola Yap that bear Hawaiian designs. Unwind in the air-conditioned lounge under a plum chenille blanket or outside surrounded by lush foliage in a hammock or a cocoon-like sunbed that begs for you to sprawl out and bask in Oahu’s rays.
You’ll see it in the menu of Hawaiian healing therapies, which range from the Hanohano Lomi Lomi, a massage with long flowing strokes that mimic the graceful movements of a hula dancer, to the volcanic foot and leg treatment, which uses volcanic pumice, sea salts, native taro and local honey to exfoliate and hydrate your lower body.
The land also influences the décor. The chic spa blends the indoors and outdoors to connect you to nature. Take your massage in a traditional treatment room or an outdoor hale with throws from local designer Manaola Yap that bear Hawaiian designs. Unwind in the air-conditioned lounge under a plum chenille blanket or outside surrounded by lush foliage in a hammock or a cocoon-like sunbed that begs for you to sprawl out and bask in Oahu’s rays.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Book a treatment in one of the two Himalayan salt chambers. Inhaling the dry, salty air in the pink-salt-brick-lined room is supposed to help your lungs and skin, improve sleep, zap stress and increase energy.
- Plan to linger after your treatment. There are many inviting nooks where you can stay awhile, from the outdoor gray banquettes framed by dramatic, gauzy curtains to a gently swaying hideaway hammock.
- Try some indigenous healing and reserve a lomi lomi massage. The Hawaiian technique isn’t easily found at spas on the mainland.
- In addition to the lomi lomi, we love everything else on the Hawaiian healing therapies menu. Admire Hawaiians’ lustrous locks? Add on a Tropical Hair and Scalp Treatment, which employs coconut, macadamia nut, kukui and avocado oils for a deeply moisturizing fix.
- Circulate among the locker room’s eucalyptus steam room, sauna and hot tub in for maximum relaxation. And be sure to pause for citrus water and chewy housemade granola bars in between circuits.
Things to Know
- You can take your treatment outside of the spa in a private hale, a standalone wood-slatted cabin amid verdant gardens or near the ocean. It comes with its own alfresco shower — don’t worry, stone walls shield any prying eyes.
- Hidden out of sight off of a stair landing, the 62-foot outdoor pool and its Jacuzzi are great amenities that most spa-goers miss. But that’s better for you — you’ll likely have them all to yourself.
- The eminently family-friendly resort offers a keki (children) spa menu. Turn your little one into a Hawaiian Hula Princess (a hula skirt, hairdo topped with a blossom, a lei and a glittery tattoo). Older kids can opt for the Kama Lei, a massage that soothes nervous systems and muscles sore from growing.
- While there’s a gym in the Hawaii spa, bring your workout outside with the daily beachside yoga classes at 7 a.m.
- The top floor of the spa is home to the Jim Courier Tennis Centre from the former No. 1 ranked player in the world. Hotel guests get preferred times on the five plexi-pave courts, along with access to daily clinics, private and group lessons, video stroke analysis and more.
The Treatments
- Lean far back in a zero-gravity chair in the salt chamber for the Ha Ritual, which exfoliates your feet with sea salt and coconut oil and a heart-shaped salt stone (which you get to bring home). As you follow the guided mediation on the headphones, your therapist will massage your feet.
- You can’t visit Hawaii without trying its traditional lomi lomi massage. The Oahu spa puts its own spin on it by adding lilikoi (passion fruit). The local fruit goes into the sugar cane, coconut oil and honey exfoliant as well as the subsequent massage.
- For a spa sampler, reserve the No Ka Oi (“the best”). The greatest-hits service includes a sugar cane and coconut oil body scrub, coconut milk and aloe wrap, hair and scalp treatment and a lemongrass-ginger lomi lomi massage.
- Restore your glow with a Rose Quartz Healing Facial, which uses carnelian, aventurine and rose quartz crystals to increase circulation and spur lymphatic drainage. For an anti-aging boost, upgrade to the Samadara Ultimate Age-Defying Facial, which includes the rose quartz facial massage and a Samadara Ultimate Age-Defying Crème application to stimulate collagen production and firm up your skin.
- For full-body indulgence, go for the Ho’okahi Ritual. First, you’ll do a halotherapy stint in the salt chamber, then slough off dead skin with a Molokai seat salt scrub. Finish with a hydrating lomi lomi massage.
The Facilities
- Men can freshen up at the barbershop, where they can sip a cold craft beer while a master barber prepares for the Duke’s Shave, a hot lather and straight-razor service.
- Celebrity stylist Billy Yamaguchi opened a roomy, neutral-toned salon in the spa. Yamaguchi’s known for taking a feng shui strategy to hair styling. Leave your locks in the staff’s expert hands, and it will determine the best cut and style for you based on your energy and the five elements (metal, earth, fire, water, wood).
- You won’t find run-of-the-mill nail services here. The Good Karma Pedicure soaks your feet in warm sake-infused water and massages them with bamboo. The Green Tea Manicure begins with a Japanese tea service and then treats your digits to a soymilk soak, green tea clay mask and green tea lotion massage.
Amenities
Meals
Outdoor pool
Salon
Spa shop
Getting There
