On the breathtaking coast of Maui, the iconic Grand Wailea hotel has been a fixture in Hawaii since 1991. Originally imagined by the developer Takeshi Sekiguchi as the Grand Hyatt Wailea, it is now a Waldorf Astoria resort, boasting an expansive oasis of nature, world-class amenities, food and beverage destinations, contemporary art, and more.
Kilolani Spa Reception; Courtesy of The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
Tihany Design’s Decadent Design for Kilolani Spa
Earlier this year, Grand Wailea opened its highly-anticipated Kilolani Spa after an extensive 55 million dollar renovation spearheaded by Tihany Design. Now the largest spa in the entire state of Hawaii at 50,000 square feet, it features an all-new open air space treated in luxurious materials and adorned by the lush natural beauty of Maui.
Kilolani Spa Vitality Pool; Courtesy of The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
Inspired by Nature
Utilizing Kilolani’s nature-centric concepts to design open-air spaces, the wellness destination features a collection of awe-inspiring facilities—including 40 treatment rooms, including couples’ treatment suites, a meditation lounge, reflection lounge, halotherapy-infused infrared saunas, hammam, and hydrothermal gardens—that are geared to preserve the heritage of the hotel, honor local traditions, and offer one-of-a-kind treatments to guests from around the globe.
“Kilolani Spa truly embodies our commitment to honoring Maui’s rich wellness culture, while embracing the modern innovations of the spa industry,” said JP Oliver, managing director at Grand Wailea, Waldorf Astoria. “We look forward to offering our guests personalized treatments imbued with local influences, natural ingredients, and the aloha spirit.”
Kilolani Spa Ice Station; Courtesy of The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
“Kilolani Spa truly embodies our commitment to honoring Maui’s rich wellness culture,”
–JP Oliver
Signature Treatments Guided by the Moon
Kilolani Spa’s reopening is an important moment for both locals and travelers alike, as its dedication to cultural programming is embedded in its ethos. Signature treatments, like Āina and Helu Pō, highlight the power of plant medicine and operate on the moon calendar—a practice coveted by Hawaiian healers for centuries. Many special treatments start with native Hawaiian chants and rituals, and utilize oils made from ingredients specifically planted, picked, and used on days that aligne with specific moon phases. The spa’s very name also pays homage to the native name “Kilolani,” which translates in Hawaiian to the stargazers who were inspired by the moon as a guide.
Furthermore, the natural world and ritualistic practices of the island act as cultural and educational moments for the property to share with its guests. Onsite, the Grand Wailea’s cultural programming manager and leadership educator, Kalei ‘Uwēko’Olani, leads chants and rituals behind many of the spa’s initiatives, sharing insight behind treatments.
Kilolani Spa Sauna; Courtesy of The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.
