Maui's Wailea Resort lifts curtain on new US$55m moon-inspired open-air spa
– Tracy Lee
Maui’s iconic Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has announced the opening of its highly anticipated Kilolani Spa, an all-new luxury wellness retreat inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty.
At 50,000sq ft, Kilolani Spa is claimed to be the largest spa in the state and is designed to honour the island of Maui's healing heritage and local traditions.
Formerly The Spa Grande, the facility opened in its first guise in 1990 among 40 acres of lush tropical gardens, with design by industry consultant Sylvia Sepielli.
The recent overhaul was spearheaded by Tracy Lee, president and founder of TLEE Spas + Wellness, in collaboration with designers from Tihany Design and Rachael McCrory, Hilton’s regional director of spa and wellness. Additionally, the team partnered with Bradford Wellness, which provided specialised hydrothermal consultancy services.
The project involved reframing the spa’s traditional Roman bathing concept into an authentic Hawaiian wellness space.
Facilities on offer
The new US$55 million (€50.8 million, £43.5 million) spa encompasses 40 treatment rooms, including four couples’ rooms and self-contained suites overlooking the Wailea coastline, as well as two single and two double private scrub rooms in a hammam.
It’s also home to an intricate open-air Hydrothermal Garden bathing circuit featuring DIY scrub stations, a sauna, a steamroom, a vitality pool, waterfall showers and a reflection garden.
Each of these amenities are available as gender-specific experiences which connect to an expansive co-ed environment featuring the island’s first hammam and saltwater flotation pool – along with halotherapy/infrared saunas and a wet lounge.
Additionally, guests can visit a full-service salon, a meditation lounge, a reflection lounge, a retail boutique and a medical wellness clinic operated by the Florida-based Biostation brand.
Kilolani Spa also provides guests with a variety of modern fitness amenities, including a 2,500sq m fitness centre equipped by Tonal, Peloton and Technogym, a movement studio and a schedule of mind/body and movement classes.
Natural inspiration TLEE Spas says Hawaii's culture, moon calendar and indigenous healing arts were fundamental to its new vision for the spa.
“We’re thrilled to introduce guests to Kilolani Spa, where they can feel truly immersed in the spirit of Maui,” said Tracy Lee, TLEE president and founder. “It was important to create an experience that honours and connects guests to Hawaii’s deep and diverse culture and wellness traditions.”
Inspired by the Kilolani – Hawaiian stargazers who used the moon to guide all aspects of daily life – the spa experience is guided by Helu Pō (moon cycles).
Programming continuously evolves with the 10-day moon period (anahulu’s) and features native botanicals, signature products hand-crafted on Maui and holistic treatments.
Debuting a new type of “sound healing”, Kilolani Spa has launched a blend of harmonic sound therapy with Oli – Hawaiian chants for wisdom, wellbeing and preservation. Spearheaded by Kalei ʻUwēko ʻolani, Grand Wailea’s cultural programming manager, this experience is designed to clear negative energy and improve overall wellbeing.
Spa and wellness suppliers partnered with Kilolani Spa include Living Earth Crafts, Lemi Group, Ala Lani, Cause + Medic, Botanika Life, Cryo T-Shock, Future Cosmetics, HydraFacial, Jetpeel, Kauai Pharmacy, Lokelani, Malie, Ola Tropical Apothecary, Pure Noni and U’a.
Stay tuned for the next issue of Spa Business for a dedicated feature on Kilolani Spa, packed with exclusive insights from TLEE Spas.
Grand Wailea A Waldorf Astoria Resort Kilolani Spa TLEE Spas Tracy Lee Hawaii Hilton Tonal Peloton Technogym Bradford Wellness Sylvia Sepielli Living Earth Crafts Lemi Group HydraFacial Jetpeel
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
