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.