Mauna Lani Spa and Salon

The grounds are gorgeous; actually better looking than the resort hotel. The staff is warm and friendly; but the facility isn’t up to par with the pricing. A lot like the resort in general, the place just feels like its a half-​way attempt. Nothing is over-​the –top, nothing has a special pizzazz. You feel like the place is on its last leg and/​or going out of business. Shelves are ½ full, racks are empty. just weird and uncomfortable. It is clean and meets the strict parameters of a ‘spa’ but its not a «destination» and certainly no where near a top spa in the state, country or world! I would check out others in the area before I would go here again.

As a spa enthusiast I was very disappointed by this spa. The Mauna Lani Spa which was ranked «Best In The World» in 2009 is so far from that title it’s comical. I changed my 80 minute massage into a 30 minute because I was so not relaxed. You’re outside, it’s cold, not to mention I was being attacked by Mosquitos. No soothing music, just the voices of the gym members since the gym is right next door. Not worth your money at all. Go to the Four Seasons or the Fairmont Orchad.

Incredible serene atmosphere and very friendly staff. My massage was terrific, but the highlight of my time in the spa and my entire week stay at the Mauna Lani was Paulo who works in the spa. He is a top asset to the Mauna Lani, being the most genuine, friendly and funny spa attendant I’ve ever met.

This is a very good spa, but as with all my gripes about the Mana Lani resort, it was also very expensive, and I don’t think entire worth the price they charge. Being as it is one of only a few day spas on the entire island, though, they can get away with charging such ridiculous prices. We received a couples lomi lomi massage, which were carried out very well – very relaxing albeit not very deep. We enjoyed the amenities during our experience as well: sauna, steam room, outdoor showers, and lounge with magazines. I would have given five stars if prices were about $ 100 less than what they charged us. I have received better massages as nicer spas for less money. But it was part of our vacation experience and I do not regret it at all.

My girlfriend treated me and another girlfriend to a spa day. My girlfriend was smart to call ahead and order our services to ensure they would have the staff on hand. Since we live about 2 hours from the Mauna Lani, we opted to make it a full day… not the best decision. We arrived early in the morning and checked into the spa. The reception was very nice and had a relaxing ‘feel’.
We were escorted into the locker area. The attendants couldn’t have been nicer and went out of their way for us. Since our treatments were not until afternoon, we went for a morning snorkel. The spa kindly called the resort van to shuttle us to the resort beach. As the driver dropped us off, he asked if we were staying at the resort… no, just using the spa. He advised us (and in not too friendly a way) the shuttle was only for resort guests. After our snorkel, we had lunch at one of the resort’s beach front cafes. We got a little loose on the time and realized we better head back to the spa. We asked directions and started back on foot. It wasn’t too long and we were completely lost. Using the courtesy phone at the golf course, we called the shuttle. When the driver arrived, it was the same guy as before. He gave us a good dose of stink eye. (1 star off for treating resort customers badly.)
By the time we got back to the spa, we were a little late for our appointments. It would have been nice to have time for a shower but that wasn’t to be (our fault not theirs). We were given pareo type wraps to wear. Not bad within the confines of the spa, but a little skimpy outside. I had the body scrub/​massage and a facial. The body scrub/​massage was excellent and the facial was exceptional. The man that did the body scrub/​massage took me outside afterward to see the cave/​pool where they do the water massages. I felt more than a little under-​dressed as we walked about outside in the wind. I had the opportunity to see the massage hales. The concept was nice but it would have been better (given the prices) if they’d spaced them out and landscaped to offer more privacy.
I would have given 4 stars except for the rude treatment by the resort shuttle driver. My girlfriend dropped about $ 1400 that day in the spa (not counting our food before and after). Was the shuttle so busy they couldn’t take us to another location on their property? Really? Next time I think it would be better to spend our whole day in the spa vicinity rather than trying to squeeze in too many other activities.

Shady Practices: We requested a couples massage priced at $ 299. They charged us for two, individual massages saying «deep tissue massage wasn’t covered as couple prices. They didn’t mention this in the brochure or mention it on the phone. There’s an extra $ 20. Wish they would have told me beforehand because…
Unskilled personnel: Their «deep tissue massage»…isn’t. There’s not much deep tissue involved – they squeeze a bit here and there.

I got my hair and make-​up done here for my wedding. Now, I normally never wear make-​up so I was very very apprehensive about getting done up. I set up a consultation and I immediately felt at ease. The lady was very knowledgeable and understood right away and made great suggestions. On the day of my wedding, everything went so smoothly. I even got fake eyelashes, which I kept fluttering and were super fun! Brides, if you are getting married on the big island, I highly recommend getting your make-​up and hair done here!

I had a manicure and a Lomi Lomi massage while staying as a guest in the resort.
First off, the grounds are BEAUTIFUL. It’s very luxurious feeling. I walked in and was greeted very warmly by both the receptionist and the hostess in the locker room.
I started with the manicure. As we walked through the spa I was feeling to tranquil and really really excited for my manicure. I live in a city and go to a «spa» every six weeks or so for a manicure… it’s pretty luxurious and it’s $ 35. This was $ 50. We passed through a door and right into what felt like my neighborhood SuperCuts with a manicure station. I sat in a super-​uncomfortable office chair, listening to commercials on the radio with my arms on a towel while I got a completely fine, completely no-​frills manicure. I’m not super spoiled or anything, but for that much money, you think it would be dimly lit, comfortable chair, nice music, padding for your arms etc. The manicure looked good and the woman doing it was very nice, but in Philadelphia it would have been $ 14 for that kind of manicure.
Then I got ready for my massage. I was given a robe that was SO SMALL. I’m not a giant person, but I’m not small either. I asked if they had any larger robes and the answer was NO! I’ve never been to a spa where I didn’t fit in the robes. I was shocked. Then I had to walk out to my massage with tons of people around trying to to show anything. Not too relaxing at all. Enough with the negative. Once I got to my outdoor «hut» it was amazing. Birds singing, warm breeze blowing it was a «pinch me I must be dreaming experience.» Truly amazing and worth every penny. But, then I had to get in that small G.D. robe and make it back to the locker room.
Overall, I’d highly recommend a massage, if you’re big, BYOrobe and skip the manicure. You’re going to get it all fudged up with the massage anyway. (Like I did. :))

We went to the spa on the last day before heading back from our honeymoon. Unfortunately we’d been to the Anara Spa in Kuaui before coming to this one and were truly spoiled there.
We booked the same service, a couples Lomilomi massage and while the massage was wonderful, the ammenities at the spa were just not quite as good — picky, but still: no waterfall shower heads, the showers were a bit smaller, no hot tubs or luxurious loungey pool areas that we could see, and the waiting area was quite a bit smaller than the previous spa we’d been to. I really enjoyed my massage, but my husband thought his was just ok.
We were excited based on spa reviews we’d read, but unfortunately we were disappointed.

In past years, I would have given this five stars, but this year I felt that I was being rushed. The Ayurevedic massage purports to be «tailored to your body’s needs.». This simply means you get to choose between three aromas. I asked the lady to avoid my head and neck area (due to an injury), and before I knew it, she went straight for my ears! I got a basic Swedish massage, and it was nothing special at that price. Husband, on the other hand was very pleased with his treatment.

This was our last Honeymoon event before heading home. We were not staying at the resort, so we had to drive around the grounds a bit before finding the spa facility. We had a very nice greeting at the reception desk and were taken back to the locker rooms quickly. The woman who took me back was not the most friendly, but she did her job.
They didn’t have robes, but pretty sheets that you tie around yourself while in the spa. It was a fun change. They offered, tea, water, fruit and granola bars. They had the usual amenities of a nice spa.
My first –1 star is that there was no hot tub in the spa. So I started in the steam room where I squished a very full mosquito. I’m on a tropical island, so that’s to be expected.
The sauna was nice too… I was just wishing for a little soak! From other reviews, it looks like there are pools and jacuzie’s elsewhere on the premise, but we were never told about them.
All of the showers are outdoor showers, and semi-​private. The only spy I had was a gecko.
Michael and I were led out to the outdoor hut for our couples massage. There were big black bumblebees buzzing about (–1 star, although not the spa’s fault). I’m not afraid of them, but their sound is un-​nerving to me. I think the bee knew this and decided to buzz all around me my entire massage. Thanks bee!
The good part about the massage was that is was breezy and you could hear the birds singing. The massage itself was ok for me. M was not impressed.
The spa is not near the ocean, so If I went again, I would stay indoors for the massage.
I guess the last star I would subtract was for overall experience, and pricey-​ness.
If you want to end the excursion on an upbeat note, go to Tommy Bahama’s restaurant after for a drink and appetizer, then head to the Canoe House.

Don’t waste your money on this spa. My daughter and I went there, me for a massage with hot stones and her for a facial. For being located in Hawaii on the grounds of a luxury hotel, it could have been on a street corner. So why pay inflated prices for the location and experience? My local spa feels more special. The facility was really small with the spa and shower area in a little corner. The facility is bordered by a street so you don’t feel like you are in any kind of special setting, and especially not in a tropical environment. While the technique of my massage was fine, it felt completely impersonal, like the person had done this 100 times before and didn’t even notice who she was working on. My daughter had a facial and the esthetician told her how beautiful her skin was. It actually was completely broken out in hives and welts due to an allergy from sun screen. I would suggest, for the same cost, you try another spa with better ambiance and hopefully folks that care a bit more.

Best hot stone massage EVER! The massage started with a chant for my safety and blessings and ended with pure bliss. The stones were the right temperature and the minimum pressure with the massage was perfect. The only issue was that the lava stone massage needed to be indoors. However, since the spa has a feeling of such serenity; this was not a problem at all!

I LOVE their facility very much! Spa is located a bit away from the hotel, so it is very quiet and private (no small children allowed). The air-​conditioned gym, large lap pool, jacuzzi, locker room are never crowded (at least the times I went there). The sauna and steam room in locker room are bit small size compare to other spa, but they are never crowded also. I love how I can chose if I want to receive a massage outside (tropical cabana) or inside. However, the massage therapists were not that great… I received a swedish, lomi lomi, and hapai (prenatal) massage separte times from different therapists and I know they are all mild massages, but I received better massages before from else where. The locker room attendants were very very friendly, but the front desk receptionists (a yound lady) was not that friendly. She could learn better customer service skills with smile.

Oh I never get tired of being pampered. The spa is right by the hotel entrance. They have all of the services and amenities that you would expect from a top spa. We did the couples massage during our stays and they were part of the package we did at the resort. After getting ready in the locker room, they will lead you outside to your own private hut. Wow, was this relaxing. The outdoor hut was secluded and surrounded by lava rocks, tropical plants, flowers and birds. Ah, paradise. Worth every penny. After your treatment make sure to enjoy the steam room, sauna and outdoor showers of the spa.
If you want to go to the spa, check into some packages at the resort. You will save yourself some money.