Hi all,

I was hoping you all could help recommend the top 3 or 5 spas in Honolulu? My wife and I will be there for a week and would love to find some great spas. Thanks!

Outside of Waikiki, I can think of two that I frequently recommend:

1. Heaven on Earth (http://www.heavenonearthhawaii.com/) (located in Downtown)
2. Paul Brown (http://www.paulbrownhawaii.com/) (located in Ward)

I've heard good things about the spa out at the JW Marriott out at Ko Olina.

What type of spa are you looking for? As in most places, we have regular spas (Heaven on Earth, Paul Brown) that serve many locals too. Then we have the more pampered spas like Mandera and the one at Ko Olina that are more geared to tourists with prices to match.

Our recommendations would depend on whether you and your wife want just good spa services or you actually want to hang out in a "destination" spa and have good spa services.

TF :cool:

I've heard good things about the spa out at the JW Marriott out at Ko Olina.


I wasn't that impressed - the locker room was big & no privacy at all, some of the tubs weren't working, my services were ok, not stellar. Did like that spa pool, though, which the main pool got too crowded! And, I hate to say it (even if they aren't), but typical Marriott staff...

What type of spa are you looking for? As in most places, we have regular spas (Heaven on Earth, Paul Brown) that serve many locals too. Then we have the more pampered spas like Mandera and the one at Ko Olina that are more geared to tourists with prices to match.

Our recommendations would depend on whether you and your wife want just good spa services or you actually want to hang out in a "destination" spa and have good spa services.

TF :cool:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

My wife is looking for more of a pampering, destination type spa... In honolulu, are these type of spas mainly in hotels?

I'm looking for the regular clean place that I can get a good massage...I assume this is where the locals go?

Thanks again!

How about in Waikiki? Ms. tkey75 and I are in need of some serious pampering.

"Pampering" spas
These spas are definitely higher priced since they are geared towards tourists, but great for a treat during your vacation. Besides the tropical atmosphere and use of local ingredients (mango, papaya, hawaiian sea salts, coffee, etc.), the services are typically of the quality I've received at most mainland pampering spas.

Mandara Spa at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/services/mandara-spa.asp)
The Mandara Spa chain, which runs spas at luxury hotels around the world, moved their headquarters here so this spa was supposed to be designed as their flagship spa.

Hyatt Na Ho`ola Spa (http://www.hyattwaikiki.com/Spa/spa.aspx)
This spa is located in the Hyatt Waikiki. It is a very luxurious and big spa.

Spa Olakino (http://www.spaolakino.com/home.html)
This spa is the newest luxury spa and located in the Marriott Hotel. It is independently run by Paul Brown and is the luxury spa version of his other salon and spa in the Ward Center.

Spa Halekulani (http://www.halekulani.com/spa_halekulani/)
Anything Halekulani is top notch with prices to match. Love this hotel.

Serenity Day Spa and Salon (http://www.serenityhawaii.com/)
This spa is in the Outrigger Reef Hotel between the Hale Koa and Halekulani hotels. Less fluff than above spas. If you go for a lomi lomi massage, ask for Malia. She is a bona fide lomi lomi practitioner.

Less "pampering" spas
These are places that are not in Waikiki and geared more towards more local clientele.

Heaven on Earth (http://www.heavenonearthhawaii.com/)
This is a spa located in downtown Honolulu. There is municipal parking across the street (75 cents per half hour for the first 2 hours). You can also easily get here by bus from Waikiki. The massages definitely melt your tense muscles.

Paul Brown Salon in the Ward Center (http://www.paulbrownhawaii.com/our_services.html)
This is the local and less pampering version of the spa in the Marriott above.

Shiatsu Therapists of Hawaii
1365 Nuuanu Ave # 12, Honolulu
Phone: (808) 533-4171
This is the real thing with everyone in the same big room.

Have a good time! TF :cool:

I'm not a fan of the Hyatt's spa either - nothing special & have never felt that 'pampering' treatment. Plus, hard to get resvs. I'd fly to Maui & do the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea! Don't stay at the hotel, but I think this spa is one of the best ever! In Waikiki, I'd guess the Halakulani does a very good job.

Conde Nast Traveller just rated the Halekulani spa as the #2 Resort Spa in North America, so I suppose that's a pretty good rec! The Kohala Mandarin's was #17 & my fav, the Spa Grande on Wailea all the way down at #23! I'm really wondering how these spas could be much better & when I can get to check them out!!

"Pampering" spas


Less "pampering" spas
These are places that are not in Waikiki and geared more towards more local clientele.

Heaven on Earth (http://www.heavenonearthhawaii.com/)
This is a spa located in downtown Honolulu. There is municipal parking across the street (75 cents per half hour for the first 2 hours). You can also easily get here by bus from Waikiki. The massages definitely melt your tense muscles.

Paul Brown Salon in the Ward Center (http://www.paulbrownhawaii.com/our_services.html)
This is the local and less pampering version of the spa in the Marriott above.

Shiatsu Therapists of Hawaii
1365 Nuuanu Ave # 12, Honolulu
Phone: (808) 533-4171
This is the real thing with everyone in the same big room.

Have a good time! TF :cool:

TF,

Thanks for the info!! Is there a masseuse that you recommend at heaven on earth and/or paul brown?

My co-workers and I went to Heaven on Earth this past Monday after work and got massages. It was heavenly indeed. We all have appointments for this coming Monday already! ^

"Pampering" spas
These spas are definitely higher priced since they are geared towards tourists, but great for a treat during your vacation. Besides the tropical atmosphere and use of local ingredients (mango, papaya, hawaiian sea salts, coffee, etc.), the services are typically of the quality I've received at most mainland pampering spas.

Mandara Spa at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/services/mandara-spa.asp)
The Mandara Spa chain, which runs spas at luxury hotels around the world, moved their headquarters here so this spa was supposed to be designed as their flagship spa.

Hyatt Na Ho`ola Spa (http://www.hyattwaikiki.com/Spa/spa.aspx)
This spa is located in the Hyatt Waikiki. It is a very luxurious and big spa.

Spa Olakino (http://www.spaolakino.com/home.html)
This spa is the newest luxury spa and located in the Marriott Hotel. It is independently run by Paul Brown and is the luxury spa version of his other salon and spa in the Ward Center.

Spa Halekulani (http://www.halekulani.com/spa_halekulani/)
Anything Halekulani is top notch with prices to match. Love this hotel.

Serenity Day Spa and Salon (http://www.serenityhawaii.com/)
This spa is in the Outrigger Reef Hotel between the Hale Koa and Halekulani hotels. Less fluff than above spas. If you go for a lomi lomi massage, ask for Malia. She is a bona fide lomi lomi practitioner.

Less "pampering" spas
These are places that are not in Waikiki and geared more towards more local clientele.

Heaven on Earth (http://www.heavenonearthhawaii.com/)
This is a spa located in downtown Honolulu. There is municipal parking across the street (75 cents per half hour for the first 2 hours). You can also easily get here by bus from Waikiki. The massages definitely melt your tense muscles.

Paul Brown Salon in the Ward Center (http://www.paulbrownhawaii.com/our_services.html)
This is the local and less pampering version of the spa in the Marriott above.

Shiatsu Therapists of Hawaii
1365 Nuuanu Ave # 12, Honolulu
Phone: (808) 533-4171
This is the real thing with everyone in the same big room.

Have a good time! TF :cool:


Some experiences from a recent trip: The Serenity Spa in the Outrigger Reef was the most disappointing spa experience I have had (over a number of years of spa visits). All the charm of a strip mall 24 Hour Fitness. Very young practitioner who was fine, but new at massage. Amazing to me that it was apparently not under renovation.

The Shiatsu Therapists of Hawaii was in fact, the real thing and very good. Had a treatment by the son, Jonathan, but his father and other family members also are shiatsu practitioners. They also have a ROM machine for anyone who is interested and will demonstrate it.

The spa at the Halekulani is wonderful. It's not large and you must book well in advance if you want to be assured of securing what you want (you also must be a guest of the hotel, unless you have a gift certificate from a guest), but it's an extraordinary experience that I highly recommend.

The Shiatsu Therapists of Hawaii was in fact, the real thing and very good. Had a treatment by the son, Jonathan, but his father and other family members also are shiatsu practitioners. They also have a ROM machine for anyone who is interested and will demonstrate it.

What were the prices at Shiatsu Therapists? Also, what is a ROM machine? As an engineer, I am wondering what they are doing with a Read Only Memory machine at a shiatsu place. :p ;)

What were the prices at Shiatsu Therapists? Also, what is a ROM machine? As an engineer, I am wondering what they are doing with a Read Only Memory machine at a shiatsu place. :p ;)

Shiatsu prices were $50/hr, $30/half hour. Quite resonable by my standards for good body work (I live in SF :)).

The ROM machine is a very expensive piece of exercise equipment that promises to deliver complete results in 4 minutes a day; hence my wish to see one in person: http://www.fastexercise.com/.