Hawaii’s newest spa at the Moana Surfrider

Nov 14, 2008

Sherie Char,

Waikiki has a new beachfront spa—the only one of its kind.

The Moana Surfrider’s Moana Lani Spa opened its doors Oct. 1. Last night was its grand opening party, and HAWAII Magazine was invited.

The 17,000-square-foot beachfront spa offers all you would expect: Jacuzzis, steam and sauna rooms, even couples’ treatment suites. The spa uses an assortment of products, including Malie Organics, a Kauai company that uses organic ingredients from Hawaii (learn more about Malie Organics in “What’s New” in our September/October 2008 issue of HAWAII Magazine).

Besides the pupu (appetizers) and drinks from the Beachhouse at the Moana, we were treated to mini hand and foot massages. I got a foot massage (that’s Tomoko pictured above), while our editor John Heckathorn patiently waited in the longer line for a shoulder massage.

During the tour, we got to see the fitness center and several treatment rooms. The room that intrigued me the most was equipped with a “vichy shower.”

The origin of the Vichy shower can be traced back to France. The extended showerhead contraption has four nozzles, two spouts on each end (pictured below). It allows the therapist to drizzle warm water over your body to wash off the body scrub. The only drawback?

“The therapist can get pretty wet,” says massage therapist Karen-Marie, “but it’s a lovely experience for the client.”