Waihua, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

As you walk through the doors of Waihua, the boutique spa at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, notice the heavy door panels carved with images of taro leaves. In the middle is an inset of mother of pearl to replicate water. Ancient Hawaiians believed that waihua, or the water deposited in the taro leaves, is the purest, most heavenly form of water used in healing practices and community ceremonies.

The pathway curves with walls that are gleaming and sections of dry stones are neatly stacked from the floor to the ceiling to echo a riverbed and groves of tall bamboo create the mood of a secluded rainforest. It feels a little like a blissful maze. And as you lose sight of the spa entrance, you also begin to leave the stress of everyday life behind. At that moment, your only worry will be what treatment to choose and pamper yourself with.

The 17,500-square-foot spa features 15 treatment rooms with basalt stone floors, half of which opens to private outdoor shower gardens, and all with iPod docking stations. Separate women and men waiting areas are equipped with plush lounge chairs, orchids and delicate lace curtains. The spa also features two outdoor couples’ hales or cabanas, and the only coed indoor-outdoor relaxation area in Hawaii. A glass waterfall anchors the room and blue tinted sliding glass panels open to a whirlpool overlooking a taro patch garden.

All skin care treatments feature coveted beauty lines Skinceuticals and Eminence, all of which are available in the retail area. In addition to the beauty products and zit-zapping gadgets from Zeno Pro and Clarisonic, there are lovely gift items like Tocca, Bon Chic and Voluspa candles, Maui’s Kula Alii Lavender goods, Hanky Panky lingerie and chic jewelry. The spa’s salon also offers a full range of hair, manicure, pedicure and waxing services, and eyebrow shaping using the technique of master shaper Anastasia from Beverly Hills. For more info, visit the

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua website